Back From Prison, Built For Revenge - Chapter 21: Chapter 21

When Chloe's gaze met Carlos's, her heart skipped a beat.
The soft lighting in the private room couldn't hide the sharpness in his eyes. Carlos's appearance shattered the romance atmosphere that Yael had carefully created.
"It looks like you two are having a good conversation," Carlos's voice was low, with a trace of barely noticeable sarcasm.
Yael smiled, leaning casually back in his chair. "Mr. Lambert, do you want to join us?"
Chloe said nothing, but instinctively gripped her coffee cup. The cold ceramic gave her a slight sense of calm. She raised her head and looked at Carlos. "What are you doing here?"
"I was passing by," Carlos answered casually, but his deep eyes were fixed on her. "I didn't expect to run into you two."
"Such a coincidence," Yael said lightly, with a hint of provocation in his voice. "Since we've met, why not join us?"
Carlos didn't respond to him but walked directly to their table, sitting in the seat opposite Chloe. His posture was graceful, yet it carried a sense of pressure.
The waiter quickly brought over a cup of coffee. Carlos took a sip, then said calmly, "I heard you're planning to go to Seaview soon?"
Chloe frowned slightly. This was something she had been hesitating about and hadn't decided yet, and she didn't know how to respond.
Yael jumped in, "Well, I also have plans to develop in Seaview. Ms. Quinn, if you're willing, we can go together." His voice was gentle and considerate, as though painting a picture of a bright future.
But to Carlos, it sounded like a declaration of war. He set his cup down and coldly glanced at Yael. "The environment in Seaview isn't great. It's damp and cold in the winter, not suitable for long stays."
Yael chuckled lightly. "Mr. Lambert, you seem to have a bias against Seaview. But from what I know, its economic development is strong, and the infrastructure is well-developed. In comparison, some other areas seem to have stagnated."
The exchange between them made the atmosphere tense. Chloe, caught in the middle, felt uneasy. She set her coffee cup down and spoke calmly, "I haven't decided whether to go to Seaview yet. Everything is still under consideration."
"It's wise to think things through before making a decision," Carlos stared at her, his tone now carrying a warning. "After all, some choices, once made, have no turning back."
Carlos's gaze was fixed on her. Chloe simply raised her eyes to meet his, saying, "Everyone must take responsibility for their own choices. I will do the same."
With a meaningful smile, Yael seized the opportunity to speak, "In that case, I'll look forward to your decision soon. And, I do hope your choice will allow me more opportunities to accompany you."
The words were clearly a provocation aimed at Carlos, and as expected, his expression shifted with anger. "Mr. Foster, you seem to have a lot of free time. Instead of spending it with others, maybe you should focus more on your family business."
"Thanks for the advice, but my business doesn't need someone else to worry about," Yael retorted, "By the way, Mr. Lambert, I heard you've been busy preparing for your wedding. I wonder if Ms. Stone is satisfied?"
The words made the air instantly more tense. When Chloe heard the word "wedding," her fingers trembled slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.
"My business is none of your concern," Carlos said coldly, his tone filled with dissatisfaction and warning.
Yael didn't mind. He turned to Chloe, teasing, "Looks like we should hurry up then, or once someone settles down, there won't be a chance to interfere with our relationship."
The casual remark made Chloe feel disgusted. She stood up, her voice icy and decisive. "Enough. I don't want to listen to your meaningless argument." With that, she turned and walked away, not sparing anyone another glance.
The room fell into a brief silence. Yael watched her leave, the smile on his face slowly fading. He murmured, "It seems she doesn't want to be bound by the past. I quite admire that."
Carlos didn't respond. He stared at the coffee cup in front of him, his fingers slowly tightening around it. After a moment, he stood up and walked out of the room.
The night air was slightly chilly.
When Chloe stepped out of the café, the black Maybach was already parked at the entrance. The driver respectfully opened the door, but she didn't get in. She stood there, taking a deep breath, letting the cold air wash away her frustration.
"Do you need a ride?" A low, familiar voice came from behind.
She turned around to see Carlos standing a few steps away. His expression was still calm, but his eyes seemed more complicated than before.
"No need," she said flatly. "I'll take a cab."
"Why do you always refuse my help?" He stepped forward, closing the distance between them. "Can't you trust me, even a little?"
"Trust?" Chloe chuckled, her smile full of sarcasm. "Three years ago, when I was framed and sent to prison, did you trust me? Or did you prefer to believe the lies that were told?"
His expression shifted slightly but quickly returned to normal. He stared at her, as if pleading. "I will get to the bottom of that incident and give you an explanation. But for now, please don't treat me like an enemy, alright?"
She shook her head. "You're not my enemy, but you're definitely not my friend. From now on, it's best if we just keep our distance and stay out of each other's way."
With that, she turned and hailed a cab, giving him no chance to respond.
As the cab door closed, she closed her eyes, sealing away all her emotions. Outside, he stood there, watching the car drive away, his fingers slowly clenching into a fist.
Meanwhile, Yael sat in the private room, seemingly casual as he played with his phone. But he was keeping a close eye on everything outside. When he saw Carlos return alone, he couldn't help but smile knowingly.
"It seems you didn't win," Yael muttered quietly, his voice laced with a touch of mockery and confident assurance.