“Claire, you have disappointed me a lot.”
Claire looked down, “But it was only once, Dad. Gran, just one time. I never did that again.”
“You useless grandson! You've tarnished the good name of the Michel family in front of the company officials,” Christine said, looking annoyed at her granddaughter.
“Nana, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it.”
“But all the bigwigs of this company know, Claire. And even the pictures of you with that obscure man were on display earlier. What else can you do?” Henry said in a fit of rage.
Claire was choked up.
A few hours later, Claire was sitting on the floor in front of all the Michel family members who were all sitting on chairs.
The girl could only look down deeply, not knowing what to do.
Jasmine, Claire's younger sister who had just returned from college, was also there but chose to remain a silent spectator.
“Ludwig's family has been in touch, they broke off your engagement. Now, he is going to North Carolina to forget about you,” Christine started the conversation.
Claire looked up in surprise, “He knows about it? But where did he find out, Nana?"
“Of course he knows. He even got the video and pictures of you half-naked with that other guy. Do you think, after he knew that, he would still contact you?” Lindsay said sharply.
Claire's thoughts were already getting muddled.
“But I really never intended to betray Ludwig. I was drunk that time, Mom. I didn't know that ....”
“Never mind, we don't need to hear your excuses, Claire. Ludwig has confirmed that the night you lied to him. He said clearly that you went to the club secretly that night. Now, tell us who the man with you was!” Christine said.
Claire was speechless.
How could she say it? She didn't know, she only remembered his face.
“Why won't you answer?” Christine had lost her patience.
She had really lost face today. The video and photos had spread in no time.
Now, her proud granddaughter had become a byword in her company.
Unfortunately, Claire had become a byword not for her achievements, but for the scandal she had created.
“I ... can't say, Gran.”
Henry glared, “Are you crazy, Claire? You've tarnished the family's reputation by acting wildly, he had to marry you to cover up your scandal. So you won't tell me the identity of that bastard?”
Claire was silent, not knowing how to answer.
“Or are you deliberately hiding his identity, is that it?”
Claire's beautiful eyes widened.
“No, Gran. I ....”
“If you don't want to tell me, you can leave this house,” Christine said.
Claire's pupils dilated.
“But, Nana. I am really sorry. I won't do it again, please forgive me.”
Christine looked sharply at her granddaughter.
“If you don't want to say it, then just leave this house and never come back to this family again!” Christine said coldly.
“Gran, please. Please give me one more chance, I promise to make you proud. Trust me!” Claire pleaded.
“What? Proud? That video of yours has destroyed our family's reputation in front of the higher-ups. You want to ruin the family's reputation even more, Claire, by bringing you into the company?” Christine accused.
Lindsay, who had been silent, began to speak, “We can find a hired husband for Claire, Mom.”
“Lindsay. You think it's that easy? Don't be crazy!” Christine snapped uncontrollably, causing Lindsay to jump in surprise.
“Is there any guarantee that the person we're paying won't spill the beans about the incident? We could be blackmailed,” Christine retorted.
Lindsay closed her mouth tightly, feeling it was useless to give her opinion.
Her mother-in-law was so hard-hearted. There was no way she would listen to what she had to say.
The hope that had arisen slowly disappeared from Ananta's mind. She got up slowly, “All right, if that's what you want, Nana. I will leave this house.”
“Claire!” Henry screeched, somewhat surprised that his daughter had chosen that path.
Christine took a deep breath and said flatly, “Please leave this house. From this moment on, you are not part of this family anymore. And don't you dare use the name 'Michel' after your name. Do you understand?”
It hurt.
Very painful.
That's how Claire felt right now but she tried to be strong. She knew her grandmother's mind was made up.
“Okay, Gran. I will never return to this house again and leave the family surname 'Michel'.”
Christine nodded in satisfaction. At least one of the troublemakers in her family would soon be leaving the house.
Once her granddaughter was gone, all she had to do was erase his footsteps so that no one could ever bring down the family name again.
