Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth! - Chapter 182

Chapter 182: Victory
Chloe lounged on her luxurious white couch, one leg crossed over the other, a steaming cup of coffee in her hand.

The soft midday sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. But she wasn’t paying attention to any of it.

Her eyes were glued to the television screen, her lips curling into a pleased smile as she watched the news anchor report:

“Lawyer Sherlock’s tragic suicide has confirmed what many suspected. His confession, found at the scene, clearly states that Hunter Stone is responsible for his father’s murder. Authorities are now discussing the next steps in ensuring justice is served…”

Chloe let out a small, satisfied sigh, taking a slow sip of her coffee. It’s settled. Hunter had no way out now.

Her phone buzzed beside her, and without looking, she picked it up and dialed a familiar number.

Derek answered on the second ring.

“Hello, sweetheart,” he greeted in his usual lazy drawl.

Chloe smirked. “Did you see the news?”

Derek let out a chuckle. “Of course, I did.”

“Then you know it’s done,” she said, her tone smug. “There’s no way out for Hunter now. No one will believe a thing he says after this. It’s over and we’ve won.”

Derek hummed in approval. “I told you, didn’t I? You were just being paranoid for nothing. Everything is going exactly as planned.”

Chloe leaned back against the couch, tapping her manicured fingers against her knee. “I suppose you’re right. But still, I don’t want to take any chances. I want this case closed before anyone even thinks of questioning Sherlock’s death.”

“That’s exactly what I was going to say,” Derek replied smoothly. “Go ahead and make the appeal. Have the murderer locked up before anyone gets a chance to dig too deep. Once the court approves it, Hunter will be officially sentenced. It’ll be too late for anyone to change anything then.”

Chloe’s smile widened as she thought of that. It was perfect.

“Alright, I’ll handle it immediately,” she said, already rising to her feet. “I want this wrapped up as soon as possible.”

“That’s my girl,” Derek murmured, amusement lacing his voice.

Chloe chuckled softly before hanging up.

She placed her phone down and walked toward her vanity, already planning her next steps. She had to go to the court and file the official appeal for a swift trial and conviction. The evidence was irrefutable—Hunter was as good as done.

And soon, all of this would be behind her.

She applied a coat of lipstick, adjusting her reflection with satisfaction. Today is going to be a good day. She thought as she picked up her bag and headed out.

Meanwhile, Derek sat on the edge of his bed, a cigarette dangling between his fingers, the smoke curling lazily toward the ceiling.

He took a slow drag, his mind drifting back to the past.

Hunter.

The man he had once called his best friend. The one person he had been willing to stand by through anything. But then, Hunter had ruined that.

Derek exhaled, watching the smoke swirl in the air. Hunter betrayed me first so no one should blame him fir betraying Hunter right back.

It all came back to that moment—the day he had confessed his feelings for Chloe to Hunter, hoping he’d help him and give him his permission as best friends.

But instead, Hunter had shunned him.

“I’ll never allow anything to happen between you and Chloe, Derek. She’s not the one for you.”

Derek clenched his jaw, his fingers tightening around the cigarette.

“Not the one for me?” he muttered with a scoff.

Like he was some worthless nobody. Like his feelings didn’t matter. Like Chloe was too good for him.

Though he didn’t show his pain or disappointment but then, Hunter had made his decision that day. His decision to disregard their friendship and his feelings just because of Hunter’s stupid grudge.

His loyalty to Hunter had died the moment Hunter refused to give him his blessing.

Now, the only person who mattered to him was Chloe. She was the only one he owed his loyalty to. His woman. And if she wanted Hunter gone, then so be it.

Derek took another slow drag, a smirk forming on his lips.

He would do everything Chloe asked for without batting an eyelid.

After all, Hunter had made his choice and now, he was making his.

Two days later

Laughter filled Chloe’s lavish living room, the golden chandelier above casting a warm glow over the expensive wine glasses she and Derek clinked together in celebration.

