Rural Belle & Three Heirs

"You're so eager to protect her, afraid she'll suffer even a little. If that's not liking her, then what is it?"

Karlie kept talking more and more, with no intention of stopping. Michael watched her, trying to interrupt, but she was completely unfazed. To her, Michael's attempts to stop her seemed nonexistent.

Grant, standing next to Chloe, frowned in displeasure. Seeing Chloe's face turn red with anger, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, giving her a comforting squeeze.

He had always thought Karlie was a calm woman, but now she was verbally attacking Chloe? And using Michael to do it?

Such a woman, let alone marrying into the Martin family, her career in showbiz was as good as over.

Grant said nothing, letting Karlie rant.

Michael found himself at a loss for words due to Karlie's relentless barrage. He used to think Chloe was unattractive, but as he spent more time with her, he gradually discovered many of her admirable qualities.

He thought maybe he did have a bit of a crush on Chloe. He enjoyed being around her and even considered marrying her if none of his brothers wanted to.

But seeing his older brother Grant so protective of Chloe, he pushed those thoughts aside.

Honestly, he just wanted Chloe to be happy.

"Karlie, I suggest you stop talking nonsense..." Michael said, half-squinting his eyes and looking at Karlie coldly. His tone was icy, and his gaze held an unmistakable severity. Karlie let out a cold chuckle, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Nonsense? Michael, we've been playing up this on-screen couple act for so long that I almost started to believe it myself." Her eyes were sharp, piercing right through Michael.

"And now you're telling me I'm talking nonsense? Fine, tell me then, if I'm lying, if you don't love Chloe, who do you love?" Karlie pressed on, unyielding, each of her words like a sharp thorn, stabbing right at Michael's heart.

Karlie was pushing Michael into a corner.

Michael's expression darkened, his brows furrowing deeply, and the coldness in his eyes grew more intense. His gaze slowly shifted to Chloe, who was standing nearby, her eyes filled with a hint of unease as she looked at him.

Chloe felt a sudden wave of anxiety. She feared Michael might use her as a shield, and if that happened, Grant, who was extremely possessive, might just claim her for himself.

Just as Chloe was at a loss, Michael suddenly took a step back. He turned and looked at Rena, who was standing behind him.

Rena, his assistant, thought her boss needed something and quickly stepped forward.

To everyone's surprise, Michael grabbed Rena's hand.

Rena froze, completely confused by Michael's actions.

"Mr. Martin, what are you doing?" she asked timidly.

Before Rena could finish her question, Michael pulled her in front of Karlie.

Under everyone's astonished gaze, Michael said seriously, "The girl I like is her."

The room erupted in shock. No one expected the famous Michael to fall for his unremarkable assistant, Rena.

Rena was equally stunned by Michael's sudden declaration.

Michael liked her? What a joke!

She was just an assistant, with no notable background, utterly ordinary. How could Michael possibly like her?

Previously, when she told Zara about competing fairly for Michael, she knew it was just a joke. She was well aware of the vast distance between her and Michael, and she dared not entertain any unrealistic thoughts.

But now...

"Mr. Martin, are you joking?" Rena finally reacted, struggling to free her hand from Michael's grip.

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But Michael didn't let go. He looked at Rena seriously and said, "I'm not joking. I like you. Do you think just anyone can be my personal assistant?"

Michael's confession left Rena completely bewildered.

Without further explanation, Michael turned to Karlie and said, "Karlie, I've told you before, our on-screen relationship was arranged by the company. We're just friends.

I hope you don't misunderstand, don't get too into the role, and don't attack my friends, family, or the woman I like.

This is the first time this has happened, so I'll forgive you. But if it happens again, don't blame me for being ruthless. We won't even be friends then."

Michael's harsh words left Karlie standing there, at a loss. If she had lost to Chloe, she might have felt a bit better.

After all, Chloe was the daughter of the Davis Group. Even if she wasn't pretty, her background made up for it.

Losing to Chloe wouldn't be so bad.

But she lost to an unremarkable assistant?

Why?

Tears streamed down Karlie's face. Chloe walked over, gently patting her shoulder in a gesture of comfort.

Soon, everyone left, leaving Karlie alone, crying.

Reporters, always quick to catch a story, swarmed in, cameras flashing as they captured Karlie's tears.

Michael had planned a getaway, and everyone drove off together.

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Chloe and Grant shared a car. After the incident with Karlie, Chloe had a lot to process.

Sitting next to Grant, she kept repeating.

"Michael likes Rena? Since when?"noveldrama

"How did I not know he liked Rena?"

"Oh, it's my fault. I should have seen it when he made her his assistant."

"He hides his feelings so well."

Listening to Chloe's muttering, Grant, who was handling work on his phone, snorted.

He looked up from his phone and said to Chloe, "Isn't it possible that he's just using Rena as a cover?"

Grant hit the nail on the head.

Chloe snapped out of it.

Michael and Rena had always maintained a professional relationship as boss and employee. It was Karlie's relentless pressure that made Michael grab Rena's hand and declare that he liked her.

As Grant suggested, could Rena be just a cover for Michael to fend off Karlie?

If so, Rena was being used by Michael.

Chloe, with her strong sense of justice, couldn't let that happen.

She had to protect her friend, just as Rena had protected her before.

Meanwhile, in another luxury car, Michael lowered the partition, creating a private

space to discuss his terms with Rena.