Rural Belle & Three Heirs by Harper Hall

Chapter 34 I'm Such a Mess

After saying that, Grant casually grabbed Chloe's hand and strolled towards the mall entrance, his nonchalance a stark contrast to the drama he left behind.

Sophia, her face a furious mask, watched them go, her chest heaving with indignation. One of her friends, blissfully unaware of the brewing storm, approached and chirped, "Sophia, looks like Mr. Martin isn't into you. Seems he prefers that plain Jane."

Sophia's face darkened like an impending storm. "Don't be ridiculous. Even if he's not interested in me, he'd never go for that revolting chick! Zip it. If you can't say anything sensible, don't bother hanging out with me," she snapped, leaving her friend in stunned silence.

After all, the friend had merely stated what seemed blatantly obvious.

Meanwhile, Chloe, delighting in the earlier confrontation, walked beside Grant into the mall. She turned to him, her face lighting up with a bright smile. "Grantie, thanks a bunch." Grant raised an eyebrow, genuinely puzzled. "Thank me? For what?"

"For what you did just now. You always stand up for me. I feel really grateful," Chloe said earnestly, the mole on her face moving with her expressions, adding an endearing touch. Grant, eyeing Chloe, noticed how the mole subtly accentuated her charm. "No need for thanks," he replied. "Sophia is insufferable. I just took the chance to put her in her place." Sophia, completely unaware of her own boundaries, would openly and secretly flirt with him at work, bragging that he cared for her and that she'd soon be the mistress of the Martin Family.

Caught up in her own delusions, Sophia often flirted with him at work, boasting that Grant was smitten with her and that she would soon become the mistress of the Martin Family. Grant, preferring to avoid unnecessary dramas, chose not to correct her. But her advances grew bolder, her pestering incessant, and her schemes against Chloe increasingly irritating. He saw through her thinly veiled attempts and decided it was time to use Chloe to check her. Arriving at the Louis Vuitton counter, Chloe confidently began selecting bags, her eyes gleaming with excitement. Her choices were impeccable-two were limited editions and the others top sellers of the season. Grant watched her, a mixture of amusement and nostalgia in his expression. He recalled the Chloe who first joined the Martin Family, awkwardly dressed in outdated clothes. Now, she had an eye for luxury and sophistication, particularly in fashion.

concern for the expense, Chloe instructed the salesperson, "Pack them up. Grantie's picking up the tab today. It'd be foolish

her audacity. Chloe's brazen attitude of exploiting his generosity while maintaining an innocent façade was, if nothing

Grandpa calls me a spoiled brat. I blow money on random stuff, like using these LV bags

would tarnish her image in Grant's eyes. Instead, he remained unperturbed. With a hand

verge of exasperation. What did he mean by "fine"? She was a walking disaster, and he still thought it was

had extravagantly chosen, a group of her

you here!"

coincidence!" another classmate chimed in. "Philip invited

Chloe, it'll be fun," encouraged

these boys and girls when she first started school, and the idea of playing basketball, given her recent lack of exercise, was tempting. Yet, with Grant by her side, she

don't think I can today. The timing isn't

stood silent,