With tears beginning to fall down her cheeks, Claire turned and moved towards her room. She hurriedly carried the few items she deemed important and then headed down the stairs once she had finished packing and changing.
It was hard to leave her extended family, but she had no other choice.
Her family was still waiting in the living room, making her feel like she was being watched.
With a broken heart she said, “I leave, Dad, Mom, Grandma, Jasmine.”
No one replied to her words but Jasmine , her younger sister, rushed into her sisterr's arms, hugging her tightly and crying even though it was a fake cry.
Of course, this was something she had wanted for a long time because this way she would be able to approach Ludwig Beyer, the man who had stolen her heart all those years ago and who was now her sister's ex-fiancé.
Lindsay herself had shed tears but she repeatedly wiped them away. Meanwhile, Henry chose to harden his own heart and thought that his daughter deserved this punishment.
“I go now, Jasmine,” Claire said.
The young girl started to drag her suitcase but just as she took a step, she suddenly heard her grandmother say, “Stop!”
Reflexively Claire stopped her footsteps, turned to her grandmother and looked at her expectantly.
“Yes, Grandma?” Claire said with bated breath.
Could it be that her grandmother had canceled her intention?
Would she be given another chance?
Claire's hope began to rise.
“Yes, Nana?”
Christine coldly said, “Take out all your debit and credit cards. Lock up the car and all the perks you get from me.”
Claire's eyes almost popped out of their sockets when she heard that, “Nana, but I ....”
“Mom, how can Claire survive if she has nothing?” Lindsay said, shocked. She had never expected Christine to be that kind to her granddaughter.She then added, “Mom, please let her carry it all.” “No. Let's take out all the facilities that I gave you, Claire!” Christine commanded, not wanting to be denied.With tear-filled eyes, Clairer reached into her wallet and took out all the cards she had and the car keys. She wiped her tears and left the living room. Before she reached the door, she heard her grandmother still grumbling, “What does she think it's like to live outside? Let her understand how hard it is to live outside.” Claire closed her eyes for a moment, endured the pain in her heart and then walked quickly away from the house. She stopped a taxi. “Sir, could you please lift the suitcase?” “Oh, yes ma'am, just a moment.” Jasmine watched her sister's departure from the window. After the taxi left the front yard of the Michel family home, Jasmine grinned, “I'm sorry, Sist
“Nothing was recorded that day, sir. It seems like the CCTV in the whole building was broken that night,” Andrew replied. “Why is that? She was nowhere to be found and even the CCTV was broken at that time. Don't you think this is strange?” Felix began to feel that there was something odd about it. Andrew responded, “In my opinion, there could have been a malfunction, sir. And since the photos aren't very clear either, then ....” Felix gave him a sharp look that prevented Andrew from finishing his sentence. “This is strange. I'm even more curious. Who exactly is she? Is it possible that she's not a comfort woman?” he muttered in confusion. Andrew was still silent. “Have you questioned the staff here?” “I have, sir. Twice, in fact. But their answers remain the same. No one knows that woman.”Felix touched his chin, growing increasingly clueless. “It gets weirder. Andrew, investigate again. I don't want to know, you have to find her at all costs.” However, day after day passed,
Sherly clicked her tongue, "I just came in last night, right after you got home." "Why all of a sudden, ma'am?" Claire said in surprise. "Yeah, I don't know, he basically brought a big group and booked all the parts in the Cleveland area." Claire gaped. She immediately sat down in her chair and opened the information screen. The area in question was the area with the most complete facilities in the resort and of course the prices were the highest. "Crazy. He must be really rich to have booked the whole area. How could he have paid for it all again?" Claire stared at the screen in disbelief. Sherly nodded with a smile on her face, "Are you in charge of the welcome event?" "Why me, ma'am? Wouldn't you do it if you had such a big client?" Claire asked in surprise. "Just you this time, I have business outside the resort for a few days," Sherly said. Claire sighed. "Don't stress too much about looking like that! There's an extra bonus," Sherly said. Claire, who was originally wea
