Chapter 557: Chapter 557: Let’s Not Contact Each Other Anymore
Preston Vance pushed up his glasses and offered a gentle smile. "Where are you headed? I can give you a ride."
An embarrassed look appeared on Annie York’s face. "No, no, it’s alright. I can just take the subway."
But Preston Vance said, "I haven’t been in touch with Chloe lately, and I don’t know how she’s doing. I’m not sure if I did something wrong, but she hasn’t spoken to me in a long time. I was hoping you could help me."
"Huh?" A look of surprise immediately crossed Annie York’s face. "How could that be? I remember you and Chloe getting along so well."
Preston Vance gave a helpless smile. "I wish I knew why. So, are you willing to help me?"
He gazed at her gently, his expression completely unthreatening.
Annie York remembered that Preston Vance had sent someone to rescue her last time. Considering the circumstances, she felt she couldn’t refuse.
After thinking it over, she finally nodded. "Alright then. I’ll do my best."
Preston Vance smiled warmly. "Get in the car first. We can talk as we go."
"Okay."
Annie York lived in the old district, nearly an hour’s drive away. During the ride, she told him pretty much everything about Chloe Reed’s situation.
Preston Vance listened, his refined and handsome face showing no particular expression, but his eyes behind the lenses held a deeper meaning.
Her grandmother was still here, even living with her at Jardinelle, yet she had lied and told him her grandmother was gone.
’Why would she lie to him?’
She had suddenly started to distance herself from him.
’Did I do something to make her unhappy?’
Preston Vance couldn’t figure it out, but he didn’t let it show. After dropping Annie York off, he called Chloe Reed.
The phone rang three times before the other end picked up.
"Hello?"
A soft female voice came through, but it was tinged with a faint aloofness.
Preston Vance’s tone was as gentle as ever. "Chloe, have you been busy lately? I haven’t seen you in a while. I was hoping we could get a meal together."
The person on the other end of the line was silent for a moment before saying tactfully, "I’m sorry, Preston. I really am a bit busy lately. I don’t think I’ll have time to have a meal with you."
Preston Vance’s grip on his phone tightened. "What are you busy with?"
On her end of the line, Chloe Reed was clearly taken aback. She never would have thought that someone as modest and polite as him would actually press the issue.
For a moment, she was silent.
"I’m sorry." Preston Vance also realized he was out of line and sighed helplessly. "I’m just a little puzzled as to why you’ve suddenly been avoiding me."
He stopped beating around the bush and asked the question directly.
Chloe Reed was silent for a long while, a hint of confusion appearing in her clear eyes.
’She couldn’t understand it. How could he ask a question like that?’
’Has he gotten addicted to this act?’
’Isn’t he perfectly aware of what he’s done?’
Last time, he was the one who sent people to drug her in an attempt to kidnap her. And it wasn’t just any drug; it was a knockout drug laced with an aphrodisiac.
If Daniel Hayes hadn’t been following her, the consequences would have been unimaginable!
She had originally planned to just maintain a semblance of civility and cut off contact, but here he was, still putting on an act for her!
Chloe Reed’s tone grew even colder. "Preston, there are some things I shouldn’t have to say so bluntly. We both know perfectly well what you’ve done. We’re not on the same path. It would be best if we don’t contact each other again."
With that, she hung up the phone.
Listening to the dial tone, Preston Vance was completely stunned.
’Know perfectly well about what?’
’What did I do?!’
He was so angry he could have laughed. He even felt a bit resentful. He thought Chloe Reed was being completely unreasonable!
