The Cat-Like Miss Preston: Mr. CEO begs for Reconciliation!-Chapter 144: Then Kiss Me

Donovan Xavier kept his eyes closed and ignored her.

Chloe Preston was momentarily at a loss. She pursed her lips and gently kissed his handsome face. "Donovan, why are you suddenly angry? Did I do something wrong?"

Donovan Xavier’s eyelashes quivered slightly, but he remained still.

"Donovan..." Chloe whispered, moving closer and pressing against his warm, firm back.

Though Donovan couldn’t see her face, he sensed her mood. His lips moved slightly as he said slowly, "I’m not angry. It’s late; let’s sleep."

Not angry? He was clearly furious.

Chloe paused for a few seconds before gingerly wrapping her arms around his strong waist. "Honey, can you hold me while we sleep?"

Donovan Xavier remained silent.

Chloe rubbed her face against his back, her lips pursed in a pout. "Honey, everything was fine just a moment ago. Why are you acting like this now... Donovan Xavier, it really hurts when you’re this cold to me."

Hearing her words and feeling a slight dampness on his back, Donovan opened his eyes. He rolled over to face her, his expression slightly startled.

Chloe’s fair face was pale, and her eyes were red and glistening with tears. She looked like a wronged little bunny, a truly pitiful sight.

A single glance was all it took for his heart to soften completely.

Donovan reached out and stroked her messy hair. His rough, warm fingertips wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. "Why are you crying?"

"You’re giving me the cold shoulder for no reason," Chloe said, deeply hurt. "Of course I’m going to cry."

"What’s really wrong? If I did something you don’t like, you can just tell me."

Donovan gazed at her with his dark eyes, took a shallow breath, and forced a smile. "Of course you’re perfect, Chloe. It’s my fault for making you sad."

As he spoke, he gently patted her slender back. "You were exhausted earlier. Go to sleep."

The corners of Chloe’s eyes were still red, and her voice was slightly hoarse. "Then kiss me... Honey, just one kiss, okay?"

Donovan heard her but closed his eyes again, his voice low and devoid of emotion. "I’m tired."

Chloe said no more. She turned off the light and, fighting back tears, snuggled closer into his arms. Donovan didn’t push her away, but he didn’t hold her either, seeming as if he had truly fallen asleep.

The night dragged on and on...

An unknown amount of time passed. In the pitch-black room, Donovan slowly opened his eyes. He hadn’t been asleep.

The thought of her calling another man’s name in her sleep filled him with a pent-up rage, chasing away any hint of drowsiness.

The woman in his arms felt soft and smelled sweet. By the moonlight filtering into the room, he could faintly make out her silhouette.

Donovan reached out a hand to touch her face, his heart tightening when he felt the tears still clinging to her thick lashes.

He felt a pang of both anger and heartache. He wiped away the lingering tears from her eyes and lightly pinched her cheek. "Chloe Preston, who gave you permission to call another man’s name in your sleep!"

"What is he to you? You told me I’m the only man you love most."

Frowning as if caught in a nightmare, Chloe murmured in her sleep, "Honey... Don’t ignore me, honey..."

Hearing her call out "honey" again and again, Donovan’s anger instantly dissipated.

He moved a little closer, his voice deep. "Tell me, who are you calling honey?"

The air fell silent. After a long moment, Donovan seemed to deflate. He lowered his head, found her soft lips, and kissed them gently, savoring their sweetness. The kiss was incredibly tender, full of emotion.

His eyes were slightly red, and his voice was hoarse. "Chloe Preston, you’re mine. Don’t you dare secretly think about anyone else. You can only ever be mine."

He was so selfish. He wanted to possess her body and her heart. He wanted her world to contain only him, to have room for only him, to need no one but him.

「The next morning, at the crack of dawn.」

Chloe Preston slowly opened her eyes, still feeling a bit sleepy as she lay on the large, soft bed. She turned her head, but the space beside her was empty. When she reached out a hand, the sheets were cold to the touch.

He’s gone.

Without dwelling on it, Chloe immediately threw off the covers and got up.

「Downstairs.」

Donovan Xavier sat on the sofa, took a few sips of coffee, and stood up to leave.

Housekeeper Wallace stood nearby. "Sir, are you leaving already? Breakfast is ready, won’t you have a bite?"

"No, I don’t have an appetite," Donovan replied coolly.

"Take good care of Madam while I’m away. Don’t let her overexert herself. Call me if anything comes up."

