Chapter 4

Before I could even reply, Chloe snatched my phone and slammed it onto the hard marble floor. *Crash.* “Ethan! Are you even listening to us?”

“Derek is offering you a job! You should be begging on your knees in gratitude! People would kill for this opportunity!”

I looked down at my shattered phone on the floor. “I don't need a job, and I don't need his charity. But you are going to pay for my phone.”

She let out a scoff. “Look at you, crying over a cheap phone. How much could it possibly cost?”

“Are you unemployed and too proud to accept our help?”

“Don't worry, we’d only put you on dishwashing or janitorial duty anyway. You don't need to feel guilty.”

She was completely convinced I was asking for money because I was broke. What she didn't know was that I owned this entire mall.

When my wife, Audrey, first took over as the CEO of Summit Enterprises, the greedy board of directors tried to overthrow her. I took over this failing mall, completely turned it around, and secured her position.

Since then, she had left the mall’s operations entirely in my hands.

“I’m asking you to pay because you broke it. That’s just basic accountability. It has nothing to do with my financial status,” I said, too tired to explain. Even if I told her I owned this entire mall, she’d just think I was lying. In her eyes, I would always be inferior to her precious Derek.

“As if a wealthy person would cry over a stupid phone,” she sneered.

“Is that so?”

Before she could even blink, I stepped forward, reached into Chloe’s pocket, snatched her phone, and slammed it onto the marble floor. *Smash.*

It shattered with a loud, satisfying crunch.

The salesgirls and shoppers gasped in horror.

“Since you’re so rich, you shouldn't care about a stupid phone, right?” I asked, echoing her words.

Chloe’s face turned red, then green with rage. “Ethan! Are you doing this on purpose? Is my phone the same as your cheap piece of trash?”

“I just got this! It’s the latest iPhone and cost over fifteen hundred dollars!”

“Well, fifteen hundred dollars is pocket change to you. Surely, Chloe, you won't hold a grudge over something so small?”

Chloe looked around at the onlookers. To save face in front of the salesgirls, she gritted her teeth and forced a stiff smile. “Of course not. I’m not like you, crying over pennies.”

“Perfect. Since you don't mind, I do. I’m just a broke guy, remember? You still owe me for my phone.”

Chloe’s fake smile shattered instantly. “Ethan, I have never seen anyone so shameless and greedy!”

“You smashed my phone and still expect me to pay you? In your dreams!”

“You said you didn't care about the money. I never said I didn't.”

“You...!”

She was completely speechless, her chest heaving with rage.

“Fine! It’s just a phone. I’ll pay you. But since my phone is broken, I’ll transfer it to you once I get a new one!” she spat.

I nodded. “Great. My number hasn't changed. Remember to send it.”

I bent down, picked up my broken phone, and turned to leave. But behind me, Chloe burst into a smug laugh.

“I knew it! You broke my phone just so you could have a valid excuse to get my Snapchat again.”

“If you wanted my contact info, you could have just asked. Why play these childish games?”

“And keeping your number the same all these years... were you waiting for me to come back to you?”

Derek’s face went extremely dark. He stepped forward and yelled, “Ethan! I’m telling you, you and Chloe are over! Don't even dream about it!”

“If you try to ruin our lives, I’ll make sure you regret it!”

“Do I need your mercy? Let me repeat myself: Chloe and I broke up. We have no relationship now, and we never will.”

“Everything she’s saying is just her own delusional fantasy. Running into you today was a pure accident.”

“Don't worry, the moment I get the money, I’ll block her again. I won't pose any threat to your precious marriage.”

I paused, looking Derek dead in the eye with a smirk. “Are you warning me because you’re afraid she’ll fall back in love with me?”

“Are you insecure because you know you’re inferior to me?”

“Bullshit!” Derek roared, his face contorting. “Inferior to you? Then why did Chloe choose me over you in the end?”

He looked like he was about to swing at me.

Chloe noticed his anger and quickly hugged his arm. “Derek, don't let him get to you. He’s just trying to provoke you. A worthless man like him isn't even worth your pinky finger.”

“I chose you, and I will always choose you.”

“No one can ever replace you in my heart.”

Hearing this, Derek’s chest puffed up again, and his expression softened.

I didn't even bother to roll my eyes. I walked past them and straight into the baby store next door.

But Chloe wasn't done. She followed me right in, looking absolutely furious.

While I was carefully picking out diapers and baby formula, she marched over, ripped the package out of my hand, threw it on the ground, and stomped on it.

“Ethan! You refuse a good job from us, but here you are buying diapers? What, are you working as a male nanny now?”

“How pathetic. Look what you've reduced yourself to.”

“I’m warning you, if you ever dare to speak to Derek like that again, I’ll make you pay!”

“Weren't you the one who started this ridiculous conversation?” I asked, unimpressed.

Before she could scream back, a store clerk interrupted us.

“Mr. Carter, your wife sent me to ask when you’ll be done. She wants to know if you've got everything.”

Chloe froze. Her eyes widened in disbelief. “What... what did you just call him?”

“Mr. Carter?”

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