The Loyal Puppet: A Love Built on Lies novel Chapter 13

That night, she got a call from Noah.

He sent her an address.

"Half a month from now, it's my fiancée's birthday party."

"You better show up."

After what Noah did for her last time, she figured she owed him one.

She went.

Same hotel. Same crowd. And Mason.

The last encounter was still fresh in her mind.

Her stomach twisted as the same judgmental stares surrounded her.

Mason pulled her toward the poolside.

He slowly loosened his grip, smirking.

Was he going to push her into the pool again?

Chloe clenched her fists, slightly trembling.

Then—a loud splash.

The water erupted as Mason disappeared beneath the surface.

Gasps echoed around them.

People laughed, assuming it was another one of his games.

But as seconds dragged on, the laughter faded.

Mason didn't resurface.

Noah, standing at the edge, called out, "Mason, quit screwing around. Get up here."

Silence.

Seeing no movement in the pool—

Noah stripped off his jacket, ready to dive in.

"Mason said if anyone interferes, he's cutting them off," someone warned cautiously.

"Damn it, if he drowns in my family's hotel, how the hell am I supposed to stay in business?"

"Chloe, aren't you gonna do something?" Noah snapped at her.

Chloe frowned, completely lost on what kind of stunt Mason was pulling now.

Suddenly, with a loud splash, Mason's head broke the surface.

His face was ghostly pale.

The weather had been unpredictable lately, and he'd just gotten over a nasty cold.

If he stayed in that pool any longer, he'd probably get sick all over again.

Shivering, Mason's lips trembled as he spoke.

"Chloe, last time… you didn't push Ava. I was wrong. I'm sorry."

"I'll take whatever punishment you want."

"If that makes you feel better, I'll come out."

"If not, I'll stay here until you do."

The crowd exchanged glances, suddenly understanding.

So this was about last time—when he'd forced her to apologize to Ava.

Everyone knew Mason's temper.

The guy never backed down.

The word ‘sorry' wasn't even in his vocabulary.

Let alone to a woman.

"This is ridiculous, man," Noah scoffed, half amused.

"We all know Chloe cares about you. You're just putting on a show."

Mason didn't respond.

He just stared at Chloe, waiting.

"Mason, suit yourself," Chloe said coolly before turning on her heel and walking away.

The crowd watched in stunned silence.

Noah tried to stop her, but Chloe simply shook her head, pushed past him, and got into a car without looking back.

Truth always finds a way out.

It's just a matter of whether he's willing to face it.

Later, Noah bombarded her with messages.

Said Mason still hadn't come out of the water.

He'd downed a ton of alcohol too.

Just stewing in that damn pool.

Called it self-destructive.

Only he could've wrapped it up that fast.

His eyes flicked over to Lucas for a moment, something unreadable in them.

"If you really wanna take that bastard down, I'll handle it."

"I'll get the recording from Ava. You just—"

"Ava's your girl. If you can convince her, I'll be sure to thank you," Chloe cut him off.

"Bullshit. My girl? Chloe, are you out of your damn mind?" Mason snapped.

"Chloe, we should go. The professor's waiting," Lucas interrupted.

Chloe nodded and stepped past Mason.

"You two are going together?" Mason asked, his tone oddly sharp.

"That's none of your business," Lucas shot back.

Mason let out a cold chuckle.

"How is it not? You trying to steal my girl?"

"That makes it my business."

"Don't talk nonsense. Lucas and I are just classmates," Chloe warned him.

Mason took a step closer, right into Lucas's space, eyes narrowing.

"This haircut. These clothes. That fresh-ass cologne."

"Just classmates? Bit of a stretch, don't you think?"

Lucas's ears turned red instantly—like someone had just aired out his secret crush for the whole world to see.

Chloe glanced at him.

She'd never considered that he might actually have feelings for her.

Mason kept pressing forward.

Lucas took a step back.

Chloe reached out, pulling Lucas aside.

"None of this concerns you."

Seeing Chloe defend him, Mason's anger flared.

Without thinking, he grabbed her by the wrist, yanked her into his arms—

One hand cupping the back of her head—

And crashed his lips onto hers.