Chapter 173
Chapter 173
The term "second-hand woman" made Alexander frown.
Chloe thought she had said something wrong that upset him.
"Mr. Alexander?" She quickly asked, "Did I say something wrong?"
Alexander sighed helplessly.
Why was this woman always so self-deprecating?
Chloe was puzzled. She asked again, "Or do you have any other requirements for me?"
Alexander remained silent.
Chloe continued, "Mr. Alexander, just say it. You've done such a big favor for me and my daughter.
Whatever the request, I'll agree."
Alexander frowned, "You could be a bit more confident, stop referring to yourself as a 'second-hand
woman', and stop being so self-deprecating."
So that was what made him frown.
Chloe smoothed her hair at her ear and chuckled awkwardly, "Am I not the so-called 'second-hand
woman' after my divorce? That's what my ex-husband used to say."
"That's because he didn't respect you. Your divorce was a helpless choice." Alexander understood her
completely.
"Ah, it's okay, I'm used to it."
"But you can't just consider yourself a 'second-hand woman'."
No wonder he always thought she lacked confidence.
Perhaps it was because she was so accustomed to being belittled by her ex-husband, Oliver Lewis.
Alexander looked at her and said, "So, by your reasoning, after my divorce, am I a 'second-hand
man'?"
"How could you possibly be a 'second-hand man'?" Chloe completely disagreed with his view.
"Although you're divorced too, you're a handsome and talented man many women wish for but can't
have. In your high society, many rich women must wait for your divorce, rushing to marry you."
He wasn't like her. After her divorce, she was penniless, no longer had her youthful figure.
And she had two children.
She really had become an unwanted "second-hand woman".
Of course, the purpose of Chloe's divorce wasn't to find the next man but to escape from the dilemma
and start a new life.
Alexander didn't agree with her view either.
He said, "We're both divorced. Why don't you consider me 'second-hand', but you consider yourself
'second-hand'?"
Chloe gave a self-deprecating laugh, "Who would willingly be a 'second-hand woman'?"
This was just the helplessness of life. NôvelDrama.Org owns this text.
Alexander looked at her and said thoughtfully, "I disagree with your view. Who said that after divorce,
you must be a 'second-hand woman'? A woman as good as you, many good men would fight to marry.
Only a jerk wouldn't appreciate you."
Oliver was a jerk.
This wasn't the first time Alexander had called her a good woman.
Chloe had an indescribable feeling in her heart.
She felt recognized.
With Oliver, besides caring for the children and doing housework, she was useless.
So, there were people who thought she was a good woman. She was touched.
Her heart was full of scars, like a withered flower.
Alexander's comforting words made the loss in her heart disappear instantly as if the withered flower
was regaining vitality.
She shyly smiled and said, "You always know how to comfort people."
Alexander replied, "I'm just telling the truth."
Compared to Hazel Dawson, Chloe was indeed thousands of times better.
Today, Chloe was in a particularly good mood.
Even the passing scenery seemed more beautiful to her.
Especially the reflections of those rows of skyscrapers.
Normally cold and lifeless, they seemed lively today.
As they were chatting, the car arrived at the office building that Chloe and Roxanne Martinez rented in
Urban Sun Village.
The car stopped outside the small street.
Chloe said, "Mr. Alexander, you can drop me here. Your car is too conspicuous in the Urban Sun
Village, and it's inconvenient to park. I can walk in myself."
Alexander said, "It's okay, my driver is skilled. I'll take you in."
The driver heard this and immediately drove in.
They arrived at the office building.
Seeing a Rolls-Royce coming, the employees working on the first floor stopped their work to watch.
After all, they were just working in a small foreign trade company.
The cars used in the company were all the cheapest ordinary models.
This was a Rolls-Royce!
This was a luxury car worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
And one of the company's bosses, Chloe, was the one who got off this super luxury car.
What surprised everyone even more was that the distinguished man in the car personally opened the
door for Chloe.
In front of the car, Chloe expressed her gratitude to Alexander again.
Alexander smiled gentlemanly, "Don't think I've helped you. You've also helped me. We've helped each
other. Can you come home with me tonight?"
Home?
At night?
Chloe's relaxed and happy eyes suddenly became tense.
Alexander smiled, "You didn't misunderstand me, thinking that I wanted you to spend the night with me
at home, did you?"
"I..." How could Chloe admit that she had indeed misunderstood him?
