Claire was dumbfounded, then her eyes glanced at Alice who wore a satisfied smile.Claire shook her head. "I didn't steal! I don't even know how your bracelet ended up in my pocket.""Then you're saying that my bracelet would walk on its own and fit into your pocket? Is that it? Don't beat around the bush! The evidence is clear that you stole my bracelet!" Grace snapped loudly. Grabbing the bracelet from Claire's hand, she pushed Claire's shoulder.Noah was flabbergasted, his eyes narrowed as he stared at Claire, his mind unable to comprehend that Claire would do such a low thing in a foreign country.Meanwhile, Alice laughed contentedly to herself while holding her hands in her lap, watching the exciting show in front of her, where Claire was being judged and had her face splashed with water by Grace.“How does it feel to be judged and humiliated in public, Claire? That's exactly what you deserve.” Alice said in her heart."Claire, I didn't expect you to steal other people's valuable
“Claire, I'm sorry that I came late to make them hurt you like this.” Alex brought Claire to sit on an empty chair that was still near the hotel.Alex felt guilty looking at Claire's hair that was still wet from being splashed by Grace.Alex's hand gently rubbed his wife's hand which had been firmly restrained by security."It's okay. Thank you for helping me. But you really believe that I didn't steal, right?"Alex smiled a little, nodding his head. "Of course. My wife is a good woman. I trust you more than I trust myself."Claire returned the smile when Alex's finger lifted a strand of her long hair and tucked it behind her ear."But how can you have that much money? Sorry, you're just a construction worker and you haven't been working for long. I don't think it's possible for you to accumulate that much money from your salary," Claire asked, her eyebrows furrowed as she looked at Alex.Meanwhile, the one being stared at was now stunned into silence. Alex was at a loss as to what to
"Claire, I apologize to you. I was actually the one who took the diamond bracelet from that woman's bag, then put it in your skirt pocket to humiliate you. Please forgive me!" that's what Alice said in the video recording.Smiling broadly, Grace immediately saved the video, then slapped Alice very hard across the face.“I did what you told me to do, why are you still slapping me?” asked Alice, protesting while holding her own cheeks.Her eyes stared intently at Grace.“It's payback for you daring to accuse Claire.”A second slap landed on Alice's cheek. “That's for your impudence in taking my bracelet!”Grace capped off her bullying by pouring a cup of coffee water on Alice's face until her face, hair and shirt front were wet and dirty.“Now I consider everything even, Alice. I hope next time you'll think before bothering Claire. Or you'll be forcibly kicked out of this hotel!” Grace said with a lopsided smile, then she hooked her bag on her arm and walked away leaving Alice stunned.
“I didn't see you when I woke up, so I looked for you here,” Claire replied.Vincent stood up and smiled awkwardly at Claire's probing gaze.“Hi, Miss Claire. How are you?”“Mr. Vincent, you're in Australia too? It's good to see you. But, why didn't Alex tell me that his boss is also in the same country as us?”Instead of answering Vincent's greeting, Claire asked a question that made both men's bodies stiffen.Alex lightly ruffled his hair, then rubbed the back of his neck.It seemed like Claire's suspicions would grow even more after seeing his company with Vincent.“Actually, I just arrived in Australia yesterday, and I'm also staying at the same hotel as you guys,” Vincent said, trying to package his lie to make Claire believe him.“Is that so? By the way, Mr. Vincent. I thank you for the free vacation to Australia. Again and again, my husband and I are indebted to you.” “You're welcome. Have a wonderful honeymoon,” Vincent smiled back. “Please excuse me. I have some business to
“You're going out? Why didn't you invite me?” Claire asked Alex with a pouty face.After having dinner together, Alex suddenly said that he had to go out and would leave Claire alone at the hotel.Claire's lips immediately pursed. This was because Alex had never left her alone at the hotel at night.“Just for a little while, Claire. I promise I'll be back soon.”“But where are you going?”“I'm going to meet my friend. He happens to be in Australia and asked me to meet him outside the hotel. The weather outside isn't great, so it's best if you don't come along. I'm afraid you'll get sick. You understand that, right?” Alex's hand rubbed his wife's flushed cheeks.Although her face showed a disappointed look, Claire finally nodded her head.“Okay, off you go. But don't forget to come back as soon as possible. I'll be very lonely at the hotel.”“Sure, I'll definitely go home as soon as possible. But you're really okay, right?”Claire shook her head.“Try smiling first to make me believe i
“Alice must have been confused looking for Mr. Knight. Go ahead and search all you want, Alice! Until Mr. Knight himself reveals his identity, you will never meet Mr. Knight,” Vincent thought while playing with the ballpoint pen he was holding.“Miss, have you found your husband yet?” the security asked Alice, as she just stood still and stared around.“Not yet. My husband is not here.” Alice replied.“Who is the husband she's referring to? All the guests are already present in this meeting room. Who are you looking for?” asked one of the company officials who was annoyed at Alice for her impudence.“Miss, is your husband really one of the company officials attending this meeting or are you just lying?” security was getting annoyed and felt played.“Sorry, I think I entered the wrong room. I just remembered that my husband is not holding a meeting at this hotel. Sorry for interrupting your meeting. Please continue again. Excuse me!” afraid of being caught lying, Alice bowed, then move
