My heart tightened abruptly. I thought to myself that fate really had a twisted sense of humor. Hugo and I had managed to cross paths so unexpectedly in the vast city of Sris, of all ces.


    Four or five years had passed, but he was still the same. He wore a sinister expression that masked itself with a smiling facade, like a tiger with a deceptive grin.


    But suddenly, he dropped the mask, revealing his true colors.


    I maintained myposure and looked at him coolly.


    Ardie sensed that something was amiss and nced at me. "What''s wrong?"


    "Nothing," I replied indifferently.


    Hugo suddenly smirked maliciously, "What do you mean, ''nothing''? Looks like you''re still veryposed after repeatedly meddling in my affairs. ''Nothing''? You''re very confident, Ms. Chloe. What gave you the audacity to do all this?"


    I looked at him with a cold smile on my face. "You''re involved in all sorts of shady dealings. Of course I''m confident in what I do."This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    I had never been one to mince words, especially not with garbage like him.


    "Haha..."


    He nced at Ardie, perhaps recognizing his imposing presence. His eyes shifted. "We''ll settle the ounts from many years ago sooner orter."


    "You''re right, I remember it well. It''s time to settle the score, and I don''t mind bringing Fred along. Pick the time and ce. I''ll be waiting. But of course, I can also call him right now and settle this on the spot." I stared him down assertively.


    His sinister eyes locked onto mine, and a woman emerged from behind him. When she saw the tense atmosphere, she looked at me skeptically, leaning on him as she asked, "Who is this, Hugo?"


    Hugo remained silent. He couldn''t seem to find the words to exin.


    "Just you wait," he said cunningly.


    "I''ll be waiting." I scoffed.


    With that, I strode out. Ardie fixed his icy gaze on Hugo and followed me as we left.


    But the moment I stepped out of the restaurant, felt my heart racing. If it weren''t for my divorce with Matthew and my desire to be a bigger sess, I would never have


    wnovel.ne


    recklessly contacted Hugo im Sris


    again. Content belong he


    The events of that year were still vivid in my memory, and every time I thought about it, a shiver ran down my spine.


    Hugo deserved to be sent to prison.


    Ardie noticed that I was behaving strangely, so he reached out to support me and asked, "Chlo, what''s wrong?"


    "It''s nothing. I met him when I came to Sris for business before. Unpleasant things happened between us. It''s okay. Let''s go," I briefly exined. Ardie embraced me and settled me in the car. When I got into the car, I couldn''t shake off a strange feeling, as if someone was watching us.


    I quickly scanned my surroundings, but there was no sign of anything unusual. Yet, that peculiar sensation remained clear.


    After Ardie got into the car, he asked, "Do you want to go back to the office, or should I take you home to rest? Or maybe apany you for a stroll?"


    I quickly replied, "Just take me back


    to the office. I haven''t finished this morning''s business, so I won''t leave yet. I''ll clean up the matters at hand. I''ll so that we don''t have to wonder when he might show up again."


    "Alright. I''lle pick you up when you finish work."


    "You don''t have toe get me if you''re busy. Just give me the address, and I''ll manage. I can take a cab. You don''t have to treat me like a child."


    "You just got here, and you''re not familiar with the area yet. I''ll feel at ease when you''re more acquainted. Besides, As insisted on this. He''s worried about you, and you know it."


    I smiled shyly, yfully saying, "Okay. I''ll count on you then, dear brother."


    Back at the office, I called As and


    told him that I wouldn''t be going back today. He immediately sounded disappointed, but he understood that if Archie had


    brought me to meet someone, it must have been for a good reason.


    He said regretfully, "Alright then. Tell me your flight details and call me anytime."


    After hanging up, I immersed myself in work. After reviewing all the necessary materials, my work in Sris reached a temporary conclusion.


    After some contemtion, I nced at the time and decided to give Fred a call.


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