"Don't worry." Alexander explained, "I just wanted you to come over."
Because no matter where he lived, even if he lived in a hotel outside, Hazel would know his
whereabouts. She was like a private detective, deliberately tracking him.
Then, she would follow as soon as she knew where he was going at night.
After a round of entanglement, Alexander felt exhausted.
Chloe guessed, "Is Hazel Dawson going to bother you again tonight, so you want me to help you get
rid of her?"
"Smart!"
"No problem. Are you still living in Grandeur Meadows? After work today, I'll have Amelia pick up the
kids, and I'll come over."
"I'll pick you up."
"No need." Chloe quickly waved her hand, "I can find the way. You don't have to come personally."
"As a pretend couple, it needs to be more realistic."
He could have his driver pick her up. He just thought it would be more polite to come in person. After
all, he was asking for her help.
Chloe bought it, thinking he needed a more genuine effect, so she agreed.
Only after Alexander returned to his car did Roxanne come out to wave goodbye to the departing
Alexander.
They exchanged a few words.
As the car slowly drove away, Roxanne patted Chloe on the shoulder and said, "Looked like you two
are dating now, huh?"
"What?"
Chloe brushed off Roxanne's hand from her shoulder, "Mr. Alexander just helped me solve a problem
with Aria School and gave me a lift here."
Roxanne nodded thoughtfully and then smiled.
Chloe asked, "What are you laughing at?"
"Nothing."
"Were you laughing at me just now?"
"No, I just think you and Mr. Alexander seem to have some chemistry."
"Don't talk nonsense, Mr. Alexander is a big deal. How could he possibly be into me?"
"So you're saying you wish he were into you?"
"When did I say that?" Chloe tried to act angry, glaring at Roxanne.
But Roxanne only laughed harder, "We've been friends for over 20 years. What's there to hide?"
"Anne, if you keep making stuff up, I'll get mad."
"As long as you and Mr. Alexander really get together, I don't care how mad you get at me."
"You're still blabbering nonsense." Chloe tickled Roxanne, making her burst into laughter.
The two playfully fought.
Roxanne coughed, "Okay, we're in the office. People are watching."
Just then, Chloe's phone rang. The caller ID showed it was Mr. Alexander.
Roxanne took a look and joked, "Mr. Alexander just left, and he's missing you already!"
"Stop making stuff up." Chloe made a shushing gesture and picked up the call.
Roxanne reacted quickly, switching the phone to speaker mode.
Chloe tried to stop her, but it was too late.
The sunny and gentlemanly voice of Alexander came through the phone.
"Chloe, you should have more faith in yourself. Stop thinking you're a second-hand woman. If you can't
find that confidence, you might want to start by changing your appearance. You could wear light
makeup every day to look more spirited and beautiful, and it might boost your confidence. Just a
suggestion."
"Thank you, Mr. Alexander," Chloe replied.
"Actually, you look really good with makeup," Alexander added.
Chloe was speechless.
"Anyway, I've got to go now. See you tonight," Alexander said.
"See you tonight," Chloe responded.
After hanging up, Roxanne laughed, "You two have a date tonight?"
Chloe didn't answer. She was still processing Alexander's words - she would be beautiful with makeup.
Really?
Would she really be beautiful with makeup?
Chloe didn't usually wear makeup, but now, she suddenly wanted to try it.
She grabbed Roxanne's hand, "Anne, teach me how to wear makeup. I don't know how."
"I offered to teach you before you divorced Oliver, but you never had the heart to learn. Now Mr.
Alexander says one thing, and you're ready to learn?"
Roxanne teased Chloe, "They say a woman will dress up for the man she likes."
Looking at Chloe, Roxanne said, "Chloe, don't tell me you're starting to have feelings for Mr.
Alexander?"
"I can't be bothered with you." Chloe glared at her and then made a quick exit. She ran to her desk and
started working.
Roxanne also returned to her desk. She glanced at Chloe, who was daydreaming, and then texted: Are
you feeling guilty?
Chloe's heart skipped a beat at these words. Her fingers landed on the keyboard, and she replied,
"What do I have to feel guilty about?"
Roxanne texted, "You're not being honest."
Chloe replied, "I have to work."
Roxanne replied, "Just don't be distracted."
At 6:30 that afternoon.
Alexander arrived on time at Urban Sun Village to pick Chloe up for his house.