Stuttering, Claire let the strange man take the bouquet of flowers but she herself was still stunned. No, Claire. He can't possibly remember you. That was many years ago. This man in front of you is Don Juan. How could he possibly remember one of his prey? You're just thinking too much, Claire. The woman shook her head, trying to convince herself that the strange man had really forgotten about her. Felix cleared his throat quite loudly until Claire finally woke up from her reverie and immediately said, "Sir, come with us!" Felix didn't reply and just stared at Claire flatly, but strangely, Claire knew that the man was waiting for her to show him the way. With mixed hearts, Claire walked in front of Felix, followed by a group of all members of the Homann family. They were directed to a room that had been prepared beforehand. "Please enjoy your time, Sir, Maam." Claire said politely, trying to calm herself down but failing. However, seeing Felix's flat attitude, it seemed that C
Seeing the little boy's ocean blue eyes, Felix felt something strange coming over him. An unfamiliar feeling. Feelings of pity and not having the heart. Suddenly, with just that look, Felix suddenly melted, "Okay, okay. I ... will save him for you." The little boy immediately smiled broadly, showing off his row of neat white teeth. Felix quickly climbed the tree very easily, then freed the kitten that was entangled in the rope and took him down. He handed it to the child. The little boy screamed happily when the furry animal was in his arms. His eyes looked sparkling. Felix smiled unconsciously. He watched the little boy pet the cat with such tenderness that Felix couldn't seem to take his eyes off the little boy. "Cute cat, you're safe. Play happily, okay?" The little boy then let go and the kitten ran away from them. Felix immediately frowned, looking surprised, "Why did you let him go?" “To let him play, Uncle!!" the boy said and he reached out his hand to Felix.Felix rai
“Oh, yes, fine. Please wait. I'll be right there, sir,” Claire said.As soon as Claire hung up the call, several staff were seen waiting for Claire's reaction.However, Jason, who clearly did not have the patience of a dictionary, asked, “How is it, ma'am?Who's calling from Cleveland, ma'am?”The call directed at Claire's line number was a call that clearly came only from the Cleveland building. Others would usually be directed to other lines.“Room number 2.”Jason widened his eyes, “That handsome British guy?”Claire snorted, “All the men in Cleveland's rooms are British, Jason.”Claire did not deny that fact.“Uh, Ms. Claire. I mean the blond guy you gave a bouquet of flowers to earlier. The rich one,” Jason explained.Claire cringed in surprise, “The rich one? What's that nickname again?”Another staff member commented, “Ms. Claire, seriously? Didn't you know that, ma'am? Mr. Felix Homann who rented the Cleveland is really rich, ma'am. Earlier, we did some googling. Do you know,
Claire looked at her friend with a confused look, "What should I do now?" Haruka hurriedly put the hot chocolate on the table and said, "Wait a minute, Claire. Are you ... sure it's him? That man?" Haruka looked even more nervous than Claire. "Yes. It's really him. It's him, Haruka."Claire took a deep breath. The man's shadow suddenly appeared in front of her and beside him was a little boy, her own son in comparison. Suddenly, Claire immediately swallowed nervously, "Blonde hair, blue eyes. He looks a lot like Sean. Oh, no. I mean Sean looks a lot like him." "Oh my God. They are very, very similar, Haruka." Claire looked so weak when she explained this. Now she couldn't think straight anymore.“Claire, remember again. Maybe you have the wrong person, Claire." Caire shook her head, of course she couldn't be mistaken. When it came to physical matters, Sean and elixl were indeed similar. At first she thought that she might have guessed wrong, but after she heard the man mentio
"Don't screw up! Who likes someone just because they met once? In fact, we didn't talk about anything, Haruka," Claire denied.Haruka smirked, "No chatting? Sure?""Yes, I was drunk. How can we talk?" Claire said, that made sense."How about in bed? Did you or did you not make a sound?" Haruka asked.Claire raised one eyebrow, "What do you mean?"Haruka said with a smile, "Oh, Baby. This is so amazing."The girl even made a sighing sound that made Claire's earlobe instantly turn pink."Yes, yes there. I like you, I-"Haruka didn't have time to continue because Claire had thrown her with a pillow. The girl was even a crybaby."Hey, you are. I've been watching a lot of blue movies so far, so good!" Claire was a little upset.Instead of correcting her words, Haruka said, "Seriously, Claire. I'm sure the two of you must have said things like that and it could be that the guy remembered you because of your sexy voice. You-""Uh, wait. I was right.""Claire."Claire was now chasing her frie
