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In Mandy’s eyes, Chloe was a typical naive, loaded girl who was hopelessly obsessed with romance. As long as one flattered her and played along, they’d get special treatment.
Chloe didn’t even glance up when she heard Mandy’s voice. After ten years of near–starvation, nothing could interrupt her meal.
Mandy looked momentarily embarrassed but quickly forced a friendly smile, reaching out to touch Chloe’s shoulder. “Chloe, don’t you usually like to cat at fancy restaurants-”
Chloe had tensed as Mandy approached. The moment her hand touched Chloe’s shoulder, Chloe grabbed her wrist and slammed her to the floor.
Mandy screamed, “What the hell are you doing? Let go. It hurts. Harry, help me.”
Her arm was twisted behind her back, on the verge of dislocating. She broke out in a cold sweat from the severe pain.
Harry finally snapped to attention and lunged to grab Chloe. But the smooth touch instantly made his heart
race.
Before he knew it, he was on his knees beside Mandy, his wrist caught and his knee throbbing with pain.
“Who are you? Why are you attacking me?” Chloe’s voice rang out crisp and clear.
“What the hell?” Mandy cursed, close to swearing. But when she looked up, she met a pair of razor–sharp eyes that cut straight to the bone.
Chloe stared at her like a venomous snake, her killer instinct palpable. She was nothing like the spoiled, bratty princess from before.
The customers at the nearby tables couldn’t take their eyes off Chloe, jaws practically on the floor.
“Damn, that girl is way too cool. I wonder if she’s single,” one guy blurted out.
His friend mocked, “With looks like hers, you think a nobody like you stands a chance?”
The first guy downed the last spoonful of pasta, raising an eyebrow. “Maybe she’s into guys like me.”
But he didn’t dare approach. Chloe looked like she had a short fuse, and he wasn’t about to risk getting knocked flat on his ass and humiliated in front of everyone.
“Ch–Chloe, it’s me, Mandy,” Mandy stammered. Seeing the unfamiliarity in Chloe’s eyes, she felt a lump of frustration stuck in his throat.
“Mandy? Who’s that?” Chloe frowned. Still, she loosened her grip on Mandy’s wrist.
The owner had just finished cooking another plate of beef pasta when he walked in on this mess. He rushed? over to help the two off the floor.
15:03 Sun, Dec 21
Chapter 2
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“Hey, no fighting! Just talk it out, okay?” he said. ‘Holy crap, she looks all soft and gentle, but damn, she’s fierce,’ he thought to himself.
Harry stood up, his face burning with embarrassment. ‘Getting taken down by a girl? The guys will never let me live this down, he grumbled internally.
But as he caught sight of Chloe’s stunning face, his anger melted away. He extended his hand with what he thought was a charming smile.
“I’m Harry Hoffman. We’re in neighboring classes. We met at the start of the semester. Maybe you don’t remember,” he said.
Chloe’s guard softened slightly, but she ignored his outstretched hand.
“Chloe, it’s me, Mandy. We’re roommates. You can’t have forgotten me,” Mandy said.
A flicker of confusion crossed Chloe’s, but she quickly regained her composure.
‘Right. It’s only been a month since I started college, and the school has just given us a long break. I haven’t spent much time in the dorm,‘ she realized.
“Sorry. I don’t stay in the dorm much,” Chloe replied coolly, her starry eyes distant and detached.
Chloe frowned and stepped back, uneasy with how close Mandy was. She’d instinctively attack when someone invaded her personal space.
Harry awkwardly pulled his hand back, his eyes flickering. “No worries, we’ll get to know each other soon enough.”
Then he plopped down right next to Chloe, acting like they were old friends.
Mandy quickly squeezed between them, smiling and reaching for Chloe’s hand. But Chloe dodged her like she was toxic.
Mandy’s smile faltered. Considering who she was dealing with, she swallowed her irritation and said, “Chloe, why aren’t you wearing makeup? And eating at a place like this?”
She sensed Chloe was different but couldn’t pinpoint how.
Chloe paused, remembering how she’d acted like a spoiled princess. She’d slathered on makeup nonstop to get Shawn’s attention, and she’d always turned her nose up at street food.
- up.
Mandy was just about to say something when she spotted a tall, slim figure outside. Her eyes lit “Shawn, what a coincidence!”
Chloe stiffened, but didn’t turn around. A horrible aura radiated from her, the kind only survivors of unimaginable horror possessed.
In an instant, that aura vanished, leaving everyone wondering if they’d imagined it.
Shawn turned at the sound of his name, seeing Mandy waving with a sweet smile.
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Chapter 2
Shawn said nothing. Instead, he greeted Harry beside her.
“Shawn, look who’s here,” Mandy said. She stepped aside, revealing Chloe.
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Chloe stood in a pure white designer dress, her long hair cascading down her shoulders, radiating elegance.
Shawn looked at her delicate back, his eyes brightening. “Who is this?”
Before Chloe could respond, Mandy burst out with excitement, “It’s Chloe. She looks so stunning today. I almost didn’t recognize her.”
Shawn paused, irritation flashing across his face. This drama queen figured out where I’d be and showed up early to fake a coincidence?’
He glared at Chloe’s back. “Quit with the stalking games. I’ll never be into you.”
His voice was cool and detached, the epitome of an aloof, reserved guy. Then he turned and walked away.
A sly grin spread across his face. ‘Chloe the fool is indeed obsessed with me. I’ll keep her chasing a bit longer. When I finally agreed to marry her, she would be thrilled.’
The thought that Chloe’s billions in inheritance would soon be his made his eyes glint with greed.
“Shawn, why are you leaving? Chloe, go after him!” Mandy shoved Chloe forward, pretending to be concerned. while clearly enjoying the drama.
If this were the old Chloe, she would’ve chased Shawn like a lovesick puppy. But now, she was back from the dead, out for revenge.
She yanked Mandy away hard and, before she could even react, kicked her to the ground.
In her panic, Mandy grabbed the table, knocking over a soup bowl that spilled down her neck, leaving her drenched and pathetic.
“Chloe Yates!” Mandy screamed, shocked and furious.
“Yeah?” Chloe replied coolly as she got up, paid at the counter, and walked out without looking back.
“Wow, that girl’s got attitude,” a man exclaimed. “She’s gorgeous, and that guy’s not interested? He must be crazy.”
Harry stared at Chloe’s disappearing figure, lost in thought.
Mandy looked at Harry, the rich kid she hadn’t snagged yet, her voice sounding pitiful. “Harry…”
“Got stuff to do,” Harry said, getting up and leaving without a second glance at the disheveled, sobbing Mandy.
*****
Chloe strolled down the snack street, staring intently at the food stalls. She clamped her mouth shut, struggling not to drool.
15:03 Sun, Dec 21
Chapter 2
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During the ten years in the apocalypse, she’d eaten garbage, chewed leaves and bark, seen parents trade their own children for food, and watched people devour raw human flesh. Never did she imagine she’d see such a bustling, delicious scene again.
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