When the car arrived at the company, it was still as eye-catching as ever.
People were all looking at it.
Roxanne had just finished doing Chloe's makeup.
Chloe had really good skin. She didn't need heavy makeup, just a light one to cover the freckles,
brighten her complexion and apply some red lipstick, and she was already stunningly beautiful.
Her features were exotic enough to amaze the crowd.
It's just that over the years, getting married and having kids, her face was full of freckles, which had
covered up her beauty.
"Chloe, just some light makeup, and you'll look like your young self."
"But won't makeup make me look older?"
"Nonsense! The cheap makeup you used to use made you look older."
Chloe was silent.
"Look, it's very natural, right?"
Roxanne handed Chloe a mirror.
Chloe was amazed by her reflection. She had no freckles on her face, her complexion was brighter,
and she did look beautiful.
Even her smile was full of confidence.
Chloe said, "Mr. Alexander was right. To regain confidence, you have to start with your appearance."
" Chloe, you're always mentioning Mr. Alexander. Has he moved into your heart?"
"No way."
"Look, Mr. Alexander is here."
Chloe walked out.
Alexander was standing at the entrance of their company. He was wearing a suit when he came at
noon, but now he had changed into sportswear.
Chloe asked him why he had changed his clothes.
Alexander thought for a moment and replied, "I went to the boxing gym with a friend, had a few rounds,
then took a shower and changed."
Actually, this friend was Harrison Rodriguez.
He wasn't good at lying.
He felt he was lying because he had concealed his relationship with Harrison.
So when he answered Chloe just now, he was a bit embarrassed.
Chloe just responded with a simple "Oh", and Roxanne behind her waved at them.
"Chloe, get in the car with Mr. Alexander already, don't dilly-dally. If you can't make it back tonight, I'll
look after Aria and Austin for you."
Alexander turned to her, "Tonight, I might really need you to babysit Aria and Austin."
"No problem," Roxanne agreed instantly. "I'll pick the kids up, and you two go have your lovey-dovey
time. Don't worry about me being unable to handle the kids, and I've got plenty of experience."
She had helped Chloe with the kids plenty of times before.
Chloe glared at her, "Roxanne, we're pretending to be lovers."
"All right, pretending to be lovers, happy now? Get in the car."
Once they were in the car, Alexander looked at Chloe.
She had put on makeup?
Her face was dotted with freckles every time he'd seen her before.
She was such an ordinary-looking woman. Who would have thought she could be this beautiful with
makeup on?
He stared at her for a few seconds.
Chloe lowered her gaze, not daring to meet his, "I put on makeup. Does it look unnatural?"
"Not at all. Your beauty has its unique charm." Alexander smiled and asked, "Did you put on this
makeup, especially for me?"
His laugh was soft, but full of allure, as if stirring something in her heart.
She felt her heart flutter.
How should she respond?
If she said yes, she would feel nervous.
If she said no, she would be lying.
She chose not to answer.
Alexander chuckled softly, his laugh full of masculinity and allure, "I'll just assume you dressed up,
especially for me. You look really beautiful."
But as a gentleman, Alexander didn't continue to stare at her.
He looked ahead, "Do you feel more confident after dressing up?"
Indeed, she did feel more confident, but also more nervous.
Chloe nodded.
Alexander said, "Later, I'll ask my friend who does cosmetic treatments if he can remove the freckles on
your face. You'd still be beautiful without makeup if they can be removed."
"No need to go to that trouble."
"It's no trouble. I want you to be more confident."
They chit-chatted for a bit, then fell into silence.
Alexander didn't say anything more, and Chloe was completely silent too.
Plus, she was sitting a bit far away.
Alexander looked at her and said with a smile, "I'm not going to eat you. Why are you so nervous?"
"I'm not."
"What can I do to make you relax?"
"Do I not look like your girlfriend now? Will it expose the truth in front of Hazel?"
"What do you think?"
The answer was obvious.
Chloe asked, "Is Hazel still waiting for you at your door today?"
"Yes, she waited the whole afternoon at my door, just waiting for me to get back."
"Then, let's do this." Chloe said, "When we get to your door, let's walk in hand in hand?"
They arrived at the complex and bought some vegetables and fruit.
When they got into the elevator, Alexander took Chloe's hand, making her tense up immediately.
"What are you nervous about?" Alexander said with a smile, "Wasn't it you who said we should walk
back hand in hand?"