Claire’s skin was smooth. Her slender neck had a lovely curve to it. Her wet skin from the shower made her incredibly alluring.Her thoughts were on going to the closet to get her clothes. She failed to notice Javier was on the couch as she passed through the living room. His eyes were closed at the time as he was resting. The sudden movements jolted him awake, and he opened his eyes. Claire was half-naked when he saw her, wrapped in the towel.Dazed, Javier was about to call out to her. But then, he discovered that she didn’t notice he was there. He wasn’t sure why, but he found himself drawn to Claire’s figure and couldn’t shake it.Claire did not notice the scorching gaze directed at her. Instead, she opened the closet and searched for her clothes. But there were too many to choose from, so she was in a slight dilemma. While she was rummaging through the closet, her towel dropped. Naked, Claire could feel a sudden breeze and quickly squatted down to pick up the towel. When Clai
Claire noticed it was already evening and went to the kindergarten to pick up Ollie after school.Many parents had also gathered outside, waiting to pick up their children.She looked at the entrance when the school bell rang and saw Ollie running into her embrace with all his might on his short legs.“I’m so happy you’ve come to get me, Mommy,” he said in a spoilt tone as he snuggled his face into her shirt.Claire abruptly felt discomfort in her heart and was about to carry him and leave when she noticed him staring off beyond her shoulder.She looked inquisitively at him. “What are you looking at, Ollie?”“Where’s Dad, Mommy? Isn’t he here?” He looked up at her with his big eyes, looking both perplexed and hopeful.Feeling a sudden ache in her heart at Ollie’s expression, she couldn’t help embracing him and stroking his back. “Your father is outstation and won’t be back for a few days, Ollie. That’s why he isn’t here,” she explained after some thought.“Oh, I see. Then does
Ollie’s eyes turned red, and he instantly burst into tears—no child could withstand such insult and hostility.“I do have a dad, and he dropped me off just a few days ago! I’m not some kid who doesn’t have a dad. You’re lying!” Ollie sobbed angrily, looking very pitiful. Claire felt her heart ache and immediately pulled Ollie into her embrace.Seeing Ollie’s upset state, one of the little girls hurriedly said to her mother, “Ollie isn’t lying, mommy. I’ve seen his daddy, and he’s very handsome.”The girl’s mother had a nervous expression as she hurriedly left the scene with her daughter while saying, “From now on, don’t get involved with things that aren’t related to you, understood?”Everyone knew who Angelica Kendall was and that she was part of the Kendall Group—no one dared to offend her, especially now.Angelica was even more pleased when she saw how apprehensive everyone was about offending her. Taking advantage of the situation, she scoffed and added, “Look, this child is s
“You bitch, how dare you slap me!”Angelica instantly went nuts as she held her face and glared at Claire. No one had ever dared to hit her in her life, so how could she have received such treatment? “That’s it! You’re gonna get it!”With that, she charged toward Claire, her hands flailing wildly, looking very comical.Claire furrowed her brows. She sidestepped Angelica’s attack, grabbing one of her wrists and hurling her aside with the help of her own momentum.She had learned some self-defense techniques while she was abroad. She might not be able to use them against a man, but dealing with someone like Angelica was a breeze.“Move aside!” she ordered coldly. She would’ve taught Angelica a good lesson for Ollie’s sake if there weren’t so many onlookers around.Ignoring Angelica, who was struggling to get up off the ground, she immediately left with Ollie.Everyone was impressed by her after witnessing what had just happened, and even those who didn’t dare go against Angelica
However, right now, Chantelle could only console Angelica with a smile, given that her family was still reliant on the Kendalls.Angelica vented the entire ride home before they finally reached the Kendall family home. Upon seeing her father, Kevin Kendall, she instantly switched to a bemoaning demeanor and tearfully ran up to him.“Your precious daughter was bullied by someone today. Father, you have to get justice for me!”She then immediately explained while sobbing how Claire had slapped her as well as the kindergarten principal’s attitude—her distressed appearance tugging at Kevin’s heartstrings.“How dare that woman has the gall to bully my daughter!”Kevin and his wife, Blaire Kendall, had always spoilt their daughter, and hearing this, they were incensed and threw the teacups they were holding against the floor.Angelica was secretly pleased by the sight of her enraged father, but she maintained her weeping façade on the outside. “I’ve been utterly humiliated this time. F
Coincidentally, just as Claire had thought, the person she had heard coming seemed to have noticed her presence and was subconsciously moving toward her direction.She clamped her hand tightly over her mouth, not daring to make a sound as she involuntarily started sweating due to nervousness.As the person drew closer to her location, Claire realized who it was—Chantelle!Chantelle gradually closed in on the room Claire was in, and just as she was about to open it, a voice softly called out from behind her. “What are you doing, Chantelle?”She backed away from the door upon hearing the voice, and Claire could faintly hear the sounds of a conversation.“It’s in the middle of the night, Chantelle. What are you doing over here?” Jeanne asked.“I thought I saw movement here, but maybe I’ve imagined it. Why aren’t you asleep, Mom?”“It’s all because that old crone pissed me off with her words!” There were traces of indignation in Jeanne’s tone. She then continued in a hushed voice, “
Claire had no idea she’d be blushing so much from Javier’s assistance in dressing her wound. Embarrassed, she could only softly say, “Thank you.”“Don’t get it wet the next few days, and the next time you leave the house, please be careful. Don’t do anything risky.”After giving her these instructions, he turned and went to his room without saying anything more.Her eyes trailed after him as he left. Her heart was currently beating like crazy, and cradling her hot cheeks, she felt as though she had gone mad.Otherwise, why would she have such unusual thoughts toward that man when nothing could possibly happen between them!Even so, she couldn’t resist asking him, “Javier Marquez, you still haven’t told me why you’re back so soon!”She clearly remembered him saying he would only return a few days later.“I came back because I felt like it,” he casually replied.Claire rolled her eyes in exasperation—sure enough, he had reverted to his usual self where he looked down on everyone.
