Chapter 265

Chloe Valentine sat in the classroom, her ears buzzing. The teacher's voice sounded muffled, as if separated by frosted glass.

She fiddled with her freshly manicured nails, the diamonds glittering under the lights.

"Miss Valentine, please answer the question I just asked." The teacher suddenly called on her.

Chloe jerked her head up, confusion written across her face.

A few snickers rippled through the classroom. Someone whispered, "It's her again. She never knows the answers."

Her grip tightened around the pen, her nails nearly digging into her palm.

The moment the bell rang, Chloe bolted from the classroom. She needed an outlet—and shopping was the perfect remedy.

The mall's dazzling array of luxury goods beckoned to her.

Nathan Evans was in a meeting reviewing quarterly reports when his phone buzzed incessantly—one spending alert after another.

He glanced at the screen, a cold smirk curling his lips before shutting it off completely.

Margaret Evans strode into the mall in her stilettos. She checked her watch, brows furrowing.

"Now I have to fetch that little gold-digger," she muttered under her breath.

In the elevator, she adjusted her hair in the mirror. The refined socialite in the reflection wore flawless makeup, but the exhaustion around her eyes was unmistakable.

The classroom was empty. The teacher informed her, "Miss Valentine left half an hour early."

Margaret's face darkened instantly. She dialed Chloe's number, only to be met with endless ringing.

Then, around the corner, a familiar figure came into view.

Chloe emerged from the Chanel boutique, arms laden with shopping bags, a satisfied smile on her face.

Margaret's gaze locked onto those unmistakable orange bags, and fury erupted within her.

"Chloe Valentine!"

Her sharp shout turned every head in the mall.

The shopping bags hit the floor with a heavy thud.

"Who do you think you are? Squandering my son's money like this!" Margaret's voice was shrill and piercing.

A crowd quickly gathered, phone cameras trained on them.

Chloe's face drained of color. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

"Look at her, everyone! A shameless gold-digger!" Margaret jabbed a finger at her. "Spending a man's money on all these bags—do you even deserve them?"

Camera flashes lit up the scene. Chloe instinctively raised a hand to shield her face.

Her fingers trembled. The fresh manicure now seemed unbearably garish.