“If you like it, I'll buy it later.”Claire quickly shook her head. “No, you won't. You don't need to waste money on a perfume. I actually always like your scent no matter what it is.”Alex smiled when Claire hugged him again. She returned the hug with a warm embrace.Suddenly the ringing sound of Alex's cell phone interrupted their intimacy. Alex excused himself briefly to pick up a call from Vincent.“Hello? What's up, Vincent?”“Mr. Alex, seriously, I just got word from the office that someone was caught on a hidden camera trying to plant a bomb near your office.”“What?! Who is it?”“An assistant manager at Golden Era. He started working about a month ago and today he tried to get into the CEO's office. But he was caught. And he confessed that he was the one who spread the news about you coming to Australia. He knows your true identity, sir.” Vincent explained.Hearing that, Alex's blood boiled. His hand that was holding the cell phone, now turned to clutching it.“What do we do n
Since returning from her honeymoon with Alex, Claire has not taken the time to visit her mother at home.Therefore, today she deliberately came alone to her mother's house while bringing a fruit parcel for her mother.However, Claire was surprised to see Alice who had just come out of her mother's house.“Alice! Why are you here? What are you doing to my mom?!” said Claire with a suspicious look.“I'm just visiting my step sister's mother. What's wrong with that?”“Lies! I'm sure you must have come to my mom with bad intentions. Didn't you?”Folding her hands in front of her chest, Alice then shrugged her shoulders. “You're always getting on my nerves. Suit yourself. I'm in a hurry. Bye!” Alice left with a grin.It made Claire's suspicion even more intense.Feeling worried, Claire immediately went inside her mother's house and approached her with a worried face.“Mama. I saw Alice come here earlier. Did she hurt you?” she placed the fruit parcel on the small table, and then Claire exa
“You'll know after seeing my mom's room number.”Brant nodded obediently, not forcing Claire to tell him.Seeing that there were many nurses and doctors walking ahead, Claire immediately quickened her pace and deliberately caught Brant off guard.“Mrs. Knight?!” called Brant looking for Claire who had now disappeared in the blink of an eye just by overtaking several doctors and nurses who were walking in a hurry.Brant tried to find Claire, but he lost track.“Looks like Mrs. Knight doesn't want to be told by me. I have to tell Mr. Knight right away!” exclaimed Brant, taking his cell phone out of his pants pocket and putting it to his right ear.[Hello, what's up Brant?]“Hello, Mr. Knight. I'm sorry, I lost track of Mrs. Knight.”[What?! How could you?! Didn't I order you to stay with her?]“That's right, sir. I've been with her ever since. But Mrs. Knight walked qui
“Alice, Daddy knows you are very smart and always reliable. Whatever your idea is, Daddy will support it. Let's do it together so that our house won't be seized and our family company will be safe.”“Daddy's sure, my idea is a bit outrageous, but after all, Daddy wouldn't let us live on the streets, right? It's for our own good.”“Don't hesitate to say it, Alice! It's okay. Papa will agree with your idea. Quickly tell us what idea you have?” asked Graham enthusiastically.Nancy nodded quickly. Her face looked just as curious as Graham's.“What if we...” Alice began to share an idea she had that would allow them to save the company and their home.Hearing that, big smiles spread across Graham and Nancy's lips.From the look on their faces, it seemed that Graham and Nancy were very much in agreement with the plan that their daughter had.***“What's Daddy calling me about?&rdq
Alex leads Claire to the car.He opened the car door for Claire. Claire got inside and sat nervously on the passenger seat beside the driver's seat.The heat was running through her body. It felt like Claire wanted to take off her clothes right now and feel the touch of Alex's warm hands.Once inside the car, Alex immediately touched Claire's cheek and pulled her in so that he could kiss her lips gently.Claire enjoyed it. The influence of the drug made her sanity a little drained. Her hand unconsciously went to what was protruding under Alex's pants and caressed it.“You really can't stand it?” asked Alex, whispering in between his paused kisses.Claire's sad eyes implied resignation. Her head nodded slowly.“I can't take it anymore, Alex. Help me,” she whispered.Alex quickly took off the suit he was wearing, then threw it on the back seat.He opened his tie and shirt buttons one by one un
“Noah. Don't do that to me! Don't you dare touch me! I don't want to! Let go of me, Noah!”“But unfortunately your body demands that I satisfy you because the medicine I mixed into your drink has already taken effect. So, you don't have to be embarrassed and hold back. I will help you fulfill your desire, Claire.”Claire's eyeballs widened. It turned out that all of this was really Noah's plan.Noah had organized everything carefully.“Come on Claire! Let's do the foreplay now. I can't wait to enjoy your beautiful body.” Noah unbuttoned his shirt one by one. Then he threw it in any direction.After that, Noah also took off his belt. While he looked at Claire who was silent. But sweat started to appear around her neck and forehead.Then Noah approached Claire again with his body almost naked. Only the triangular cloth wrapped around his waist.“Noah... Please let me go!” Claire whimpered.
