Chapter 17 The Proposal
After all this time, if Trevor hadn’t sent her a personal invitation, Claudia wouldn’t have even known the Taurine family was throwing a banquet.
No doubt about it–on the day of the banquet, Alan would show up with his beloved childhood crush, Summer.
Just thinking about it gave Claudia a headache.
Trevor had said what he said–she had to go. But the idea of walking into that banquet and seeing Alan and Summer together, plus that lunatic Timothy, made her stomach churn.
And worst of all, she’d be going as “Lane.”
While her thoughts spun, Nancy’s gentle voice rang out beside her, tinged with slight regret.
“You know, I originally wanted to commission a gown for you from a designer named Lane. I saw one of her pieces at a friend’s place–her embroidery is exquisite, and her designs really spoke to me. But unfortunately, I was told she stopped taking orders at the end of the year.”
Hearing that name come out of Nancy’s mouth, Claudia froze.
Then she was confused.
When was this?
After Claudia made a name for herself as “Lane,” her time had grown scarce, so she only took on private commissions from a select inner circle. New clients were only accepted if referred by trusted friends or past customers.
These past few months, she’d been focused solely on Trevor’s large commission. She had indeed stopped accepting new work.
She never imagined her own mother–in–law would come looking.
Back when Alan hated the idea of her having any public presence, she had always been worried the Moore family would discover her side career.
But after the divorce–she wouldn’t have to care anymore.
She steadied herself and smiled. “Mom, you like Lane’s work?”
“Of course,” Nancy said, eyes lighting up. “That kind of embroidery is rare these days. It’s a
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national heritage technique, and the design has such a timeless beauty.”
Nancy came from a scholarly family and was a painter herself.
To be praised by someone like her–Claudia was genuinely pleased.
“I’ll get in touch with her for you,” she said. “Consider it a gift from me.”
Nancy beamed. “It’s the thought that counts, sweetheart.”
Claudia smiled but said nothing more.
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She had already made up her mind to go through with the divorce. And since that was the case, she couldn’t just go around accepting gifts from the Moore family anymore.
Nancy had gifted her a dress this time–so in return, Claudia would make something herself and give it back as thanks.
That night, Nancy insisted Claudia stay at the estate.
Claudia didn’t want to–she still had her portfolio to finish–but Nancy tugged her along, and she gave in.
Alan and Andy didn’t come home that night.
The estate was far from her office, so Claudia got up early the next morning, ate a quick breakfast, and rushed off.
After leading the morning meeting, she dove straight into interviews again.
Her luck was good today. Out of several back–to–back interviews, she finally found a qualified candidate. The two of them quickly agreed on salary and a start date.
Claudia could finally breathe.
Once she handed over her work to this person, she’d be able to leave the company before the new year and devote herself fully to what she truly loved.
That said… the divorce couldn’t drag on any longer.
She couldn’t understand it. Alan clearly didn’t like her, didn’t care about her–so what was the holdup? Had he even seen the divorce agreement?
She didn’t know how Nancy’s coaxing was going, but this was the closest she’d gotten to pinning Alan down in days.
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That night, Nancy called her and invited her back to the estate for dinner. She used the banquet the next day as a pretext–saying Alan needed to return to prepare, and she’d finally managed to get him to come home.
Claudia agreed immediately.
This is it. I have to catch him tonight and settle this once and for all.
After work, Alan called to say he was coming to pick her up.
Claudia declined.
She didn’t expect anything from him anymore. But she wasn’t going to get kicked out of the car again mid–drive like last time.
She was done helping Alan uphold the illusion of a happy marriage for the sake of
appearances.
She drove herself to the Moore family estate.
Pulling into the driveway, the moment she opened her car door, she heard the sharp sound of scolding–and the distinct whack of a stick hitting someone’s body.
Inside the warm house, Nancy was chasing Alan around, swinging a wooden cane and yelling:
“What kind of husband are you?! Huh?! I told you to pick up your wife and you couldn’t even do that? Is this how I raised you?! Do you think you don’t deserve a beating?!”
Alan, tall and broad–shouldered, was clearly letting her hit him. He didn’t fight back–just dodged half–heartedly.
He wasn’t actually hurt. His mother didn’t have much strength to begin with.
But it was still ridiculous.
Alan–head of the Moore family’s powerful next generation, the man who led Moore Corp- was getting chased and beaten by his mom at home.
As soon as he saw Claudia’s car pull in, his patience ran out.
“Mom,” he said, catching the cane with a firm grip. “I said I was going to pick her up–she refused and insisted on coming herself.”
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“And she refused, so you just didn’t go?!” Nancy snapped, trying to yank the cane free.
She couldn’t budge it. Her frustration only mounted. “Why don’t you listen this well any other time?! Are you trying to kill me with anger?!”
Her voice trembled with fury. Her chest rose and fell violently. Her hands were shaking.
