Chapter 63: Chloe York Gloats at Brooke York
Chloe had tried to avoid him, but Ethan Prescott simply changed his path to head straight for her. It was unavoidable, so Chloe held her ground.
"Chloe, come have dinner at my house. My grandma wants to see you." Ethan’s voice was full of anticipation, but also a little apprehensive.
Thinking of Miss Prescott, Chloe realized it had indeed been a long time. She couldn’t bring herself to refuse a request from an elderly woman who reminded her so much of her own grandmother. "Okay!"
He had been worried Chloe would say no, so when she agreed, Ethan was delighted. ’I knew it,’ he thought. ’All I have to do is mention my grandma, Miss Prescott, and Chloe will agree.’
"Ethan." Just then, Brooke York’s voice rang out. Ethan’s smile froze.
The last person he wanted to see right now was Brooke York, especially not while he was with Chloe.
But Brooke, acting as if she hadn’t noticed Ethan’s strange demeanor, walked right up to him and asked, "Ethan, how do you feel about the exam today? I found the last multiple-choice question on the math section really tricky. I chose C. What about you?"
They had compared answers just like this after the first mock exam, but now, Ethan had absolutely no desire to do so with Brooke York.
Hearing them talk about comparing answers, Chloe found herself resistant to the idea as well. It was an easy way to get flustered and ruin your mood.
"I don’t want to compare answers right now. I have something to do," Ethan said, his tone cold and stiff. Then he turned to Chloe, his voice softening considerably. "Chloe, let’s go."
"Ethan, where are you and my sister going? Let’s go together. Mom and Dad will worry if Chloe gets home late." Unhappy to see them leaving together, Brooke York moved to block their path.
"I don’t believe we need to report our plans to you. We’re engaged."
Brooke York froze when she heard him say they were engaged. ’Those words... Ethan should be saying them to *me*, about the two of *us*.’
’We’re the ones who are supposed to be engaged!’
"Ethan, is there some kind of misunderstanding? Weren’t we getting along just fine before?"
"Chloe, let’s go." Ethan chose to ignore Brooke York’s words, stepping around her to leave.
"Alright!" Chloe agreed, turning to leave. But not before shooting a triumphant glance at Brooke York’s darkened expression.
’It’d be a lie to say I’m not enjoying this. Brooke used to give the original Chloe that same smug look all the time, infuriating her to the point of throwing a tantrum. If I hadn’t come here and changed the ending, this body would have suffered the same fate as described in the novel.’
Brooke York watched them leave, stomping her foot in a fit of rage, especially infuriated by the final look Chloe had given her.
"Chloe York, don’t get so smug! I’m waiting to laugh at you after the second mock exam!" After shouting this, Brooke York stormed into her family’s car.
Arriving at the Prescott residence again, Chloe felt like her last visit had been ages ago. ’It’s already been over a month since I came to this world,’ she mused.
’I’ve completely adapted to this identity and this body. I even asked the System if it knew where the original owner went, but it didn’t know either. All it could tell me was that the original owner seemed to have had some kind of awakening and chose to leave this world, which is how I was able to be resurrected in this body.’
The car had barely stopped when Chloe saw Miss Prescott already waiting by the door, looking all around for their arrival. The moment she spotted the car, her face lit up with joy.
"Grandma!" Chloe called out sweetly as she got out of the car.
"Oh, Chloe, you’re finally here! It’s been over half a month since you last came to see me. I’ve missed you so much." The moment Miss Prescott saw Chloe, she was so overjoyed that she rushed forward to greet her.
She took Chloe’s hand and didn’t let go, leading her straight into the house.
"Grandma, I’ve been busy studying for the second mock exam," Chloe explained.
"Even so, you must take care of yourself. You can’t neglect your health just because you’re young."
"I know, Grandma!"
The two of them walked happily into the house, hand in hand, once again leaving Ethan Prescott behind and forgotten.
After what happened last time, Ethan didn’t mind. ’To Miss Prescott, her own grandson is less important than Chloe, her savior,’ he thought wryly.
"Come, I had the cook make lots of delicious food. Eat up. You must be exhausted from all the stress of the second mock exam." Miss Prescott pulled Chloe over to the dining table and gently pushed her into a seat.
Looking at the table laden with delicious dishes, Chloe was deeply moved. ’This is the first time anyone has ever made such a feast just to welcome me.’
After sitting down, Chloe noticed Miss Prescott was still standing. "Grandma, you should sit down too!"
"Yes, alright, I’ll sit down and eat with my Chloe!" Miss Prescott sat down beside her.
"Go on, eat. I’m sure you haven’t been eating properly these last few days. Now that the second mock exam is over, it’s the perfect time to relax and have a good meal. Just look at you. You’ve gotten thinner since the last time I saw you."
Miss Prescott looked at Chloe’s little face, her heart aching for her.
"Okay, Grandma. You eat too."
"Yes, yes, of course!"
Ethan took a seat across from them, watching the kind old woman and the devoted young girl. ’Anyone who didn’t know better would think they were grandmother and granddaughter by blood,’ he thought.
Chloe enjoyed Miss Prescott’s devoted attention, but she felt if she stopped eating for even a second, the food in her bowl would pile up into a small mountain.
After dinner, she sat with Miss Prescott in the living room to rest.
"Chloe, how do you feel you did on the second mock exam? Was it hard? If you felt it was, your grandma will hire a tutor for you." Miss Prescott knew the York Family wouldn’t be concerned about Chloe or her academic performance, so she worried Chloe might be falling behind. If that were the case, she would hire a tutor for her. She was determined not to let Chloe fall behind anyone.
Noticing the worry in Miss Prescott’s eyes, Chloe reassured her, "It was fine, Grandma. I pretty much knew how to answer everything."
"That’s good to hear. I’m sure you’ll get into a great university, Chloe. When the time comes, Grandma will be there to see you off to campus."
"Mhm, I definitely will."
"Chloe, do you think you could come and visit your grandma more often in the future?" Miss Prescott asked, a hint of apprehension in her voice. It wasn’t just because Chloe had saved her life; the more time she spent with the girl, the more fond of her she grew.
’But she isn’t my own granddaughter, after all. I can’t just ask her to come over every day. She’s my savior, for heaven’s sake! How could I possibly try to guilt-trip her into visiting me all the time?’
"Of course, Grandma. I’ll come see you whenever I have time." She genuinely liked Miss Prescott and could feel the warmth and kindness the older woman directed at her.
’Besides, the kindness in her eyes and the affection she shows me are exactly like my own grandma’s. In my heart, I’ve already come to see Miss Prescott as my own grandmother.’
"Mm, that’s wonderful. Just seeing you is enough to make your grandma happy!"
Ethan sat quietly to one side, watching the two of them interact, a smile unconsciously touching his lips.