Our Anniversary, You Chose Her – I Chose Divorce

Chloe Reed nodded.

The resort manager smiled and said, ”Mr. Grant has already sent someone to arrange everything. Please come with me.”

He led the way, with Chloe, Fiona Linton, and Annie York following closely behind him. However, as soon as they stepped into the resort’s front lobby, they spotted a familiar face.

”Mr. Vance,” Annie York said first, her tone full of surprise.

Chloe also looked over and saw Preston Vance standing at the reception desk, negotiating something with the receptionist. Hearing his name, he glanced in their direction. Upon seeing Chloe, a warm smile spread across his face, and he walked over to them.

”Chloe, Miss Linton, Ann, Happy New Year.” He offered his greetings before asking, ”Are you all here to celebrate the New Year?”

”Yeah,” Chloe nodded. She took out her phone, quickly typing a response. ”Happy New Year, Preston. Why are you here?”

A hint of helplessness appeared on Preston’s face. ”There’s too much going on at home, and I’m being pressured to get married again, so I thought I might as well hide out. I wanted to come here to relax, but the front desk just informed me that the entire resort has been booked out today and is closed to the public.” He paused, a look of curiosity flashing in his eyes. ”So, you’re the one who booked the resort?”

Chloe nodded again, then typed, ”Then you can just come inside with us.”

Preston smiled faintly. ”It seems I’m benefiting from your generosity today.”

Fiona looked at him, her eyes sparkling. ”Mr. Vance, do you know how to play mahjong?”

Preston’s expression paused for a moment before he replied, ”I can learn. I have a very good memory, and I’m a fast learner.”

Fiona clapped her hands in delight. ”That’s great! Now we have exactly four people to play!” She was extremely enthusiastic about mahjong.

Seeing this, the resort manager promptly asked the front desk to arrange a room for Preston as well, before leading the group toward the back.

He took them to their rooms first, then addressed Chloe. ”Mrs. Grant, if you head out this way, there are signs pointing to the hot springs, as well as the restaurant and entertainment areas. I wish you all a pleasant Spring Festival. If you need anything, please contact me. I’m available at any time.”

Chloe took out a generous tip and handed it directly to the manager. He smiled as he accepted the cash, then turned and left.

The three girls’ rooms were right next to each other, while Preston’s room was located at the end of the corridor. They dropped off their belongings and gathered in the hallway.

Preston asked, ”Do you want to soak in the hot springs first, or play mahjong?”

”I vote for mahjong!” Fiona raised her hand eagerly like a school child. ”We can eat after we get tired from playing, and then go soak in the hot springs to relax. It’ll be so refreshing.”

Annie York nodded. ”I agree.”

Chloe nodded as well.

”Then I’ll just go with the flow,” Preston said.

The group headed straight for the mahjong room in the entertainment area. After taking their seats, Annie York hesitated and said, ”Actually, I’m not very good at it either. Please don’t laugh at me.”

Fiona waved her hand dismissively. ”How could we? We’re all just learning the ropes. As long as we’re having fun, that’s all that matters.”

Preston spoke up gently, ”That works out perfectly. You can keep me company, and we’ll learn together.”

Annie York nodded, then looked over at Chloe. ”Chloe, do you know how to play?”

Chloe gave a soft hum of affirmation.

She did. In fact, she knew how to do a lot of things. She had learned how to play mahjong and billiards, as well as how to race cars and ski—all alongside Walker Grant.

Her expression grew slightly dazed for a fleeting moment, but she quickly regained her usual calm composure.