Chapter 66

After Naomi left, Jason again reminded Chloe that she didn't need to worry about Brendan's meals. Chloe remained silent until both Naomi and Jason had left. Only then did she seek out Brendan. She knocked on his office door. Brendan immediately sensed something was wrong. He asked, "Did you run into Naomi?"

"Yeah," Chloe replied hesitantly. "I had prepared lunch for you, but Naomi…" Before she could finish, she stopped herself.

Brendan's gaze lingered on her.

Chloe quickly changed the subject. "Brendan, are we still going to the cemetery this afternoon?"

"Yes."

"In that case, I'll prepare some things first."

Suddenly, Brendan said, "Stay away from Naomi."

Chloe hesitated, then whispered, "Alright."

Brendan returned to Yellowind Bay around 9:00 p.m. Naomi had arrived earlier, as usual. She greeted him casually, "You're back."

Brendan hung his coat and asked, "Did you throw away Chloe's food today?"

Naomi, still smiling, said, "Do you want a packed lunch? I'll have Jennifer prepare something for you tomorrow. You can have whatever you want."

At Naomi's nonchalant response, Brendan said coldly, "Naomi, don't pick on the weak."

Naomi chuckled. She stopped walking toward him, folded her arms, and stared at him before saying, "If I don't pick on her, who will you protect?"

Brendan gave Naomi a cold glance. Her amusement intensified. She wanted to say something, but ultimately smiled and remarked, "If you're worried I'll do something to her, then have a child with her! You can move out and live with her then."

Naomi said this with a smile, but her true feelings were complex, especially after seeing Brendan's mocking glance.

Brendan remained indifferent. "You can forget about having children," he said.

The smile on Naomi's face faded, and the atmosphere grew tense. He had been questioning and warning her since entering the room; she had responded with smiles, but could no longer maintain the facade.

As they stood in tense silence, Brendan's phone rang. He answered the call.

Chloe's voice immediately followed, "Brendan, I left my bag in your car. Are you free? Can I come pick it up?"

Brendan replied, "I'll bring it down in half an hour."

Chloe's voice brightened. "Okay, Brendan, I'll be waiting."

Brendan ended the call and gave Naomi a cold look before leaving the bedroom.

Naomi chuckled with a mocking smile. He had claimed he only owed Chloe a favor—Naomi didn't believe it.

When she heard the car start, Naomi noticed flower petals—chrysanthemum petals—near the door. She picked them up. Brendan had gone to the cemetery that day, and Chloe had been with him.

As Naomi examined the petals, her phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number.

Naomi calmly answered, and a panicked voice exclaimed, "Naomi, help me!"