The Ex-Wife They Begged To Keep - Chapter 193: Chapter 193

Serena didn't seem the least bit worried about Keith's feelings for her. Watching from the sidelines, Chloe couldn't help but feel that all her efforts were starting to look a little ridiculous.
But after spending time around them, she had to admit that Serena and Keith had a strong bond. Solid enough to carry that kind of trust. No matter what she did, or how hard she tried, she couldn't shake the foundation between them.
'Everything I've done has been pointless,' she realized.
"I'm heading over to Brannon Creative Group tomorrow to pick up my stuff. I'll probably arrive at the studio in the afternoon," Chloe said.
She stood up awkwardly. "Guess we're coworkers now. Hope you can act like a professional on the job."
Without waiting for a reply, she turned and headed upstairs. Serena didn't take it personally. She knew Chloe's harsh words weren't always about being hurtful. More often, they were just armor, her way of protecting herself.
The next day, Chloe packed up her things from the design department. Graham happened to be heading out at the same time and asked where she was going.
"Studio Delune. Ever heard of it?" she replied casually.
The moment he heard the name, Graham's expression shifted. "You're going to work for Serena?"
That was when it clicked for Chloe that Serena had worked at Brannon Creative Group. Of course, Graham knew her.
'So that's it. Someone at the company's been leaking everything to Serena. I knew it,' she thought.
"Yeah, I'll be working with her from now on," Chloe said, not bothering to explain further.
Graham was surprised. He'd always assumed Serena and Chloe didn't get along. "Well, I haven't seen Serena in ages. I'll give you a ride and drop by while I'm at it."
So he brought Chloe to the studio.
Serena had already been told they were coming and stepped out to greet them. "Long time no see!"
Graham smiled as he looked at her. She looked healthier and happier, like life outside the company suited her.
As much as he hated losing a great teammate, seeing Serena pursue her own dream made him genuinely happy.
"But I've got to ask," Graham said, glancing between the two, "you and Chloe—how did you end up getting so close? Don't tell me you met through Mr. Brannon."
'Close?' Chloe almost choked. 'What part of this looks like a close friendship to you?'
Then it hit her. 'Wait a second. The people at Brannon Creative Group... they don't know Serena and Keith are together?'
"You don't know that Serena and Keith are—"
Before she could finish the sentence, Serena grabbed her wrist and gently pulled her behind.
"She was about to say what?" Graham asked, eyebrows raised.
Serena smiled sweetly. "Nothing important. It's been a while since we caught up. But things are busy here today, so I won't keep you. Let's plan a proper lunch soon."
Graham still looked curious, but he picked up on her tone and decided to drop it. He wasn't the type to push when someone clearly didn't want to talk. "Alright, sounds good. I'll leave her in your capable hands. Hope the two of you work well together."
Once Graham left, Chloe turned to Serena, frowning. "You and Keith are officially dating, so why hide it? Why keep things so secretive, like some underground affair?"
"Don't ask so many questions," Serena said with a grin. "For now, focus on learning the ropes here. We've got a lot to sort through, and we'll be counting on you."
Thinking about the messy org chart and all the inefficiencies she'd seen, Chloe knew she didn't have the energy to argue. Serena led her into the office, and the work began.
Over the next few days, Studio Delune underwent a whirlwind of changes. Chloe dove in, revamping systems and offering bold, structured solutions. The changes were big but surprisingly logical.
Before implementing everything, Serena ran the proposals by Keith, who gave her the green light.
"We gotta trust Chloe. She's got serious talent," Serena said confidently.
Chloe lowered her eyes and cleared her throat. "I've always had talent, okay? You guys are just the last to realize it... Don't act like you're doing me a favor."
Things were finally settling into a productive rhythm, until an unexpected visitor showed up at the studio.
"Chloe, someone's here for you."
The man standing at the door looked unfamiliar at first glance, but there was something unsettlingly familiar in his eyes and the curve of his mouth.
She looked up, barely interested. But when she got closer and saw the man's face, the color drained from hers. "Dad? What are you doing here?"
Serena looked mildly surprised. She hadn't expected the man to be Chloe's father. Sterling Whitmore, the same man who once helped Keith, was not the calm, gentle type she'd imagined.
His expression was stormy, voice sharp with disappointment. "So you do remember I'm your father. Amazing. You've been ignoring my calls and texts like you've got nothing better to do. I guess you're feeling pretty powerful these days, huh?"
Serena had imagined a kind, composed father figure. Instead, he seemed hot-tempered and confrontational.
"If I answered you, you'd just use it to guilt-trip me again," Chloe said coldly. "I don't know how you found me, but stop showing up. This is my life."
Seeing the tension, Serena stepped in, trying to ease the moment. "Why don't I go make some coffee while you two talk?"
Sterling ignored her and stared Chloe down with a frustrated scowl. "I sent you here to get close to Keith. Do you have any idea how much Brannon Creative Group is worth right now?
"And what do you do instead? Nothing. And now you're working in some second-rate studio? Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"
Chloe's jaw tightened. "This isn't some second-rate studio. Everyone here works hard, and Serena's brilliant at what she does."
That only made him angrier. He raised his hand and slapped her across the face. "I didn't raise you to stand here and feed me excuses!"
Her cheek stung, but something inside her had already shifted. Chloe stared him down, her voice unwavering. "I never even liked Keith.
"The only reason I ever got involved with him was because you kept drilling it into my head—how perfect he was, how I should marry him. From the start, I've only ever seen him as family."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Sterling growled, teeth clenched. "I didn't send you here to say that crap!"
"Well, I'm saying it now," Chloe said, clear and slow. "Keith already has someone he loves. And I only see him as family. I'm not going to help you scheme for Brannon Creative Group's money, and I won't sabotage someone else's relationship just to get it. Got that?"