Meanwhile, Brant was watching Claire who was now hugging Jenny to give her a gift.The two friends were talking to each other and smiling widely.Unbeknownst to Brant, a waiter approached and poured a drink into his glass.Unsuspecting, Brant gulped down the drink until half was left.After a few minutes, Brant felt his eyes become heavy. He was very sleepy.“Why am I suddenly so sleepy?” he mumbled in wonder as he tried to widen his eyes so he wouldn't fall asleep.Eventually, Brant fell asleep in a sitting position with his head on the table.At the same time, Noah approached the table where Claire had been sitting.While Claire was busy chatting with Jenny, Noah was now pouring something into Claire's orange juice.Then his lips broke into a lopsided smile. “Tonight you must be mine, Claire. I'm sure Mr. Knight won't want you anymore after knowing I touched you,” Noah said and grinned.&
“Alex, all this...” Claire couldn't continue her words because she was so moved.But at that moment Alex hugged her from behind and he whispered in Claire's left ear.“I decorated all of this,” Alex whispered, telling his wife that he was the one who had decorated their room to be as romantic as possible.Hearing Alex's answer, Claire raised one eyebrow.“You decorated it?”Alex nodded his head.“Yes. Do you like it, dear?” Alex asked Claire as he patted his wife's left shoulder.With her eyes glazed over, Claire then nodded her head and she still gazed fondly at the entire corner of her room.“Yes. I really, really, really like it. I didn't expect you to be so good at decorating this room. I didn't know you had a romantic side,” Claire replied.Alex laughed at his wife's words. He released his embrace and now turned Claire around and cupped his hands on her che
Coming home from the mall, Claire was surprised to see her husband's car parked neatly in the front yard.Sure enough, her husband was home and greeted her at the doorway.“Alex? Are you home?” asked Claire, approaching Alex and pecking his right cheek.There were some groceries that Claire carried in her hand. Alex helped carry some of his wife's groceries. “I heard from Brant that you deliberately left the house without his knowledge.”Claire silently bit her lip. Alex's eyeballs glared at her sharply, making her stutter.“I just don't like-”“Don't like being watched?” guessed Alex.Claire nodded slowly.Alex let out a rough breath, then rubbed his face. “Claire, I hired Brant to have someone look after you when I'm not around. Besides, he can follow you from a distance if you feel uncomfortable.”Claire's head bowed deeply. Her hands gripped the strap of her grocery bag tightly.Her lips pursed. She had expected Alex to get angry if he found out she left without her bodyguard.“I
After work, Claire went to the mall to buy some personal items.Alex couldn't accompany her because he had an important meeting with a client.Even so, Alex doesn't let his wife travel without security.He hired a bodyguard named Brant to guard and accompany Claire everywhere.However, Claire deliberately leaves the house quietly so that Brant won't follow her. Because she wanted to go shopping to the mall only accompanied by Jenny, who is her best friend.However, while she was busy shopping, Claire was visited by Noah, who approached her with a face full of regret. “Hi, Claire!” “You?!” squealed Claire, raising one eyebrow.Jenny snorted, folding her arms across her chest. “Stop bothering Claire! You dumped her a long time ago, so don't even try to get close to her!”“I have no business with you! My business is with Claire,” Noah snapped back, glaring at Jenny. Then Noah turned his gaze to Claire. His eyes, which used to stare resentfully at Claire, were now soft and regretful.
“What about the thugs you sent to Graham's house? Did they do their job properly?” Alex asked Vincent over the phone. He asked in a whisper so as not to be heard by his wife who was currently getting a hair dryer from outside the room to dry her wet hair. [Everything is according to your orders, Mr. Knight. They destroyed things in Graham's house and threatened Alice and her mother. Unfortunately, Graham was not at home, so he did not receive any threats]“It doesn't matter. The important thing is that they've scared those two scheming women. I hope my warning will deter Alice and stop disturbing my household.”[Don't worry, Mr. Knight. If Alice dares to disturb your family, I will give her a heavier punishment] Vincent said like a loyal subordinate.At the same time, Claire came back into the room still with a white towel wrapped around her body. She glanced at Alex who was talking to Vincent on the phone.Claire only glanced at her husband for a moment, then she chose to continue