After Divorce, I Returned as the Army's Queen novel Chapter 5

"Stop causing a scene. They were just joking around and meant no harm," Curtis said.

Disappointment flashed in Chloe's eyes. Even when she was being mocked and humiliated in public, Curtis never said a single word in her defense.

"What counts as 'harm' to you then?" she sarcastically shot back. "Should I kneel right here, slap myself, and say that I should've never married you? Don't forget that you were the one who proposed, Curtis."

Curtis' friends exchanged uneasy glances, and even Sonya shifted uncomfortably.

Curtis clenched his jaw as he grabbed Chloe's wrist. "Let's talk about this at home."

"No, we'll talk right here," she spat, yanking her hand free. "To be honest, you and Sonya actually make a good match—one's a cheater and the other's a mistress. I wish you both a long and happy life together."

Curtis' expression darkened, while Sonya's face went pale.

Off to the side, Luke sneered. "What right do you have to talk like that, Chloe? You're nothing compared to Sonya, and did you really think that Curtis would love an orphan from some no-name college over her?"

"That's bullshit!" Lena snapped, stepping forward. "What no-name college? Chloe graduated from the National Defense Academy!"

Laughter erupted around them. "You're claiming that the no-name college she attended is the National Defense Academy?"

"Chloe, you and your friend are the same—shameless, pathetic liars!"

Sonya regained her composure and got up, smirking. "If you're going to boast, at least have the credentials to back it up. Lying about your education will only make you a complete fool."

"Lying?" Lena fumed. "All it takes is one search in the registry, and you'll see it's the truth!"

Chloe held Lena back and fixed her cold, steady gaze on Sonya. "I don't need your opinion on my education."

Sonya frowned. Why did Chloe still seem so confident even when she'd been caught in a lie? She was so calm that it was unnerving.

Just then, she noticed a group that had entered the restaurant and was about to pass by their table. Recognizing one of them, she warmly called out with a wide smile, "Professor Ostling, what a coincidence to see you here!"

Recognizing Sonya, Gerald Ostling smiled politely. "It's been a while, Ms. Miller."

Gerald was acquainted with the Millers, so there were frequent interactions between both parties.

"You're a professor at the National Defense Academy, and as it happens, someone here claims to have studied there. I wonder if you know her," Sonya said sweetly.

The others joined in, eager to see Chloe humiliated. "Yeah, Chloe. Since you claim to be a graduate from the academy, surely you should know professors, right?"

Chloe calmly stepped forward. "It's been a long time, Professor Ostling."

Mocking whispers broke out around them.

"Wow, she's really putting on a show!"

"As if she actually went to the academy!"

"There's no way Professor Ostling knows her!"

But the taunts died abruptly when Gerald gently patted Chloe's shoulder and said, "I didn't expect to see you here either. It's been years since we last met."

"Yes, it's been a while. How have you been, Professor Ostling?"

"I'm well. I heard about your parents. My condolences," Gerald said with a soft sigh.

The onlookers, who'd been looking forward to a show, stared in stunned silence. Even Sonya's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Professor Ostling, d-do you actually know her?"

"Of course! She was my student, so how could I not know her? She was the top science student in Corvessia that year. When she enrolled at the academy, it caused quite a stir."

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