Chapter 4

Liam was still at his company, working late.

He started his own studio in his senior year of college, and now it had grown considerably, making his work exceptionally busy.

I sent him a SnapChat message: "Going back to my dad's tonight. Won't be home."

I needed to go back and ask my dad if Chloe was his recommendation to the company.

After arriving home, I first went to the living room to pay my respects to my mom's memorial, then headed to my dad's study.

But he wasn't there?

"Mrs. Jenkins, where's my dad?"

"Miss Anya, Mr. Sterling hasn't been home for a few days."

I called him, but his phone was off.

I tried contacting my dad's secretary, but his phone was off too?

The next moment, I scrolled through Ins and saw Chloe's post: "Was supposed to work late, but someone couldn't bear to see me so tired. Taking a private jet to the next city for a French feast~"

The photo showed the interior of a private jet.

Just one look, and it seemed familiar.

Very much like *our* family's jet.

I glanced at my mom's memorial, a mix of emotions swirling inside me.

My mom had passed away from massive blood loss during the birth of her second child.

In all these years, my dad hadn't remarried. Not because his love for my mom was so profound, but because he found remarriage too troublesome, and one daughter was enough for him.

And to honor my mom, he even let me use her maiden name.

My dad was a notorious playboy CEO. Since my mom's passing, his gossip column mentions outnumbered even those of the usual tabloid fixtures.

Initially, the paparazzi loved following him, but they eventually realized their scoops couldn't keep up with his pace of changing girlfriends, so they just gave up.

Could Chloe really be involved with my dad?

The absurd thought sent a chill down my spine.

No way, absolutely not.

Chloe had been obsessed with Liam for so long, she couldn't suddenly fall for my plump, easygoing father.

Since my dad wasn't home, staying in this huge mansion by myself was pretty boring. I had the driver take me back to the small place Liam and I shared.

The moment I walked in, I bumped right into him. Liam smelled faintly of soap.

He picked me up and settled me onto the couch. I didn't move, just nestled in his arms.

A sigh escaped me; if only time could stop.

He brushed the stray hairs from my forehead and tucked them behind my ear. "Anya, you seem a little down today?"

I thought for a moment, then decided to tell him about Chloe parachuting into our company.

Liam didn't know I was the daughter of the Sterling Group CEO.

And we had a silent understanding not to delve into each other's backgrounds.

After all, if too many things got mixed into love, it wouldn't be pure anymore.

To my surprise, Liam then told me something even more shocking. "She called me today too. I didn't pick up at first, so she called my company directly. She said she was going to get revenge on me. Looks like she really found herself a sugar daddy?"

Liam spoke in a calm, flat tone, and I could tell he didn't take Chloe's threats seriously.

Of course, he was fiercely independent and proud.

I had always assumed Liam was a genius but from an ordinary family, so I couldn't help but worry about him.

"What if Chloe really hooked up with that Mr. Sterling, and whispers in his ear? Couldn't that jeopardize your company?"

Besides, this kind of thing wasn't uncommon. Plenty of passionate young entrepreneurs try to make their mark in the cutthroat business world, but many eventually get acquired or monopolized.

Liam patted my shoulder. "Relax. Don't you trust me? She can try her best."

Liam was brimming with confidence, but I couldn't bear to see the company he'd built with his own hands ruined by a woman like Chloe.

Forget it. If it came to it, I'd just have to come clean with my dad.

Thinking that, I felt a little lighter.

The next day, both Chloe and my dad were indeed absent from the company.

The excuse was a business trip, but everyone knew perfectly well that it was…

Three days later, Chloe, arm-in-arm with my dad, made a grand entrance at the company.

They got out of the same car, and my dad personally escorted her to her office door.

I stood far off in the crowd. My dad was beaming like a blooming flower, and Chloe was playing the role of the demure, devoted girlfriend.

So, this was their public debut?