Chapter 7: A Slap

When Mortimer arrived at the hospital, he found Chloe sitting there with a bewildered expression, looking fragile and with slightly bluish lips due to the cold.

"Go home for now," Mortimer told her as he approached.

"Mortimer, where is your necklace?" Chloe suddenly asked.

Mortimer was taken aback and then his face displayed anger. "Do you have any idea what you've done? It's at this moment that you're asking about a necklace. Chloe, how have you become so cold-blooded!"

Chloe stared blankly at him and said, "Yes, I'm cold-blooded. That's why I'm waiting here to see how Vivian will agonize when she wakes up."

"Chloe!" Mortimer became angry. His actions came before rationality, and he raised his hand to strike her.

The woman's face turned away as she was slapped, but she remained emotionless, displaying only numbness.

Mortimer was also left in a daze. After so many years, this was the first time he had resorted to violence.

"Are you done? Do you want me to give you another slap?" Chloe asked stubbornly.

"You've gone mad!" Mortimer looked at the woman and suddenly felt somewhat exhausted. How had the gentle woman turned into this?

Seeing the handprint on her face, he felt even more uncomfortable inside.

At that moment, the lights in the emergency room went out, and Vivian, with a pale face, was pushed into the intensive care unit. A nurse said, "The patient's child couldn't be saved. When she regains consciousness, please be mindful of her emotions."

Mortimer let go of Chloe and said, "Are you satisfied now? Do you want to go in and see her?"

A chill emanated from the man, causing a shiver to run down Chloe's spine.

Chloe watched Vivian regain consciousness in the evening. When she saw Mortimer by her side, it seemed as though she had understood something. She spoke with resentment, "I will seek justice for my child."

"No," Mortimer immediately refused.

"Mortimer, this is your child!" Vivian retorted.

"If it weren't for you coming to find me, none of this would have happened. Vivian, concerning the child, I will compensate you," Mortimer said.

Vivian, with hatred in her voice, asked, "Can I have your name, even if nothing else?"

"You know it's impossible," Mortimer said impatiently. He couldn't stand it when the other party failed to understand his identity and constantly demanded more.

"Perhaps you don't know, but my father is Lin Ao," Vivian said quietly, her eyes filled with a snake-like chill.

Mortimer realized something and his expression changed. "The CEO of Zhengxing?"

Just when Vivian thought she had the upper hand, she heard Mortimer say, "Let's try it then. Let's see if your dad can make a move against me."

Chloe returned home, closed the door, and collapsed on the floor. She bit her fists tightly, fearing that anyone outside would hear her cry of despair.

She knew it was time to leave. Her life couldn't end in such sorrow after nine years.

She pulled her suitcase from under the bed, took a look around, and silently packed it. There wasn't much to take with her.

In these nine years, Mortimer had achieved great success and was admired by many. But Chloe had never really wanted anything from him. The only thing she wanted, she didn't want anymore.

Chloe put on her thickest down jacket, gathered her identification and bank cards, and took one last look around before resolutely walking out.