Back From Prison, Built For Revenge - Chapter 17: Chapter 17

The kind words of Evelyn echoed in Chloe's ears, but she was no longer the spoiled heiress she once was.
As Chloe stepped out of the living room, she saw Demi waiting by the door, holding a small suitcase. Demi's face was filled with concern. "Miss Quinn, are you really leaving? Without any financial support, life will be tough."
Chloe took the suitcase with a calm tone, as if talking about someone else's matters. "It's better than staying here." She lowered her head to check her bank balance, only to find the account frozen.
"They're really heartless, leaving me no room to breathe," Chloe's lips curled into a sarcastic smile, but the fatigue in her eyes betrayed her.
Demi bit her lip, softly advising, "Maybe you could discuss it with Mrs. Evelyn Stone again? She might be able to help—"
"No need." Chloe coldly interrupted. "I don't need to rely on anyone anymore."
At that moment, Yolanda walked down the stairs in her high heels. She wore a pure white dress, looking beautiful and innocent. But Chloe knew that she was far from as pure as she appeared.
"Where are you going, Chloe?" Yolanda smiled slightly, her tone carrying an unmistakable smugness.
"It's none of your business," Chloe replied indifferently, then dragged her suitcase, ready to leave.
"Chloe," Yolanda suddenly raised her voice, "Grandma specifically asked us to have breakfast together today. You're not leaving so soon, are you?"
Chloe stopped, not turning around, but coldly asking, "What are you up to?"
"I just hope you can spend more time with Grandma." Yolanda blinked innocently, but Chloe found her act utterly nauseating.
"Fine, I'll see what you're up to." Chloe turned, handed the suitcase to Demi, and walked straight to the dining room.
In the dining room, the table was filled with delicious breakfast dishes, each giving off a tempting smell. However, the atmosphere at the table was far from as pleasant as it appeared.
Chloe sat by the window, silently eating. She noticed Hayden sitting across from her, his head lowered as he ate, not looking at anyone. Next to him, Peter and Phoebe were chatting casually about family business.
"Chloe, this shrimp is your favorite." Yolanda suddenly picked up a shrimp and placed it on Chloe's plate, her gaze holding a meaningful glint.
Chloe stared at the shrimp but didn't eat it. She was allergic to seafood, and since childhood, even a small bite would cause severe rashes and itching. But almost no one in the family knew about this.
"Thank you, I don't like seafood," she said, pushing the shrimp aside.
Hayden, who had been silent, suddenly looked up and asked, "Are you allergic to seafood?"
His question immediately silenced the table. All eyes turned to Chloe, but she simply answered calmly, "So what?"
"Then why didn't you just say so earlier?" Hayden furrowed his brows. He seemed to have figured something out but didn't continue asking.
"Even saying it won't change anything," Chloe put down her fork and wiped her mouth with a napkin. "If there's nothing else, I'll leave now."
As she stood up, she suddenly felt a sharp itch on her arm. Looking down, she saw a rash spreading across her skin. She must have accidentally eaten something that had seafood on it.
"Your arm... " Hayden noticed the rash on her arm and, with a complex expression, reached out to check, but Chloe quickly pulled away.
"None of your business," she snapped, then hurriedly left the dining room. But just as she reached the hallway, a familiar, weak voice suddenly called out.
"Hayden, I'm feeling a bit unwell..." It was Yolanda. She was leaning against the wall, looking weak. "Can you take me back to my room?"
At that moment, everyone's attention was drawn to Yolanda. Seizing the opportunity, Chloe quickly left the Stone Villa.
Back at her temporary residence, the rash had spread to her shoulders and neck. Chloe took off her jacket, turned the faucet to the coldest setting, and tried to relieve the itch by washing the affected areas with cold water.
This method could only provide temporary relief. She still felt unbearably hot. She looked at her reflection in the mirror, her pale face and stubborn eyes, which were strikingly similar to how she looked three years ago when she was imprisoned.
Back then, she was alone, with no one to rely on. But now, she had learned how to face everything on her own. No matter how much hardship she faced, she would not easily fall.
After showering, she lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking. As long as she stayed in Dawnridge, she couldn't escape the Stone family's control. And Carlos's appearance made everything more complicated and unpredictable.
With these thoughts in mind, she closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and forced all the chaotic thoughts deep inside.
Just then, her phone ringing, it was a call from Maverick. He asked to meet her that evening, saying he had important news to share.
In an upscale nightclub, Carlos, dressed in a sharp suit, sat at the center of a private room, chatting casually with a few friends.
His movements were elegant and composed, but only he knew it was all just a facade. The person he truly cared about wasn't here, but somewhere else, enduring pain and struggle.
Just then, the door was suddenly pushed open, and Hayden stumbled in, clearly drunk. He had his arm around a hostess and shouted loudly, "Carlos! It's been a while!"
Carlos furrowed his brows, signaling for the others to leave. He then helped the stumbling Hayden to the sofa. "How did you get this drunk?"
"I'm just happy!" Hayden patted Carlos' shoulder and suddenly leaned in, whispering, "Tell me honestly, which my sister do you like? Is it Yolanda... or that fake one?"
Carlos paused, then quickly regained his composure. He didn't answer, merely picking up the wine glass and gently swirling the liquid. He then said slowly, "If you've drunk too much, don't talk nonsense. Be careful what you say."
Hayden laughed loudly. "I think the sooner some things are said, the better." After saying that, he collapsed onto the sofa and quickly fell asleep.
Carlos stood up and looked out the window at the neon lights in the night. He clenched his fist, his complex expression turning resolute. It seemed that some things needed to be decided quickly.