“Good morning, sir,” the two staff stammered.Felix replied with a nod and soon he was walking faster towards his office.There he already saw Claire setting up his desk.“Good morning, Sir!” Claire greeted as usual but the man strangely did not reply.Claire frowned and started to get a little flustered but he tried to act casual as if Felix was ignoring her.“Would you like some coffee now, sir?” Claire asked.Felix replied, “No.”He walked over to his desk and then sat down for a few minutes but eventually stood back up.Claire watched in surprise.“Andrew, get the car ready!” Felix ordered.Claire was of course surprised by the order but she saw that Andrew said nothing and just did as he was told.What was going on?However, as soon as Andrew walked out of the room, Claire quickly asked, “Sir, are you leaving?”&ldquo
Andrew realized that his employer's calmness was now unmanageable. So, he did not want to remain silent.“What would you like to order me to do, sir?” Andrew asked cautiously.Felix Homann shook his head quickly, “Nothing. I want to try to tease her first without any information about her.”Andrew looked somewhat surprised by Felix's statement which he found quite convincing even though he had only heard the statement that day.“Are you sure, sir? Wouldn't it be better for us to know her family background? That would be of great benefit to you, sir,” Andrew explained.Felix shook his head, “That would complicate things. I told you, I just want to sleep with her.”Andrew couldn't believe it. If it was just about bed needs, he was pretty sure that there were more women who could satisfy Felix in bed.Of course, there was little else to it so Felix put himself aside and focused
Felix waited expectantly. He thought that maybe Andrew's suggestion would hit the mark so that he wouldn't have to struggle to think of a strategy to get Claire into his bed.“Sir, you could ask Ms. Claire to go to the nightclub again,” Andrew said.Felix had never thought of that method after hearing Claire say that she was not a single woman. Felix thought his loyal friend had a brilliant idea but it turned out to be an empty idea that was unlikely to work.“Did you forget that she already rejected me?” Felix asked at last. The man made an annoyed face, as if he had just been reminded of Claire's rejection before he became CEO of the Himalaya Resort.“That was just the first try, sir,” Andrew replied, still trying to encourage his master even though he wasn't too sure himself.“Who knows, the next try might even work. What's more, Ms. Claire already knows who you are and you're the CEO of her place of work. How could she refuse a superior's order?” Andrew said.No, she can't. She'
Sean looked at Felix with his innocent face.Suddenly Felix sensed something strange in the boy's expression.“Tell me, why do you intend to hide from me?” Felix asked.Sean was silent. “Why? Don't you want to tell me? You don't consider me your friend anymore, do you?” Felix really felt so very disappointed and this was again the first time he felt that way.Sean immediately shook his head, “No, Uncle. I consider you as my best friend. It's just that ....”“What's wrong? You can tell me anything,” Felix said, deliberately wanting to make the little boy more open.He didn't want to be seen as a pushover but he really wanted to know what was on Sean's mind.Sean seemed to be hesitating but when he observed the face of an uncle who had often accompanied him to play when he was waiting for his mother to work, he felt safe to tell him.“Won't you tell anyone if I tell you everything?” Sean asked.Without hesitation the man replied, “Of course, sweet boy. I always keep my word. You don't