“To victory,” Chloe purred, a satisfied smirk on her lips as she took a slow sip of her wine.

“To finally getting what’s rightfully yours,” Derek added, leaning back on the couch, one arm draped lazily over the backrest as he sipped his drink.

The documents—the fake will—lay on the glass coffee table between them, a symbol of their success since they would be presenting it in court seeing as their appeal had been granted.

It had taken a lot of careful planning, manipulation, and silencing loose ends, but finally, Chloe had what she needed. Ownership of everything her father had left behind.

Everything was hers now. Her restaurant. Her company. Her power. Her everything.

And soon, Hunter would be rotting behind bars, where he belonged with the keys thrown away.

Chloe let out a soft chuckle, running a manicured finger along the rim of her wine glass. She had won.

Or so she thought.

Just as Derek was about to pour them another round, a sudden knock echoed through the room.

Chloe’s smirk faltered.

She exchanged a glance with Derek, who simply raised an eyebrow. It was early. Too early for visitors.

She set her wine glass down, smoothing out the silky robe she wore before striding towards the door.

The moment she pulled it open, her heart skipped a beat.

Two police officers stood on her doorstep, their faces unreadable, their presence ominous.

Chloe felt the color drain from her face, but she quickly masked it with an irritated frown.

“Can I help you?” she asked coolly, crossing her arms.

The taller officer, a middle-aged man with sharp eyes, took a step forward.

“Miss Chloe Stone?”

She tilted her chin up. “Obviously. What do you want?”

The officer’s gaze didn’t waver. “You’re under arrest for the murder of your father, Mr. Richard Stone.”

The air in Chloe’s lungs vanished and for a split second, her mind went blank.

Maybe she had heard wrong. They were there to tell her the judge had seen the evidence her lawyer presented and that Hunter had been sentenced to life imprisonment, not what she was hearing.

Not wanting to give herself or her thoughts away, she let out a sharp, mocking laugh, wanting desperately to believe that it was some sort of joke.

“Excuse me?” She raised an eyebrow. “You must be joking, right? Hunter has been sentenced, that’s what you came to tell me, isn’t it?”

The second officer, a woman, pulled out a folded document. “I’m afraid not. We have new evidence that turns the case around. Forensic reports confirmed your fingerprints were found on Mr. Stone’s body, and the actual time of death places you at the scene—not Hunter. A household staff had seen you arrive minutes before Richard’s death.”

Hearing that, Chloe’s stomach twisted violently and she swallowed nervously.

This wasn’t possible. She had been so careful. She had looked around that day and hadn’t seen any household staff around.

Every detail had been planned, every loose end tied up. How? She had even gone ahead as killing Sherlock just to make sure nothing got back to her so what was this?

Chloe squared her shoulders, forcing her expression into one of indignation. “That’s ridiculous,” she scoffed. “All evidence points to Hunter. There must be some mistake. I love my father and there’s no reason I have to kill him.”

The officer’s expression remained neutral. “There’s no mistake, Miss Stone.”

Chloe felt a bead of sweat form at the back of her neck, but she refused to break. She couldn’t. Not now. Not there.

Just then, Derek who had been in the room waiting for her to return stepped out from the living room, curiosity evident on his face.

“What’s going on?” he asked, his voice laced with confusion.

The police turned to him and when he recognized him, she glanced to her colleague before turning back to Derek.

“Derek Logan,” the female officer said, “you’re also under arrest—for the attempted murder of Mr. Sherlock and staging his death as a suicide.”

Immediately, Derek’s smirk vanished. His fingers clenched into fists at his sides as he glanced between Chloe and the officers.

“Excuse me?” His voice darkened, disbelief flickering in his eyes.

Chloe felt her heart pounding wildly in her chest, her mind racing. This is a mistake. It has to be. How could all their carefully orchestrated plan be ruined this way?

She stepped forward. “Listen, I don’t know where you’re getting this nonsense, but—”

“You have the right to remain silent,” the officer cut her off, stepping closer. “Anything you say can and will be used against you in court.”