After giving these instructions, he turned to leave.

"Honey!" a voice called from behind him.

Donovan stopped in his tracks and looked back.

At the top of the stairs, Chloe appeared in a camisole nightdress, her dark hair slightly messy. She ran down in her slippers, her footsteps a quick TAP-TAP-TAP.

Housekeeper Wallace went pale with fright. "Madam, you’re pregnant! You can’t run!" she cried out. "Slow down, Madam! Be careful, you’re risking two lives!"

As she spoke, she rushed forward to support Chloe, but her foot slipped and she fell flat on her face. "Ow! My old back!"

Donovan frowned and stepped forward, his voice sharp with reprimand. "How many times have I told you? You have to be careful when you’re pregnant."

His harsh tone startled Chloe. Remembering his coldness from the previous night, she lowered her gaze, feeling her nose sting with unshed tears. She looked just like a child who’d been scolded.

Donovan realized his tone had been too sharp. Reaching out, he stroked her cheek reassuringly. "My tone was off. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you."

Chloe stepped forward, wanting to wrap her arms around his waist. Her neck and the area below her collarbone were covered in the red kiss marks and even bite marks he had left the night before.

Donovan stopped her, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Something’s come up at the company. I have to go."

"In such a hurry?"

"Mm."

Chloe didn’t act petulant. She simply nodded. "Okay... alright."

She looked up and noticed his tie was a bit loose. Standing on her tiptoes, she reached up to straighten it for him.

Donovan remained silent, his handsome face unreadable as he bent down slightly, allowing her to adjust it more easily. They were standing very close, yet there was a palpable sense of distance between them.

"There," Chloe said after finishing. She let her hands fall and looked at him. "Drive safe."

Donovan gave a curt "Mm," then turned his tall, imposing figure and strode out the door.

Chloe stood where she was, watching him quietly. Whenever he left in the past, he would always hug her, give her a smiling kiss, and tease her for a while.

「Noon.」

Chloe had made plans with her father, Wyatt Quinn, yesterday to come home for a meal today. Now, sitting in the car, she sent Donovan a message.

*Donovan, I’m going to my dad’s for a meal. Can you pick me up afterward?*

After two minutes, there was no response. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Chloe sent another message. *If you’re busy, I’ll just head back on my own.*

Then another. *Honey, it’s lunchtime. Don’t get so busy you forget to eat.*

Five minutes passed with still no response. Chloe stared blankly at her screen.

「Meanwhile, at a private bar.」

The private room was a scene of debauched luxury, with flashing lights and flowing wine.

Donovan Xavier leaned back against the sofa, his posture lazy. His features were devastatingly handsome, and his long legs were crossed as he looked down at the messages from Chloe on his phone.

"What are you looking at so intently?" Leo Sterling leaned in beside him, a teasing smile on his face.

Donovan put away his phone, took a sip of his drink, and smiled faintly. "Nothing much."

"Bad mood?" Leo asked.

"Is it that obvious?" Donovan replied.

"When you’re in a good mood, you spend all your time with your wife," Leo said languidly. "You hardly remember your bros exist."

"Did you two have a fight?"

"Not exactly," Donovan said, glancing at him. "It’s just that... my wife..."

Seeing Donovan’s grim and angry expression, Adrian Rhodes leaned in. "Did Chloe cheat on you?"

Donovan’s face darkened. "Piss off!"

Adrian pouted. "I just said one thing. Do you have to get so mad? It’s like I hit a nerve or something."

Donovan glared at him, his eyes flashing murderously. "Believe me, I will tear that mouth right off your face."

Adrian clapped a hand over his mouth.

Leo interjected, "Alright, cut it out. What’s really going on?"

Donovan hesitated, finding it hard to put into words.

"God, you’re killing me!" Adrian said impatiently. "Stop being so damn hesitant! Are you going to tell us or not?"

Donovan shot him a look and kicked him hard.

"Ow! That hurts!" Adrian yelped, his brows knitting together. "My leg... I think my leg’s broken! You’re going to have to take responsibility for this!"

Donovan ignored him and turned to Leo, his voice low. "It’s... when Chloe’s sleeping in my arms at night, she calls out another man’s name." He looked at Leo. "Do you have any idea what that feels like?"

Leo’s hand paused for a fraction of a second, but his expression remained largely unchanged. "Is it that... what’s-his-name, Mo?" he asked lazily.

Donovan’s head snapped up. "You know?"