“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, Sis
“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 we
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
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 ra
Montreal, CanadaThe music at the nightclub was deafening. But instead, it made Claire so happy that she expressed herself more through dance.She climbed onto the stage and people began to cheer at her dance moves.Meanwhile, in the southern part of the nightclub, a tall, athletic, good-looking man stood holding his wine glass.That man was Felix Homann, a man of British descent who was enjoying his time at the club after finishing his business.So many women were trying to catch his eye and flirt with him but he ignored them all.Right now he could be seen staring in amazement at Claire, the girl wearing the fiery red dress who had captured the attention of the club goers with her beautiful dancing. The girl was not only beautiful but also very attractive. Captivated by her beautiful face, Felix immediately said to the assistant, “She's very beautiful. Is she one of the dancers at this club?” “I don't know, sir. But judging by her style of dress, she's probably a prostitute,” An