"You bastard, Claire Jhonson!" Alice returned home with hasty steps. Her feet stamped the floor in annoyance.She threw her expensive bag on the couch before collapsing on the living room sofa."Alice, what's wrong, dear? Why do you come home with a frown on your face?" Nancy approached her daughter. Followed by Graham, who was also concerned.His forehead was furrowed with curiosity. It was rare for their daughter to come home upset."It's Claire.""Claire?" Graham repeated. Suddenly his face clouded at the mention of his eldest daughter's name."Yes. She embarrassed me.""What did she do to you? Tell me!""Noah and I went to the grocery store today and ran into Claire and her husband. Claire was unhappy to see me with Noah and asked her husband to throw me out of the store. Claire humiliated me. That's the first time I've ever been humiliated in front of a crowd." With her cunning, Alice was good at making up lies.Graham's blood boiled immediately. His jaw clenched until the veins i
Claire was awakened by the sound of Alex's gentle snoring.Opening her eyes, Claire's lips smiled as she realized that Alex's strong hand was wrapped around her stomach.The strapping man was pressed against her back. Their bodies were naked under the white sheets.Yes, Claire and Alex had finally made love.They slept very well. "He looks very handsome even when he sleeps," Claire said, shifting her sleeping position to face Alex.When he closed his eyes, the man looked so peaceful.Claire couldn't help but kiss Alex on the forehead. It was the first time Claire had ever felt so comfortable and safe with a man.Claire's eyes went to her cell phone on the small table next to the bed. Claire's eyes narrowed as she saw her father's name on the screen. Why is he calling me? Claire thought to herself.[Damn kid! Come to my house right now!]"What if I refuse?"[I will have your mother evicted from the hospital!] Graham's threat caught Claire off guard."You can't have my mom evicted from t
Another thing that surprised Claire was that Alex wasn't wearing his construction uniform today, instead he was wearing gray cloth pants, complete with a gray shirt and a long tie that hung over his broad chest.Alex's appearance this time emphasized his good looks and authority.But Graham's family didn't care, because they knew that Alex was just the son of a bankrupt billionaire who had nothing."Don't you dare hurt my wife!" Alex snapped, pointing his finger at Graham.Then Alex walked over to Claire and pulled her around his waist to face him."Claire, are you okay?" Alex asked, but his eyes darkened when he saw the slap marks on both of his wife's cheeks."Shit!" Alex was too late."I'm fine. Alex, how did you know I was here?" Claire asked, her forehead furrowed in curiosity."That's not important. I'm sorry I'm late," Alex replied, his hand gently rubbing Claire's cheek.Graham clucked. "No one invited you into my house! How dare you come in here and meddle in our affairs. You'
"Mr. Knight, we have done what you told us to do. All investors who were working with Graham's Rose Company have ceased their cooperation," Vincent said from the other side of the phone.Meanwhile, Alex, standing at the window of his room, smiled with satisfaction.Graham had gotten his comeuppance for what he had done to Claire.It was clear that Alex would not let anyone who humiliated his wife live in peace without getting his comeuppance.A knock on the door distracted Alex. He saw Claire standing in the doorway with a cup of coffee."I brought your favorite coffee," Claire said, bringing it in and placing it on the table.Alex smiled. "Thank you." He quickly turned off his phone and slowly sipped his coffee while it was still hot."You're welcome.""Do you like coffee?" asked Alex.Claire looked up, looked at Alex and then nodded her head. "Not bad.""How about you drink coffee out of my mouth?" asked Alex, Claire's brow furrowed in confusion."What?"Without explaining anything,
"Noah, Claire scratched my arm! She threw water in my face too. She just got mad because I said hi," Alice said, showing the red scratches on her arm. Claire's eyes widened at Alice's accusation. Neither did Jenny, who hadn't expected Alice to use such a manipulative act to back Claire into a corner."Claire! You're so wicked. How could you hurt your stepsister? She just wanted to say hello to you, but you hurt her instead," Noah growled, sending a sharp look at Claire, but his hands were still holding Alice's back from falling.Annoyed that Noah had fallen for Alice's lie, Jenny shook the table hard and then got up from her chair. "Are you so blind that you can't see who's wrong and who's right? Have you seen Claire? She's wet too because your actress girlfriend threw water in her face first!" Jenny pointed at Claire, who was indeed partially wet.Noah looked over as well, but Alice immediately whimpered and held her arm. "My arm hurts like hell. We better get out of here, Noah. I do
Alice shook her head. "You're out of line, Claire. Forging the Emerald Hotel's VVIP card is a crime and could land you in jail.""Do you think the staff at the Emerald Hotel can be easily fooled with a forged card? They're not as stupid as you, Alice. If you don't believe me, please call the hotel staff and have them verify whether the card I'm holding is fake or real," Claire said, challenging Alice, who was still doubting herself.Everyone's mind was now thinking and confirming Claire's words.The Emerald Hotel was a high class hotel, of course they would check very carefully if someone showed a VVIP card."So are you now the mistress of this rich businessman with the VVIP card because you left your husband who can't support your lifestyle?" Alice asked calmly.This time Claire couldn't control her emotions and slapped Alice.Everyone's eyes widened. Noah, who didn't like his girlfriend being slapped, raised his hand to slap Alice back.However, Noah's hand was stopped by Claire's ha
That's right, Mr. James. Claire was the one who started it all. She was just a poor girl who snuck into the Emerald Hotel with a forged VVIP card. By the way, Mr. James, my name is Tyas, I'm with the Royal Company. It's a pleasure to meet you in person." This time it was Tyas who spoke, her right hand extended to James, inviting a handshake.Claire stayed where she was, watching with disgust as these people insulted her and tried to make up false stories about her.James, on the other hand, clucked at Rachel's hand in disgust. He didn't even want to return the handshake.He said aloud. "I hesitate to associate with hypocrites like you. From now on, I hope you won't show your faces in my presence!" shouted James, shocking everyone there.Surprised by James' defensive attitude towards Claire, Alice frowned and dared to ask. "I'm sorry, Mr. James. But my stepsister is to blame. She started the whole mess. What the friends said is true. Claire got into this hotel with a forged VVIP card.
