CHAPTER 177: CHAPTER 177: BLAME ME

Chloe Quinn’s engagement day is in October, with a simple engagement party and a grand wedding later.

Florence Fuller accompanied her today to try on dresses for the engagement party.

Chloe Quinn was torn between two dresses she liked, unable to decide, and Florence Fuller advised that if nothing else worked, get both since she could wear them after the wedding as well.

"A wedding has its own clothes." She touched the cheongsam on her body and pulled out her phone from her bag: "Take a couple of photos of me and ask your brother which one he prefers."

Florence snapped two quick shots and sent them to Charles Shaw, and the next second her phone rang.

She handed the phone to Chloe Quinn and took Lily Lancaster’s call.

"Boss, your mother, Ms. Yates, is causing a scene downstairs today."

Florence Fuller frowned. She had returned to SJ, and Laura Yates followed suit. Based on Florence’s understanding of Laura, she wouldn’t make much of a fuss on her own, but with Clara Fuller, who listens to everything she says, it might stir up some trouble.

"Deal with it the same way as a few days ago."

"We told the reception the same thing, but today she isn’t alone. Clara Fuller is here too, making quite a fuss in the lobby, threatening to sue you."

"Sue me?" Florence snorted, "Let her do it, don’t bother with it, and tell the security downstairs from now on not to let either of them in."

"Understood."

Florence hung up the phone, and Chloe Quinn looked over: "He said it’s the one I’m wearing."

Florence nodded: "How about his?"

"His suit is also set." Chloe Quinn still planned to get both dresses. She handed her card to the person beside her, then sighed at Florence: "You know, his job as a TV anchor is tough. It’s not like I can’t support him, but he insists on going for that stressful job."

Florence sensed the underlying meaning: "What, you want him to resign?"

"Not resign, but at least change jobs." Chloe Quinn said: "Your brother has such a nice guy temper; if someone asks him to cover a night news shift, he agrees without thinking. If I hadn’t forced him to move in with me, we’d have barely any time to see each other while dating."

Florence hadn’t interfered much in DN Dawn’s affairs; anything significant rarely reached her. Few people at the company knew about her relationship with Charles Shaw, and she didn’t plan to mention it.

Charles probably didn’t want it known either.

"Don’t they have shifts?"

"What shifts, he’s just always working, recently hoping for some room for advancement, leaving early and coming back late every day."

"If it doesn’t work, just talk to him." Florence smiled: "But if my brother is unwilling, don’t pressure him."

"What can I pressure him for?" Chloe Quinn sighed: "We have talked about this issue, but it’s not like I’m implying I can earn more than him. The main thing is, if he keeps going like this, we won’t have much time together, and the engagement day was squeezed into his schedule."

Florence raised an eyebrow: "I feel like you’re angry at him for not being around enough."

Chloe Quinn didn’t respond, tacitly admitting it.

Florence could actually understand her feelings. At one point she and Ethan Harper had just gotten together, despite knowing each other for years, once they crossed that line into a relationship, they became very attached to each other.

Florence didn’t want to interfere in the relationship between Chloe Quinn and Charles Shaw. How it ultimately develops is something only they will know.

"What I can tell you is to communicate more." Florence remembered that when she was with Ethan Harper, there were times she got moody and unhappy. Ethan would always calmly talk with her once he noticed.

Chloe Quinn sighed, "It’s still easier to communicate in bed."

Florence: "..."

Chloe Quinn raised an eyebrow: "What’s wrong, still shy at twenty-five?"

Florence headed out: "Hungry, let’s eat."

Chloe Quinn chuckled lightly and followed her steps.

They chose a western restaurant, enjoyed some wine with their meal, and then called a driver to head back to Eastern Imperial Splendor Residence together.

As they walked into the lobby, Florence immediately noticed a man waiting in the seating area.

He wasn’t looking at his phone, sitting quietly against the backrest, gazing forward, lost in thought. Under the warm lights of the chandelier, his handsome profile appeared particularly gentle.

Chloe Quinn recognized him too, she had met this man with Florence earlier, and later during a trip to visit Florence in Cloudsea when something happened. He was the one communicating on their behalf.

"Isn’t that... your first love."

Their movements caught Ethan Harper’s attention, and as soon as he made eye contact with Florence, he stood up and walked over to her, his eyes full of tenderness: "Florence."

Today marked exactly a month.

"Your timing is spot on." Florence remarked.

Ethan didn’t answer directly, instead asking: "How have you been this month?"

"Pretty good." Florence headed towards the elevator.

Ethan paused for two seconds, then followed.

Chloe Quinn entered the elevator with them, her gaze shifting between Florence and Ethan, feeling like there was an inexplicable vibe between them when they stood together.

Florence lived a floor below, so she got off first.

"See you tomorrow, goodbye."

Chloe Quinn nodded: "Bye."

As the elevator doors closed, Chloe Quinn mused that it was no wonder Florence wasn’t interested in a playboy like Luke Gardiner, as she already had such a perfect partner in her heart. It was no surprise she wouldn’t be interested in anyone else.

Once inside, Florence turned on the automatic lights. Despite their brightness, the place felt somewhat empty.

Ethan stood at the doorway but didn’t enter.

Florence changed her shoes and gave him a glance: "If you plan on standing there all night, please, go back."

"I won’t go back."

He remained at the doorway.

Tall and imposing, his gentle gaze had turned somewhat stiff.

Florence immediately realized what he was being stubborn about, and took off her coat saying: "I bought this place myself in SJ, living alone."

Ethan’s expression changed instantly, visibly happy.

He had assumed this was her marital home with that person.

"There’s a pair of my brother’s slippers that you can use for now, and switch them out later."

Ethan closed the door, entering the living room, unable to resist embracing the slender figure before him.

"This past month... has been so long." Ethan murmured: "Longer than those three years."

"I missed you so much." His kiss fell on the top of Florence’s head, full of longing.

"We survived those three years, why does a month feel long?" Florence turned to face him, wrapped in his embrace.

"Too long." His tone was tinged with restraint: "I don’t want to be separated from you for that long ever again, not even for a day."

"Ethan Harper." Florence sighed: "I haven’t even gotten a divorce yet, it’s not even easy to do so."

"He’s not worthy of you." Ethan buried his head in her shoulder: "It’s my fault, my fault!"