Don’t Fall for the Billionaire Lover

[It's so unfortunate for someone like Ann. She was abused by her husband for twenty years. The one time she fought back and accidentally killed her abuser, she ended up in prison for life,] one post read.

[The term 'domestic violence' really doesn't do this case justice-it's straight-up intentional harm. If Ann hadn't fought back that day, would it have just been another so-called 'family dispute'?]

[Chloe shouldn't let this incident affect her. She grew up in the Meadows family, and she could've easily cleared her name when people started criticizing her. But she chose not to deny her biological mother.]

[Do baby swaps really happen in real life? Poor Lisa grew up under such messed-up circumstances.]

The online chatter about Chloe flipped overnight. People even started clamoring for her to return to prime-time news. She went from a few hundred thousand Twitter followers to three million in a flash.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Tony probably saw the buzz and decided to bring her back to the prime slot.

Chloe was skeptical about how public opinion could shift so fast. There had to be someone pulling the strings. No ordinary person could dig up that much dirt on Ann and sway public sentiment.

Was it him?

For the first time, Chloe felt torn. She pulled out her phone, hesitating multiple times before deciding not to make the call.

That evening, she was still unsure of whether to call him, but her phone rang. It was Connor. Chloe stared at the phone for a few seconds before answering.

There was silence at first. Then, a deep voice broke through from the other end. "Would you never reach out if I didn't call first?"

Chloe finally spoke, "Did you have anything to do with the stuff online?"

Honestly, even without tackling those online rumors, they would've eventually faded. But handling them would take a ridiculous amount of manpower, resources, and money. She had planned to just wait it out.

"Yeah, it cost me a lot. How are you gonna thank me?"

Chloe chuckled, "How about dinner tonight?"

They agreed to meet at Cloud Top. Chloe arrived first. Since the private rooms were all booked, they had to dine in the main area. Chloe picked a table by the window and started looking at the menu.

"Well, what a coincidence, sis. You're here for dinner, too?"

Chloe looked up to see Lisa, along with Leah and Jacob. She stood up and greeted them, "Dad, Mom."

Leah gave her a cold glance but didn't say anything. Jacob explained, "We're here to check out the venue. Next Sunday is Lisa's birthday, and we plan to throw a big party in the banquet hall."

Before Chloe could respond, Lisa jumped in, "Next Sunday is your birthday too, right, sis? Since we share the same birthday, why not celebrate together?"

Since "marrying" Lucas, Chloe had

spent the past three years

celebrating her birthday with the

Moncada family. She replied, "Novet

need. I don't want to steal the spotlight from you, my dear sister. You deserve to be the one and only princess."

Lisa scoffed, "As if you could steal my spotlight."

Realizing Jacob and Leah were standing right there, Lisa quickly changed her tone and looped her arm through Leah's. "Mom, even though Chloe is married, she's still the daughter of the Meadows family. We shouldn't let outsiders think think you treat your foster daughter poorly. I'm happy to share my birthday with her to show that the Meadows family children get along just fine, contrary to the rumors."