On the Day I Was Kicked Out of the Wealthy Family, I Had a Flash Marriage with a Tycoon-Chapter 111: Reeking of Gunpowder

Chloe Kensington’s eyes were filled with jealousy. She snorted, "That little bitch actually has some tricks up her sleeve, getting President Lockwood to bring her to this kind of event. Is she trying to announce her status? She has no idea what she’s worth. Just wait and see how she makes a fool of herself!"

Phoebe Sinclair sneered, her eyes full of scorn, also waiting to see Chloe Sterling make a fool of herself. After all, someone of her status would have never had the chance to enter such a high-class event before.

It was, in fact, Chloe Sterling’s first time attending such a reception. The powerful international figures she’d encountered in the past had invited her on numerous occasions, but she had always refused. She had a reserved personality and was unwilling to engage in superficial small talk with strangers.

Tonight was no different. Faced with the greetings and pleasantries of Crestfall’s many influential figures, she remained perfectly composed, yet distant.

She was the perfect embodiment of an ice queen.

"Look at her putting on that act! If President Lockwood hadn’t brought her, who would even give her the time of day!"

Chloe Kensington’s expression soured. She had just been so enthusiastic greeting those same influential people, yet not a single one had paid her any attention.

Yet here was Chloe Sterling, a country bumpkin, putting on such an aloof act in front of everyone. ’Compared to her, I’m lower than a country bumpkin!’

’Of course, this is all because of Jasper Lockwood. If only I could marry Tristan Sinclair, then these people wouldn’t dare to ignore me.’

Chloe Kensington reached into her purse, her fingers closing around the small white vial. Suddenly, her resolve hardened. ’I really should be bolder. If a country bumpkin like Chloe Sterling can get her hooks into Jasper Lockwood, why can’t I marry Tristan Sinclair?’

Phoebe Sinclair’s voice sounded in her ear. "Find the right moment and act immediately."

Chloe Kensington nodded. "Okay, don’t worry."

Just then, the doors to the ballroom opened again. Two bodyguards entered first, followed by the tall, imposing figure of Silas Coldwell.

Chloe Sterling was slightly taken aback. ’Why is Silas Coldwell here?’

In contrast to her surprise, Jasper Lockwood was completely unfazed. He had known all along that Silas Coldwell would be here.

Silas Coldwell’s gaze swept past Jasper Lockwood before landing on Chloe Sterling. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. ’She actually came to a reception? She never used to attend events like this.’

’And dressed so... eye-catchingly.’

Seeing him staring intently at Chloe Sterling, Jasper Lockwood’s face darkened with displeasure, and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder again.

Jasper’s sudden movement pulled Silas Coldwell from his thoughts, and his expression hardened. He strode forward and sneered, "President Lockwood, long time no see."

Jasper Lockwood’s expression was an icy mask of indifference. He ignored him completely.

The few people standing nearby looked visibly awkward.

They knew the two men didn’t get along, but they had expected them to at least maintain a veneer of civility. They hadn’t anticipated the tension would be this palpable.

Silas Coldwell paid no mind to Jasper Lockwood’s attitude. His gaze returned to Chloe Sterling as he extended a hand, a smile playing on his lips. "Hello, beautiful. My name is Silas Coldwell. And you are?"

Chloe Sterling: "..."

The onlookers: "..."

’This President Coldwell of the Nocturne Group really is unconventional, daring to hit on another man’s woman right in front of Jasper Lockwood.’

Chloe Sterling said nothing, but her eyes warned Silas Coldwell not to mess around.

Silas Coldwell simply smiled at her, signaling back with his own gaze.

While others couldn’t decipher their silent exchange, Chloe Sterling understood his meaning perfectly. Though Silas Coldwell was going up against Jasper Lockwood, he wouldn’t expose her identity.

