Claudia didn’t actually go to work. Instead, she packed up the gown for the banquet and drove back to her studio.
While driving, she called Gloria.
“How’d it go?” Gloria asked.
“Not well,” Claudia replied after a pause. “Based on his reaction last night, it’s not going to work. I think I’ll have to file for divorce.”
There was a moment of silence on the other end before Gloria spoke. “If that’s the case, we’ll have to go the legal route. But Claudia, with that prenup in place, it’s going to be tough.”
“I know. But it’s the only way left.”
Seven years of sharing a bed had taught Claudia exactly who she was dealing with. She’d never expected Alan to agree to anything in private.
“Okay, as long as you’re clear about that. I’ll start preparing the paperwork.”
“Thanks. I know I’m in good hands.”
“Always.”
They chatted a bit longer about other things before hanging up.
She soon arrived at Lane Studio.
As she pulled into the Bamboo Garden complex and parked in front of the villa, she was surprised to see several cars across the street and people moving furniture in and out.
Someone was moving in?
Just then, a young woman giving directions to the movers noticed her, waved, and walked over with a smile.
“Ms. Lane! It’s been a while since we’ve seen you around. How’ve you been?”
Claudia interacted with all her neighbors here under her studio alias. Everyone called her “Ms. Lane.”
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She smiled and returned the greeting, then casually asked, “Someone moving in?”
“Yep,” the woman said, smiling even brighter. “It’s been so hard living out here–the location’s remote, not very convenient. I’ve been wanting to sell the place for a while now, but never found the right buyer. Then a few weeks ago, a PhD who just returned from abroad contacted me and offered well above market value. Now they’re moving in, and I’m just here getting the place ready.”
Claudia’s brow twitched slightly at the words “PhD who just returned from abroad.”
She’d been hearing that phrase far too often lately–and it immediately brought Summer to mind. Wasn’t she the one who just came back with a doctorate?
But then Claudia thought better of it. Summer was part of the elite Summer family in Capital City–why would she need to move into a remote, overpriced villa? That girl probably had a dozen homes to choose from.
She pushed the thought aside and congratulated the neighbor politely before they both went back to their own business.
Claudia spent the whole afternoon refining her portfolio.
As the time for the banquet drew near, she changed into the pearl–purple fitted gown her mother–in–law had commissioned for her and drove out toward the Taurine family’s estate.
She knew the location well.
It was close to the mountainside where she had delivered Trevor’s suit last time. That time, the meeting had taken place in a secluded mountain villa. This time, the banquet was being held in a luxury hot spring hotel at the base of the mountain.
By the time she arrived, the area was packed with luxury cars. Elegant socialites, dressed to the nines, mingled and laughed.
Claudia parked, adjusted her gown, grabbed her matching clutch, and walked toward the
entrance.
But as soon as she neared the gate, her brow furrowed instinctively.
Timothy Taurine–Trevor’s younger brother–was standing at the entrance, scanning the crowd.
Their eyes met.
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Timothy’s expression twisted into a frown the moment he saw her. He stormed over and blocked her path.
“What are you doing here? I don’t remember inviting you.”
Claudia was already used to dealing with this lunatic.
pulled out he
Without a word, she pulled out her phone and displayed the electronic invitation Trevor had sent her personally, letting the staff scan it.
The staff verified her credentials–but didn’t let her pass. Their eyes kept darting nervously toward Timothy.
After all, this was his family’s banquet.
Timothy looked genuinely shocked that Claudia had an invitation–but he didn’t care.
Even if she had one, he wasn’t letting her in. Not to this banquet. Not to his home. Especially not someone he despised.
“Get out of here. Who gave you the guts to show your face here after everything? You haven’t learned your lesson yet?”
By now, other guests had begun to notice the commotion. Curious glances drifted over. Quiet murmurs filled the air.
A few people recognized Claudia–but most didn’t. To them, she just looked like some unknown woman trying to sneak into an event she had no business attending.
And then…
A wave of gasps rippled through the crowd.
A sleek black Rolls–Royce pulled up to the entrance. Alan stepped out, then reached into the car to help Summer out.
As Summer emerged, the cameras practically clicked themselves.
She wore a stunning rose–gold gown that shimmered in the light. Her signature peach blossom eyes sparkled with matching gold–pink shadow, and her smile dazzled like a dream.
By her side, Alan wore an impeccably tailored black suit, exuding the kind of cold, dangerous charm that stopped conversations.
The two of them together looked like they’d stepped out of a royal portrait–perfection itself.
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