Back From Prison, Built For Revenge - Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Yael's arrival drew everyone's attention in the dress shop. He walked toward Chloe, his gaze fixed on her as if she were the only person in the room. Chloe remained expressionless, slightly lifting her head, locking eyes with him.
"Sorry I'm late," Yael's voice was low and gentle, but it carried an undeniable authority.
Yolanda flashed a sweet and fawning smile. "Yael, you're just in time! We're picking out dresses, and Chloe is the star of the day!" She pretended to be very close to Chloe, but her tone was subtly sarcastic.
Yael didn't spare her a glance. He simply reached out his hand and gently grasped Chloe's cold fingers. His touch was gentle, yet irresistible. Chloe froze, instinctively trying to withdraw her hand, but he held it tighter.
"From now on, no one will be able to bully you," he said, looking down at her, his tone calm but as firm as a vow.
The room was dead silent. Yolanda's smile froze, while Quella and Xena stared at the scene in disbelief.
The crowd of onlookers could no longer hold back their murmurs. "What's going on? Mr. Foster is actually standing up for Chloe?" someone asked, clearly surprised.
"Do they really have an engagement?" another replied.
Various speculations and whispers surged like waves, but Yael seemed to hear none of it. He glanced at Quella and Xena, his eyes carrying an icy pressure.
"Who was insulting my fiancée just now?" His voice was light, but it sent chills down their spines.
Quella instinctively took a step back, slightly frightened, "Mr. Foster, you might have misunderstood. I was just joking, with no ill intentions."
Xena hurried to add, "Yes, we would never dare offend Ms. Quinn. If what we said upset her, we ask for her forgiveness."
Their words seemed to be an apology, but completely shifted the blame. However, their little tricks didn't fool Yael.
He looked at them coldly, with a mocking expression. "Misunderstanding? Do you want me to have someone record what you said and play it back for you?"
That merciless statement made Quella and Xena's faces change instantly. They wanted to defend themselves, but Yael's sharp glare made them fall silent.
"Security," he said calmly.
The mall security immediately rushed over. The head security guard cautiously asked, "Mr. Foster, is there something you need?"
"Escort these two ladies out," Yael's tone remained calm, but every word was laced with undeniable authority. "From now on, they are not allowed to appear here."
The security guard paused for a moment but quickly reacted. Several guards moved to block Quella and Xena.
"Yael, how dare you do this!" Quella could no longer contain her anger. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at him. "I am from the Lambert family! You are provoking the Lambert family!"
Yael raised an eyebrow and looked at her. "Then you can have your father come talk to me. But until then, leave."
His attitude was icy, with no room for negotiation. Quella trembled with anger, but faced with someone as dominant as Yael, she had no way to resist. She could only angrily mutter, "You'll regret it," and stormed off.
Seeing this, Xena could only follow behind her in silence. For a moment, only Yael, Chloe, and the awkward Yolanda remained in the dress shop.
Chloe lowered her gaze to the fingers Yael was holding. His large hand with distinct knuckles made her feel a strange discomfort. She gently tried to pull her hand back, but he didn't let go.
"Enough," Chloe lifted her head and looked at him coldly. "What you're doing is just making me more uncomfortable."
Yael furrowed his brows, his gaze filled with curiosity. He released her hand but didn't step back. Instead, he whispered, "The ones who should feel uncomfortable are those who tried to humiliate you, not you."
His voice was low but carried a strength that made it easy to believe him. However, Chloe simply glanced at him indifferently before leaving.
Demi quickly followed, cautiously asking, "Miss Quinn, where shall we go now?"
"A café," Chloe replied in a calm tone, "I need some time to be alone." Demi nodded silently, not asking any more questions, and quietly followed behind her.
Yael stood there, watching her retreating figure, his eyes flashing with a complicated emotion. After a moment of contemplation, he slowly followed her.
At the café on the third floor, near the window, sunlight poured in, making the table bright and warm. Yet, the warm sunlight couldn't ease the coldness deep within Chloe's heart.
She picked up her coffee cup and took a small sip of the bitter, cold liquid, then turned her gaze to the bustling crowd outside the window.
The hurried figures passing by seemed like scenes from a play unrelated to her, and she was merely an observer, with no place to belong or participate.
Demi sat across from her, carefully observing her but unsure how to break the silence.
Just then, a familiar yet unpleasant voice suddenly came. "Chloe, why are you drinking coffee here alone? After such a big scene earlier, I've been so worried!"
Yolanda walked in, wearing an elegant and well-tailored dress that made her look like a delicate doll, but her big, smiling eyes hid a trace of gloating, making her seem insincere.
Chloe set the coffee cup down without turning her head or speaking, only ignoring Yolanda with a cold attitude. However, this indifference didn't make Yolanda back off. On the contrary, her smile grew even brighter.
"Chloe, I heard that Quella and Xena were kicked out just now. Well, they really don't know how to behave, always saying things carelessly. But don't worry, I'll definitely teach them a lesson for you, so they won't dare to offend you again!"
Though her words sounded like Yolanda was standing up for Chloe, every word seemed to remind those around her that what happened earlier was all because Chloe had angered others, leading to such a scene.
Demi couldn't help but frown and stepped forward, blocking Yolanda. In a tone full of warning, she said, "Miss Stone, if you don't have anything important to say, please don't disturb Miss Quinn's rest."
Yolanda paused for a moment, then showed a pitiful and innocent expression. "I'm just concerned about Chloe. Don't be so harsh..."
Another familiar, even sharper, voice interrupted, "Well, some people, with powerful figures backing them up, have become so arrogant, acting so high and mighty!"
Quella appeared again, her exquisite makeup unable to hide the jealousy and anger on her face, instantly filling the café with a tense, charged atmosphere.