Domineering Love
Chapter 450 - 451: Lies

Chapter 450: Chapter 451: Lies

William Griffith fell silent for a moment before speaking in a serious tone, "Cherish, I’m out socializing right now. Let’s not eat together tonight. You should go home early on your own."

Her excitement suddenly deflated, she tightly gripped her phone and replied quietly, "Then I’ll have dinner at home, drink less alcohol."

He acknowledged her with a grunt before hanging up the phone.

Cherish Turner stood dumbstruck in place for a moment, just about to walk away when she saw a tall figure coming from the building and walking straight ahead. His back was turned to her, and he didn’t see her. But she could recognize him at a glance.

Cherish held her phone tightly as she rushed forward a few steps, standing there all alone.

So, William Griffith would lie too.

William went to Chloe Turner’s home, but it was not Chloe who opened the door, it was the housekeeper.

When the housekeeper saw the visitor, she was startled and asked hurriedly.

William claimed he was there to visit Chloe. Seeing his distinguished appearance and imposing demeanor, the housekeeper naturally let him in when she found out his surname was "Griffith." She quickly informed Chloe, only to return and say, "Sir, Miss Turner says she’s a bit tired and wants to rest, so please go back."

William’s eyebrows raised in clear displeasure. Ignoring the housekeeper’s attempts to dissuade him, he barged in.

"Sir!" The housekeeper called out anxiously, but she couldn’t stop him.

The bedroom door was closed, while the door to the study next door was ajar, leaving just a crack.

William strode forward and stood in front of the study door. He gently pushed it open and saw Chloe semi-reclining on the windowsill, holding a glass jar filled with candies in her arms and a book in her hands. The yellowed cover was wrapped in a clear plastic floral sheet, having been preserved for an unknown number of years, bearing the evidence of time.

Once, the girl in a school skirt had held this book close and flashed it before him.

"William, do you know Tshangyang Gyatso?"

"He was the Sixth Dalai Lama. But I think he was a poet, and he wrote such beautiful poems."

"That day, closing my eyes amidst the incense mist in the temple, I suddenly heard the sacred words in your sutra chanting; that month, I spun all prayer wheels, not seeking deliverance, just to touch the tips of your fingers; that year, prostrating on mountain roads, not for an audience, but to feel your warmth; that lifetime, circling mountains, rivers, and stupas, not for rebirth’s sake, but to find you again on my journey..."

That day, that month, that year, that lifetime.

She had recited that poem back then, her bright eyes sparkling, her laughter so radiant.

But now, her demeanor was no longer radiant, her emaciated face barely recognizable from its bygone vivacity. Only the faint furrowing between her brows remained, a testament to her pride and stubbornness.

Hearing footsteps, Chloe looked up silently. Her gaze caught sight of the black leather shoes and involuntarily tightened with a grip on her book. Her eyes followed the path upward, until they finally met his. Not knowing what to say, she only knew that what was left of herself was pale, emaciated, and unattractive.

Chloe hastily raised her hand to cover her face, refusing to let him see her unsightly appearance, and hurriedly said, "I already told you I wanted to rest!"

After a long silence, William spoke in a heavy tone, "I was just passing by and wanted to check on you. How about we have dinner together tonight?"

Chloe clenched her lips tightly, struggling to find the right words to ask him to leave but couldn’t utter them.

"Miss Turner, the meal is ready." The housekeeper stood outside the study and timely interjected.

"I won’t be polite then." William responded and walked towards Chloe, looking down at her, "Chloe, let’s have dinner together."