when she left he went crazy (Hope and Christopher)

CHAPTER 103

← When she left, He went crazy

Chapter 103: Why Should He Decide When to Go Public?

Chapter 103 Why Should He Decide When to Go Public?

I stood paralyzed for a moment, feeling a swirling mix of pity and contempt for the man before me..

His sincerity was a mystery, and frankly, I didn’t want to figure it out either. Anyway, soon enough, we would have nothing to do with each other.

I sniffed and forcibly shook Christopher awake. “Take your medicine before you sleep.”

Maybe he knew it was me, so Christopher accepted the offered medication without resistance. Once the medicine was down, he settled back into sleep, still burning with an unyielding fever. I fetched some ointment from Barry and carefully applied it to the inside of Christopher’s wrist. Only when his fever finally began to subside did I retreat to my

own room.

Due to Christopher’s physical foundation and young age, by morning his fever had broken. However, he instructed the servants to bring in several custom–made evening gowns in the afternoon. According to Barry, Christopher wanted you to attend a banquet with him tonight.

I raised an eyebrow, puzzled. In three years of clandestine marriage, Christopher had never taken me to any social. event unrelated to the Valence family. He always faced the world alone.

Barry nodded. “Yes, it’s for Mrs. Lewis’s 80th birthday celebration, you know, from the Patel family.”

In an instant, the pieces clicked. Christopher wanted to parade me in front of the Patels, dissuading any lingering notions I might have of entering their family.

Ridiculous.

Christopher was only normal when he was sick.

I frowned, asking, “Where is he?”

“In the study…” Before Barry could finish his sentence, I strode away and entered the room he was in. “Christopher, are you crazy? I told you, Cecil and I are just friends.”

Halfway through my sentence, I felt like a deer caught in headlights, as Christopher was in the middle of a video conference. Flush with embarrassment, I faltered, confronted by Christopher’s dark, mischievous eyes and the amused faces on the screen.

“Is that your Hope? Hello, Hope!” On the computer screen, someone I didn’t know greeted me enthusiastically. “Hope, are you planning a fling? You’d be the most audacious person I know.”

Caught by the man, now I had to front it out. “No, you guys continue your meeting, please.”

“Out.” Christopher’s voice was calm and I assumed he meant me, but instead, he abruptly end the video call. R approached me. “Are you this angry about the Patel family banquet?”

G

Listen

Dark

曲

Setting

Rewards

Chapter 103: Why Should He Decide When to Go Public?

I looked up at Christopher, mocking, “You’re going too far. Christopher, don’t think so poorly of me. Even in breakups, people need time to cool–off, let alone in divorces. I’m not like you; you don’t need to be so guarded.”

“Hope Royston,” Christopher looked at me with a faint smile, uttering, “haven’t you noticed that you don’t think very highly of me either?”

“Besides that, what other reason could you have for taking me to the banquet?” I said coldly.

Christopher’s eyes darkened. “To show you why I’ve been telling you to stay away from Cecil.”

I shot back, “He’s far better than you, in any case.”

Regardless of Christopher’s insinuations, Cecil had never wronged me–had even aided me multiple times.

Christopher’s expression froze into an icy sneer. “We haven’t even divorced yet, and you’re already defending him. I warned you he isn’t to be trusted, and you should stay away from him. Haven’t you listened to a word?”

My anger flared and I raised my voice, “Why do you slander my friend in front of me? And what about you? Did you believe what I told you? Evelyn Valence caused the death of my baby, and I

haven’t seen you stay away from her!”

“Slander him?” Christopher’s eyes flared with fury, his face a mask of controlled rage.

The way anger so easily ignited within him now gave me an unexpected sense of satisfaction. “Isn’t it true? Christopher, you told me that everything needs evidence.”

With that, I turned on my heel and walked toward my room. Behind me, Christopher, barely containing his temper, spat out two words, “Six o’clock.”

I replied without looking back, “Got it.”

The reason I agreed had little to do with Christopher. My mind floated back to the image of Cecil being humiliated at the altar. If Charlotte aimed to disgrace him again tonight, this time I would be there to stand by him.

After all, I was still the mistress of the Valence family. Why not take advantage of this?

After taking a shower and getting ready, I put on some delicate makeup.

For such an occasion, a touch of elegance was crucial, so I selected a knee–length, black embroidered dress that showcased my straight, slender legs, striking the perfect balance between simplicity and sophistication.

At precisely six o’clock, not a minute more or less, I descended the stairs in my lambskin high heels. Christopher, catching the sound, looked up, and a flicker of amazement passed through his eyes. Rising to his feet, he said simply,

“Let’s go.”

The driver had already brought the car to the door. Seeing Christopher and me, he quickly got out and held the car door open. I slid in first, moving to the furthest side and stared out the window. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

The ride was silent. As we neared the Patel family residence, Christopher suddenly handed me a jewelry box. “For you.”

I took it and opened the lid to reveal an exquisite emerald necklace, a piece clearly more fitting for my dress than the

Chapter 103: Why Should He Decide When to Go Public?

one I wore. Without hesitation, I removed my original necklace and attempted to fasten the new one. It took several tries, but I just couldn’t manage it.

Suddenly, Christopher took the necklace from my hands and fastened it around my neck, and the unexpected touch sent a shiver down my spine.

Unable to stand the sensation, I asked, “Is it done yet?”

“Yes. His hands withdrew right after my question, and the emerald lay gracefully on my collarbone, its gentle sway

catching the light.

As Christopher pulled back, I noticed his wrist and turned slightly, watching as he calmly pulled down his shirt sleeve

to cover the wound.

I pressed my lips together and asked softly. “Doesn’t it hurt?”

Christopher smirked, a flicker of detachment in his eyes. “Not really.”

Our conversation halted as the car came to a slow stop in front of the Patel family estate. Outside, Charlotte was personally welcoming guests, while Cecil stood nearby, tall and elegant. The evening air seemed to wrap him in an icy shroud.

As I stepped out, my eyes met Cecil’s from across the way. His frosty expression softened, eyes warming with a smile. I mirrored it with a gentle curve of my lips in greeting.

Christopher missed nothing. Amusement colored his anger as he extended his elbow, murmuring, “Link arms.”

I met his gaze, unmoved. “No.”

Why should Christopher decide when to keep our marriage secret and when to go public?

Intent on walking away, I made to step forward, but before I could, a figure emerged from another car, breezing past me and linking her arm through Christopher’s.

“Christopher, she purred, “I knew you were waiting for me.”

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