Claire and James, who didn't care what Noah was doing, decided to sit at one of the tables in the restaurant and discuss Claire's design.Meanwhile, Alice, Rachel, and Tyas stared at Noah with curiosity.Noah was suddenly stunned when he heard Nova's words on the phone."What did you say, Mrs. Nova?! Mr. Knight won't come? How could he? We've been waiting for two hours. Didn't you say yesterday that Mr. Knight had already accepted my invitation?" Noah was in utter disbelief.He had spent all that time waiting for Mr. Knight.[Right. But Mr. Knight has changed his mind. He has more important things to do. And... in his opinion, your company is not qualified to work on the Golden Era project. Neither is the Rose Company] Noah's body froze. He couldn't believe what he had just heard.Seeing Noah frozen, Alice frowned. "Noah, what happened?" Alice asked Noah, who looked limp after the phone was turned off by Nova.Exhaling heavily, Noah wiped his face with the palm of his hand, then re
"Excuse me, miss. Here's your complimentary wine." Alice was surprised when a waitress came over to her table and placed 3 bottles of wine in front of her."Is this all for me?" asked Alice, pointing at herself.Rachel was also stunned. Because the price of wine in this bar is very expensive. Because the wine they served was the best.After getting the answer from the waitress, Alice smiled with a surprised face."Alice, it seems that the boss of this bar is here, and he is watching you. That's why he's giving you free wine." Rachel's words made both corners of Alice's lips smile."But I didn't see the man watching me." Alice's eyes wandered."Maybe he's hiding somewhere. To hell with that. We should just have a drink. This is the best wine. You have to share it with me!" Rachel poured the wine from the bottle into a glass.Alice nodded in agreement and drank it with Rachel.Unbeknownst to them, Alex and James were watching in silence. A satisfied smile appeared on Alex's lips."Mr. K
"Is she your first love?" asked Claire. A pang of jealousy entered her heart.Alex shook his head. "No.""Is she your happiest ex that you still can't forget?""Not really.""Is she a close friend of yours?"Alex shook his head again. "No.""Then who is she?" Claire's brow furrowed in curiosity."My grandmother," Alex replied.Claire was instantly stunned, while Alex laughed amusedly at his wife's annoyed face."You are! Why didn't you tell me earlier that the person you wanted me to meet was your grandmother? Why did you have to call her your favorite woman to upset me?"Alex laughed and pulled Claire closer to his body until the woman's head rested on Alex's chest. Alex ran his fingers through his wife's hair."Why is that? My grandmother is the woman I love the most in this world, next to you. Since my parents died, my grandmother and grandfather have taken care of me.""Where did your grandmother live?""In Germany.""And when is your grandmother coming to New York?" Claire asked.