Everyone knew Silas Coldwell had come to Crestfall looking for Lynn Chester. If he acted as if he already knew Chloe Sterling, it would inevitably arouse suspicion. So, he was intentionally pretending not to know her, deliberately hitting on her. People would just assume he was trying to provoke Jasper Lockwood. Even if he kept approaching her in the future, everyone would attribute it to his rivalry with Jasper.

In a way, he was protecting her.

Jasper Lockwood, of course, understood this as well.

Chloe Sterling glanced at Jasper Lockwood. "I’m going to the restroom."

"Okay. I’ll wait for you on that sofa," Jasper Lockwood replied, letting go of her.

Chloe Sterling turned and headed for the restroom.

Jasper Lockwood walked over to the sofa and sat down, taking a glass of wine from a passing waiter.

Silas Coldwell remained where he was, grabbing a glass of wine from a table and exchanging a few words with someone nearby before clinking glasses.

Watching this unfold, Phoebe Sinclair smiled. ’It seems Silas Coldwell has noticed Chloe Sterling after all. He just hasn’t made his move yet.’

"Isn’t that Silas Coldwell? He’s at the reception too!" Chloe Kensington’s face lit up with delight. "Was he just hitting on Chloe Sterling? Do you think he’s going to make a move on her?"

’Chloe Sterling isn’t exactly my enemy,’ she thought, ’but I just can’t stand her type—a total country bumpkin.’

Phoebe Sinclair’s eyes gleamed as she smiled. "Perhaps tonight will be an auspicious night."

’Ideally, while I’m with Jasper Lockwood, Silas Coldwell will snatch that bitch Chloe Sterling away. After tomorrow, I’ll be Jasper Lockwood’s woman. As for Chloe Sterling... after being carried off by another man, Jasper probably won’t want her anymore.’

A moment later, Silas Coldwell’s phone rang. Guessing who it was, he set down his wine glass, moved to a secluded corner, and answered. "Hey, babe, why do you have to be so secretive when you talk to me?"

As he spoke, he shot a provocative look at Jasper Lockwood.

Jasper Lockwood noticed him on the phone, and from the look on Silas’s face, he knew exactly who was calling.

On the other end of the line, Chloe Sterling asked, "Silas Coldwell, what are you doing at this reception?"

"I’m opening a branch here in Crestfall, so naturally I need to build some local connections. Is that a problem? I’m the one who organized this reception to begin with."

"What?" Chloe Sterling was surprised. "You organized this? Then why..."

"Why did Jasper Lockwood invite you?" Silas Coldwell scoffed. "He did it on purpose, of course. I told you he’s a devious bastard, not a good guy. He’s just using you to get under my skin."

"And you putting on that whole show at The Medical College and sending him the photos—weren’t you using me to get under his skin, too?"

"So, we’re six of one and half a dozen of the other. Why do you have to choose him?" Silas Coldwell had never been able to figure it out. "Do you just like that cold, stony face of his? If that’s your type, I can do that, too."

"Forget it. You two do whatever you want." Chloe Sterling hung up.

Silas Coldwell: "..."

At that moment, Jasper Lockwood stood up and headed toward the restrooms.

Chloe Sterling was walking down the hallway after leaving the restroom when Jasper Lockwood suddenly appeared before her, his handsome face tinged with displeasure.

Chloe Sterling wasn’t happy either. Jasper Lockwood knew Silas Coldwell would be here but hadn’t told her; he had clearly done it on purpose.

"Were you just on the phone with Silas Coldwell?"

"You knew Silas Coldwell would be here, didn’t you?"

They both questioned each other at the same time.

Jasper Lockwood answered first. "I knew."

"So you brought me here on purpose?" Chloe Sterling demanded.

Jasper Lockwood had done it on purpose. He wanted more people to know she was his wife. He wanted Silas Coldwell to face reality.

"Just because he’s here, does that mean you can’t be?" Jasper Lockwood’s phoenix eyes darkened as he stared at her, his voice low. "Chloe, do you really not care about him at all?"

Chloe Sterling froze, her expression turning colder. "What are you trying to say?"