Thomas felt his heart fill with warmth as he looked at all the touching posts and comments.That warmth gradually took root in his heart and grew into a resolution. After hesitating for a moment, he decided to call Claire.Claire, who was still at home, didn’t expect him to call her back so soon and couldn’t help feeling confused as she answered, “Is something the matter?”“I saw what was happening on Twitter. Claire, I can’t thank you enough,” he finally said after briefly pausing to deliberate. “Really. Thank you so much, Claire, for showing me the value and worth of my existence.” He involuntarily choked up toward the end.She chuckled nonchalantly. “There’s no need to thank me. I’m counting on you to earn me money in the future, so this is nothing in comparison. The most important thing is that you practice properly.”Her sternness did not dishearten Thomas. Instead, he felt his heart warm and agreed with her.He then tentatively asked, “I’m very touched by everyone’s words o
Hattie looked extremely sincere in her pleading. However, when Sofia did not answer or even look at her, she began to lose confidence. Sofia's face was impassive. "Hattie, I've known you since you were a baby, but I can't help you with this. Please leave." She did not want to discuss the other stuff with her yet.However, Hattie was obstinate. She looked at her with tears in her eyes. "Aunt Sofia, please, please help me. I know it's not much trouble for you, but it can save our entire family. You've always been so kind to me. I promise that the Snyder family will repay you for your kindness!"Hearing this, Sofia felt uncomfortable. She raised her head and gazed at her coldly. "In this case, Hattie, I'll tell you why I won't help you," she said impatiently. "Do you really not know what you've done? I won't say it, but I know exactly what you've done to Ollie. You deserve everything that's happening to you now."Hattie widened her eyes, partly in shock and partly in disbelief when she h
Javier paused outside the door and waited until Claire left before giving his subordinates a look. They understood perfectly and grabbed Chantelle at once.As Javier had ordered, they were to send this woman abroad as far away as possible and leave her to fend for herself.Outside the hotel, Claire looked up at the sky blankly. She felt like a huge burden had been taken off her shoulders; for the first time in a long time, she felt relieved of all the hurt that she had suffered five years ago. Turning back, she told Javier, "Thank you, Javier, for allowing me to face my fears. I feel so relieved now."Javier's expression fell when he heard her thank him. He tapped her on the nose fondly in exasperation. "What are you talking about? Of course, I won't let those who hurt you get off so easily. They have to pay for what they have done."Claire was touched to see him so protective of her. A surge of warmness spread in her chest as she gazed at him fondly. "I'm lucky to have you, Javier."T
That was all Armand could think of.In just a few minutes, Chantelle admitted to everything she had done to Claire over the past few years.From drugging Claire out of jealousy and getting a stranger to assault her to getting Liam to banish her abroad, she admitted to everything. Claire knew some of them, but not all; only now did she know the extent of her crimes.When she was finished, everyone in the room sported conflicting expressions. Liam looked especially hurt and remorseful. It turned out that his younger daughter had always been evil, and he had wrongfully blamed Claire for all these years.Armand, on the other hand, didn't know how to feel about all this. He glanced at Claire and Javier. He felt that he really didn't deserve Claire, after all he had done. He had thought Chantelle to be kind and naive and had trusted her blindly to the point that he almost married her.Thank goodness the wedding didn't happen. Even so, he had lost Claire thanks to this. It made him regret eve
If Chantelle told Claire the truth about what happened that night, then there would be nothing stopping her from having a happily-ever-after with Javier.Back then, driven by jealousy, she had drugged Claire and put her in Javier's bed without their consent. She had planned all of this out herself meticulously. She had gotten Armand to catch Claire in the act so that he would call off the engagement and be with her instead. Liam banished Claire abroad to fend for herself. However, if she had known that the random stranger she had arranged to assault Claire was Javier, she never would've done it.Even so, it was a perfect plan worthy of a blockbuster film. Claire and Javier never found out the truth, nor did they know that Ollie was actually Javier's son.It took them two years of skirting around each other only to find out that they were meant to be in the first place. Now that the truth was out, Claire would not settle for prison as a punishment for the cause of all her suffering. Sh