"Mr. Joe, how can you decide for them to live in an exclusive unit when Alex hasn't even paid for the house?" Noah, feeling unacceptable, finally spoke up.Claire was also surprised by Joe's decision. However, she thought that maybe her husband's boss is actually a wealthy person who allowed them to live in an exclusive unit in Luxury Hills.Besides, Alex said, his boss is the owner of that elite housing."They don't have to pay. They can live in any unit they want in Luxury Hills," Joe replied.Noah narrowed his eyes. He shook his head slowly.Meanwhile, Alice's lips parted. Her hand squeezed the hem of her skirt. A look of envy was clearly reflected in her eyes. How could Claire, who had married a poor man, now officially live in Luxury Hills?"I have one more thing to say." Alex said as he crossed one leg over the other. His eyes looked directly at Joe. Then Alex pointed his finger at Noah and Alice."These two have been trying to make a scene here. They're being very disruptive. I
"What are you doing here? Picking out a house?" asked Alice with mockery in her tone. "Whatever we're doing, we don't have to tell you," Alex replied coldly, making the smile on Alice's face disappear in an instant.The look on Noah's face was clouded. He obviously didn't like his girlfriend being treated so coldly."Miss Claire and Mr. Alex are choosing the house they're going to buy. Would Mr. and Miss like to take a look at the houses that are still available in Luxury Hills?" the female officer replied to Noah and Alice in a friendly manner.A mocking smile played on their lips when they learned that Alex and Claire wanted to buy a house in Luxury Hills."I'm sorry, but as far as I know, houses in Luxury Hills are very expensive. Don't you think they might come up empty-handed?" Noah's eyes looked at Alex.And Alex returned them with a glare."Just leave them alone," Claire whispered. Before her husband could get angry, she quickly rubbed Alex's arm and soothed his anger."Mr. Al
Claire returned home with Alex.Claire had just finished showering this morning. Her smooth white body was wrapped only in a towel that stretched from her chest to her thighs.Meanwhile, her wet hair was loose and dripping with water, even though it had been scrubbed with a small towel before."Where's Alex? Did he go out? But where would he be this early in the morning?" Claire's brow furrowed when she didn't see her husband."Ouch, my acid reflux is starting up again. I need to eat breakfast first," Claire said, touching her stomach.Sure that Alex was out, Claire decided to leave the room wearing only a white towel.Her feet went into the kitchen. She made a few slices of marmalade bread, then devoured one of them."I think it would be better with tea." Claire made tea for herself and Alex.But she couldn't find a single tray in the kitchen. So Claire had to hold the two cups of tea with both hands.However, Claire's steps came to an abrupt halt when the edge of the towel on her ch
"Throw this bitch away like garbage!" Derek dragged Alice's body to the floor and then ordered Brian and Tom to drag Alice out of his hotel room.After enjoying Alice's body, Derek grinned broadly and sat back on the sofa, sipping his drink.Meanwhile, Alice was crying softly while wearing a tattered dress.Her hair was a mess, as was the thick makeup that had melted on her face. Lipstick had run down her chin and cheeks.Alice already looked like a creepy clown, or rather a madwoman."I have to send a picture of you to my boss," Derek said as he took a picture of Alice's tearful appearance and sent it to Alex.Yes, Derek considered Alex to be his boss now. He didn't want to die stupidly at Alex's hands or have his business destroyed, so Derek was willing to obey any orders from the figure of Mr. Knight.After sending a picture of Alice to Alex, Derek waved his hand in front of his face and ordered Tom and Brian to take Alice away imm
Alice had just come out of a fancy shopping mall.She carried several bags of groceries."It wasn't for nothing that Mom sold the garbage woman to the Mafia boss. Now I can buy lots of clothes, bags and jewelry from top brands. Turns out Claire is quite useful too," Alice muttered as she entered the basement of the mall with a smile on her face.However, she was surprised, when two men suddenly smothered her mouth from behind and dragged her into the car.Alice sat in the back seat with her hands tied behind her back with a rope. "Who are you guys? Let go of my hands! If you don't, I'll scream!" Alice threatened.The two people who had kidnapped her earlier were Tom and Brian."Just scream. No one will hear you," grinned Tom, who was sitting next to Alice.Brian, who was at the wheel, chimed in. "You better shut up, bitch! Just sit tight, and we won't hurt you.”Alice's eyes widened when someone dared to call her a bitch.But she could not escape as the car drove away from the mall a
Nancy? This name Alex would remember in his mind as the one who tried to cause trouble for his wife. Alex's blood immediately boiled over. His grip on Tom's shirt collar tightened even more, leaving Tom almost out of breath, but finally Alex released his grip with a rough motion.He took Claire's unconscious body into his arms.As he held Claire, Alex growled angrily and said. "I'm not going to kill you, but there is one condition..."***At the Graham home.Nancy laughed at the many bills she had spread out on the living room table.Alice was smiling too. There was an irresistible gleam of joy in her eyes."Mom, so you sold Claire to a mob boss?" asked Alice, looking both happy and surprised.Clutching the money to her chest, Nancy nodded. "That's right, dear.""But why did you do it?""Our company is unstable after many investors withdrew their cooperation with us. We need money to save the company. Isn't this the most appropriate way?"Alice nodded her head, then smiled. It was tr
This weekend, Claire took Alex to the hospital to see her mother."My mom will be so happy to see us," Claire said as she walked into the hospital, holding Alex's arm.Alex smiled and nodded his head. "Yes. I'm sure she misses her only son-in-law a lot too." Alex's joke made Claire laugh. Just then, they ran into an administrator named Stella. Stella looked surprised to see Alex with Claire.Back then, Claire had asked Stella about the man who had paid her mother's hospital bill. But Stella couldn't answer, and now Stella saw that man standing next to Claire."Sir..." just as Stella was about to speak, Alex suddenly signaled with his eyes for silence.Understanding Alex's gesture, Stella slowly nodded, then looked down and walked past them as if she had never seen Alex before.Claire's forehead wrinkled at Stella's departure, however. Then her eyes looked at Alex with a curious expression."Why does that administrator seem to want to greet you?""What's wrong, Claire? Are you jealo