Chapter 100 Does Chloe Need to Be Jealous
Curtis was taken aback.
Sonya shot back, “This patent is jointly owned by you and Curtis. So why can’t he use it? Besides, after you got married, if Curtis hadn’t worked so hard to make money, do you think you would have had the time to focus on patents?”
Have the time? Chloe let out a cold laugh.
During their three years of marriage, she had poured herself into helping Curtis get his business off the ground. Otherwise, why would this be the only patent she had to show from that period?
“So, you’re saying Green Tech is what it is today solely because of Curtis‘ ability and the money he made?” Chloe asked.
“What else? Even if you had research experience in the military, so what? Starting a business is completely different. It demands vision, guts, and connections. Do you think money grows on trees?” Sonya said bluntly.
Even though Ethan had previously told Sonya outright that Chloe had multiple research achievements in the military and was an expert in drone technology, Sonya had always assumed he was exaggerating.
Chloe smiled and glanced at Curtis. “You’re right. Starting a business does take vision, courage, and connections. Money doesn’t just grow on trees.”
Back then, for Curtis‘ sake, she had leveraged every connection she had and taken part in nearly every major company decision.
On more than one occasion, Curtis made reckless choices that could have thrown the company into immediate crisis, but it was Chloe who persuaded him to change course.
Yet now, according to Sonya, all the credit belonged to Curtis.
“So, it’s only natural for Curtis to use a patent you developed after you were married,” Sonya said. “He contributed too. It’s not just your patent!”
“Fine, if you think Curtis is so capable, go ahead and keep believing that. Just don’t be surprised if he ever hits hard times. Let’s see if you’ll still stand by him then,” Chloe snapped.
She knew that once the investment conference officially started, she would make Curtis realize that her patent wasn’t so easy to exploit.
“Chloe, you’re just jealous of Sonya,” Willow sneered. “A rising tech star like Curtis dumped you and chose her. You really lost out!”
Curtis frowned at Willow’s words, feeling as if they painted him as someone who got rich and then
abandoned his wife.
He was about to speak when Brian cut in first.
“Does Chloe need to be jealous?”
The sound of her name on his lips instantly silenced everyone. Willow nearly bit her tongue.
Brian’s words made it clear that Chloe was now with him. As the head of the Steele family, he far outmatched a rising tech star who had only recently made a name for himself.
Chloe had no reason to feel jealous.
Curtis‘ face flushed with embarrassment. He had worried people would think he was the type to get rich and leave his wife, but now it seemed he was the one being left behind.
Chloe had found someone far better than him, and in comparison, he felt utterly pathetic.
Sonya forced a weak smile. “The depth of a relationship isn’t measured by how much a man has, but by how much he’s willing to give. If he has 100 dollars and only gives you one, that’s hardly worth anything.” Brian’s voice was pointed. “Well, it seems Mr. Green has given Ms. Miller quite a lot. He even used money he earned while married to buy her all sorts of jewelry.”
Sonya felt her face flush. It was because of that jewelry that people had labeled her a homewrecker.
She had poured so much effort into restoring her reputation with that plane flight over the island, only for Brian to dredge it all up again, rendering her hard work meaningless.
“Furthermore, anything I own, Chloe can have if she wants it,” Brian added.
Everyone was stunned.
Brian was the head of the Steele family, and no one could even begin to fathom the full extent of his wealth and influence.
“So, if Chloe wanted the Steele Group itself, would you give it to her too, Mr. Steele?” Sonya asked, her voice carrying a hint of challenge.
Brian offered a half–smile, then turned to Chloe. “If you want it, I’ll give it to you.”
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.
Even Chloe was caught off guard. She hadn’t expected him to say something like that. Even if it was
meant as a joke, it was clear just how much he respected her.
“No, thank you,” Chloe replied. “If I want something, I’ll get it myself.”
Many in the crowd nodded in agreement, assuming his words were merely for show.
But whether sincere or not, they made one thing clear to everyone -Chloe was incredibly important to
Brian.
“That’s right,” Brian said. “A woman like you earns what she wants through her own efforts. Unlike some
Chapter 100 Does Chloe Need to Be Jealous
people who always rely on others.”
3/7
Sonya’s face burned crimson, and even Willow shifted uncomfortably. His words were a direct slap in the
face to both of them.
The investment conference was about to begin.
One by one, corporate representatives stepped forward to announce their company and the projects they were proposing for the island’s development.
Representatives would each put forward their proposals, but the ultimate decision lay with the government officials and the two major partner groups, the Steeles and the Qualls.
Curtis kept his head down, eyes fixed on the proposal in his hands.
He was surprised to see that Chloe had stayed. If he presented this proposal in front of everyone, she would realize it was the very one she had written before she resigned.
All this time, he had never considered Chloe’s work anything special. At best, she was a competent project manager.
But after she left, none of the company’s new proposals for the island development project had managed to capture the Yarfdale government’s interest.
It was only when he submitted Chloe’s old proposal just to fill a slot that it was unexpectedly chosen. He had barely touched the plan, only changing ‘riverbank‘ to ‘island‘.
The thought of Chloe listening to him present her work made Curtis uneasy.
“Curtis, you don’t look too good. Are you feeling okay?” Sonya asked, standing beside him.
“I… I’m fine,” Curtis replied, though his eyes unconsciously found Chloe’s across the room, and a wave of guilt hit him.
Just then, the conference host announced, “Please welcome Mr. Curtis Green, CEO of Green Tech, to present his company’s project proposal!”
Applause filled the room, and Curtis felt his heart sink.