After a lot of persuasion, Claire and Sofia finally managed to get Ollie to agree to stay in the hospital for another three days.Of course, three days weren't enough. Sofia and Pedro tried everything they could to convince Ollie to stay in the hospital for as long as possible.However, Ollie was smart enough to see through their ruse. He felt guilty when he saw them trying to cajole him into staying, so one day, after another attempt, he spoke up hesitantly, "Grandma, Grandpa, I'm glad that you're trying to keep me happy, and I'm touched that you're concerned about me, but I've been in the hospital for too long and it's making me sad. I promise that I'll listen to the doctor even when I'm at home, okay?" Under his bright, clear gaze, Sofia's protests died in her throat, leaving only exasperation and wordless sorrow.Ollie was too mature for his age. How could they not love him?Therefore, Ollie got his wish and was discharged three days later. In order to take care of Ollie, Sofia an
Hearing this, Javier narrowed his eyes. He felt like he was on the verge of grasping something, but the feeling passed too quickly for him to register it. Softening his tone, he said, "There's no need to be scared, Ollie. We're all right here with you. We'll protect you no matter what happens. Can you tell me what you remembered?"Ollie might have regained his memories from before he'd been drugged.Buoyed by the encouragement, Ollie thought hard for a moment and said with a frown, "I … I remember a lady beating me. She locked me up and didn't let me eat anything while saying bad things about me and Mommy all the time. I wanted to fight back, but I was too weak. After I tried to run, she caught me and beat me up some more and forced me to eat food off the floor." Toward the end of this, Ollie burst into tears.Claire's heart hurt for him. She wanted to hug him, but Javier got there first."Tell me, Ollie, do you know her name?" Javier's voice was thick with tears as well. "Do you remem
With that, Henry threw a glance at the rest of the employees and hurried them out. He also dragged Raina and Thomas out with him, leaving only Claire and Javier's parents to keep him company.Since it was only a small procedure for Javier, he did not get a lot of anesthesia. He tried to wriggle his body a little. Realizing what he was doing, Claire quickly helped him sit up.Javier did not look like he had just come out of surgery. Thanks to his strong physique, he looked fine.Seeing this, Sofia finally eased up a little on her worries. "How are you feeling, Javier?"Javier shook his head. "I'm fine, Mom. I just need some rest. How about Ollie? Did they say when he'll wake up?" He already knew that the surgery was a success, so he wanted to know when he would be able to see Ollie."Randy said that Ollie will be out for some time, but he's fine," Claire replied. Javier nodded. He, too, finally eased up on the tight knot of worry that was weighing his chest.Once he was sure that Javie
The surgery took three hours.As time went by, Claire got more and more anxious. However, there was nothing she could do but wait.In the end, Sofia was the first to crack. She went up to Claire and said anxiously, "Claire, are you sure that Dr. Xenos is good? It's been three hours, why aren't they out yet? I have a bad feeling about this."Claire wasn't exactly relaxed either, but she didn't show it. She gathered her thoughts and comforted Sofia. "Everything will be fine, Mrs. Marquez. Randy is a well-known surgeon, I'm sure he knows what he's doing. Don't worry." She wanted to reach out to comfort her, but in the end, she just sat there with an awkward expression. This was probably how their relationship would be in the foreseeable future—awkward and distant.Pedro watched their interaction with an air of knowingness. "Stop crying, Sofia," he said. "They're fine, you don't have to cry about them. Claire's still pregnant, don't upset her."Sofia was about to get angry about his admoni
At that, Javier narrowed his eyes dangerously.The Weiss family wasn't in a stable condition right now, so it wouldn't be hard for him to take revenge on Claire's behalf. Now that he knew the truth of what had happened, he had to find a way to punish the perpetrators.The news that Ollie was Javier's biological son quickly spread, especially after Sofia held a party in celebration. In fact, it made headlines the day before Ollie's scheduled surgery.Javier wasn't surprised about it. He had been looking for an opportunity to announce it to the public so that there wouldn't be unsightly rumors that would affect Claire. Claire, on the other hand, felt a little uncomfortable about the announcement. After all, she had always been a private person; she didn't want anyone to disturb her peaceful life.After a while, though, she got used to it.The most important contributor to this was that it benefited Ollie. From now on, he wasn't a fatherless child anymore. He could tell anyone who would l