"What do you have to fear? Even if someone recognizes you, they won't be able to do anything," Felix said.The man was now truly a CEO and not a man pursuing a woman he wanted.Felix Homann was known to be able to separate the world of work and his personal affairs.If he was in a situation where he had to bring out his ability to deal with various problems in his company then it was certain that the man would put his own personal problems aside."Yes, sir." After all, Claire had no choice but to obey the CEO's orders."Let's go in!" Felix called and she quickly followed behind him along with Andrew.Once the stranger had arrived at the lobby, he was immediately greeted by several staff members.This was of course because Felix's appearance was so convincing that he was treated much better than the usual guests."Sir, then please come with us!" a very pretty female staff member said.Claire suspected that the woman was in the same position as she had been because obviously one of the
When Andrew was about to open his mouth to answer Claire's question, Felix suddenly raised his hand and asked his trusted man to be quiet.Claire immediately turned to Felix who then said, "You will be my personal secretary."For a moment Claire looked speechless but after he understood what Felix had just said, Claire widened his eyes, "What do you mean? I am to be your personal secretary?""Yes."Claire couldn't believe it but the man who had become the CEO of the Himalaya resort changed again, "You're not cut out to be an assistant manager and that's evident from the fact that you've failed to overcome previous problems."Indeed when Felix understood the nature of Claire's problem, he felt he had found a solution that would enable him to bring Claire to her knees.He did not know the background that made Claire look unprofessional when serving the Michel family. But he did not care about that reason because all he could think about at the moment was how he could get close to Clair
Oh, no. Claire forced herself to smile and then pinched her own cheeks to wake up.She really thought she might be dreaming or perhaps daydreaming.There was no way that Felix Homann was the CEO of the resort where he earned money for his son.It was simply impossible and there was only a fraction of a percent chance that it could happen.However, Claire felt a twinge of pain as she tugged at her right cheek and had to gasp in shock when she discovered that it was indeed a reality that she had to accept.The sound of applause and noise soon filled the building. Claire also joined in the applause even though in her heart she was extremely agitated.“Wow! That's amazing!” “We are so lucky to have a CEO like him!”Others also responded, “Under his leadership, our resort will definitely progress further.”“Yeah, he's known for his cold hands in the business world so there's no doubt about that,” added another.Jason, the staff standing right beside Claire also chimed in, “But, don't yo
Ludwig just realized that he had really made a big mistake when he decided to marry Jasmine.The woman who had been his wife for several years was a very stubborn woman and had a very different nature than her brother.However, he no longer wanted to feel pressured by his wife so he calmly retorted, “If you dare to divulge all the secrets of our marriage then I won't keep our marriage either.”Jasmine widened her eyes, staring in disbelief at her husband. “What do you mean?”“Divorce,” Ludwig replied.Jasmine's lips instantly trembled when she heard it, “You're joking right? There's no way you're going to do that. You can't divorce me.”“Why not, Jasmine?” Ludwig replied still with a very calm expression.Jasmine said back with her chin up, “Because your family depends on my family. My family saved your family's honor from destruction. Your mother's father would never allow you to divorce me.”Ludwig was silent for a few moments and that gave Jasmine the upper hand.She believed that
As a good boy, Sean also kept his promise and never said the things that had been whispered to him by Felix to anyone.The little boy didn't even tell his mother and just smiled happily when his mother asked him to go to bed at night.On the other side of the world, Michel and Bayer's family were holding a celebration of Ludwig Beyer's success in managing his own business.The celebration was held in a very luxurious hotel and was attended by many business people in Indonesia.All members of the two families were present and were seen wearing big smiles as they greeted the guests.It was also seen on the lips of Jasmine Michel who was seen accompanying her husband wherever Ludwig went.Jasmine was currently standing next to Ludwig to welcome some of the city's top CEOs.“Besides your business running so smoothly, you are also so smart to have chosen one of the daughters of a famous businessman as your spouse,” one of the guests said, which instantly made Jasmine smile widely.Ludwig r