Chantelle felt slightly guilty as she watched Philip cry uncontrollably.
Was this plate an antique and a family heirloom?
Chantelle glanced at Daniel, the real culprit, feeling helpless.
He didn't seem the least bit guilty. Instead, he looked at her with innocent eyes and flashed a charming smile.
Her anger boiled over. She was about to explode.
"Uh, don't be sad. I'll get you the exact same one, okay?"
She couldn't stand seeing Philip cry like that. Speaking gently, she tried to comfort him as if he were a child.
But Philip didn't stop crying. Instead, he ran up to her and hugged her tightly.
"Chantie, you're back! Boohoohoo... I'm so happy!" He said and sobbed even harder.
Chantelle was stunned by his reaction.
That's when she realized—she had removed her makeup and was showing her real face.
She wasn't close to Philip, but he was the only one who had been kind to her after she married Daniel. He had always looked out for her and cared for her during her pregnancy.
Other than giving her checkups, prescribing medicine, and planning her meals, he never talked to her.
He was cold and silent, just like Daniel.
Even when he had time, he only listened to her thoughts without saying a word.
Because of that, Chantelle believed he was only doing his job as a doctor.
She also thought that after all these years, Philip had completely forgotten about her.
To her surprise, he remembered her and even saw her as a friend.
A warmth spread through Chantelle's heart, but his tight hug was getting uncomfortable.
Just as she was about to gently push him away, Daniel quickly meddled.
Daniel's expression turned cold the moment he saw Philip hugging Chantelle.
He grabbed Philip's shirt and pulled him aside.
"It's improper for men and women to have physical contact," he said sternly.
"Boohoohoo! Daniel, I never knew you were this petty!" Philip teased him and was clearly annoyed but made sure to taunt him on purpose.
"You remembered wrong. I've always been this petty."
Daniel's expression darkened even more as he stared at Philip. "But how did I not realize you two were such good friends?"
Philip wiped his tears and smiled smugly at Daniel's question.
"Of course! Chantie used to confide everything she felt back then!"
The moment those words left his mouth, Daniel's eyes filled with murderous intent.
Chantelle sighed and rubbed her temples.
She never realized Philip was such a talker and a gossiper.
Back then, they barely spoke, even during her checkups. She even wondered if Daniel had poisoned him into silence before sending him her way.
"Confiding, to you?!!" he asked.
This jerk must have a death wish! Daniel thought in silent.
"Yeah! I was Chantie's best friend back then. She told me everything!"
"So many years have passed. Chantie, do you miss me?"
Philip wasn't afraid of anything, not even death. He walked closer and took her hand.
"Thank you. You were the only one who listened to me back then." Chantelle looked at him and said sincerely.
Philip was the only friend she ever had, even if she only realized his true nature five years later. She felt she owed him at least a thank you.
"Okay, since we're all friends, let's forget about the porcelain plate. Chantie, it was just an accident."
Daniel felt annoyed as he watched two old friends reunited. He quickly stepped forward, positioned himself between them, and pulled Chantelle's hand away from Philip.
"Ah? That plate was from the Victorian era!" Philip gasped as the realization hit him.
"Chantelle sees you as a good friend, yet you're making a fuss over a porcelain plate? Is that really necessary?"
"It's not that I want to... but..."
That plate was from the Victorian era! It was part of a collection that still sat in his kitchen.
Even if he searched everywhere, he wouldn't find another like it.
His heart ached at the thought!
Remembering how pitiful Chantie had been, Philip held back from saying anything more.
In the next moment, his mood shifted, and he beamed. "I'll forget about the plate to celebrate Chantelle finally returning as her real self!"
"You mean... you've known who I am all along?" Chantelle asked, immediately understanding his words.
"Uh, well..." Philip scratched his head, looking embarrassed.
He glanced at Daniel out of the corner of his eye, searching for a way to escape the conversation.
"You knew too?" Chantelle turned to Daniel, finally realizing the truth.
Daniel gave her a knowing smile. "Chantelle Bently, did you really think you could fool me with your little tricks?"
Chantelle frowned, confused. "How?"
Daniel raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, 'how'?"
"If you knew my identity all along, why didn't you take revenge on me? Weren't I still your enemy until yesterday?"
Chantelle struggled to understand his intention. She turned to Daniel again, searching for answers.
What was he trying to do?
He had known who she was all along, yet he still approached her and even treated her kindly.
Daniel felt a pain in his chest when he saw the distant look in her eyes.
After a long silence, he finally said. "Chantelle, I never intended to take revenge on you."
"Oh? Mr. Wilson, and why should I believe that?" Chantelle replied in a doubtful tone.
"I know you won't believe me right away, but give me time. I'll prove to you that you are the only wife of Daniel Wilson." His voice was sincere as he walked closer to her.
Chantelle was at a loss for words. His sudden confession completely threw her off.
"Hell yeah! If you two get back together, the three of us can hang out more. I'm all for it!"
Chantelle and Daniel spoke at the same time. Philip covered his mouth in shock and rushed into the elevator as fast as he could.
Their tempers were becoming more alike. Even the way they scolded him was the same.
He knew he shouldn't stay there any longer. He needed to tell Rai the good news.