Chapter 42 Madam Jade
Trevor’s smile deepened, a faint gleam in his eyes. “Yes. They’re very fortunate indeed.”
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There was a layered weight in his tone, something Claudia couldn’t quite place. She found it unsettling but didn’t pry. It wasn’t her business. The air between them fell quiet.
Trevor broke the silence first. “Ms. Sue, who are you here to meet today?”
Every time she crossed paths with him, Claudia felt an inexplicable chill, as if the man were impossible to read. She had no desire to get close. She was just about to deflect the question when noise erupted from the VIP corridor–camera shutters clicking in a rapid–fire burst, voices rising in a swell of excitement.
A crowd was heading straight toward them.
At the center strode a tall, slender woman dressed in a striking fuchsia vintage suit. Over it she wore a long black down coat, her cropped white hair combed to perfection. Large dark sunglasses framed her face, lips painted a bold red. Even in the middle of a throng, her presence blazed brighter than anyone around her.
Trevor recognized her immediately, shock flashing in his eyes. And when he caught Claudia’s gaze lighting up with sudden brilliance, he was even more taken aback.
He couldn’t resist asking, “Ms. Sue, is this who you came for?”
But Claudia wasn’t listening. Her eyes were fixed on the woman, her chest tight.
The formidable elder noticed them too. She murmured a few words to her aides, and in seconds her staff pushed back the crowd of reporters, forbidding photos.
The press, wary of her status, dared not resist.
The woman–Jade–brushed off the commotion and strode toward Claudia.
Claudia moved to meet her, her gaze shimmering with both joy and nervous restraint. Her throat locked; she couldn’t bring herself to speak.
Jade stopped before her, sliding off her sunglasses. She studied her grandniece for a long moment, then frowned. Her hand rose, ruffling Claudia’s hair with a mixture of disapproval and tenderness.
“Why are you so thin? How has he been taking care of you?”
The warmth of that touch, so long absent, hit Claudia like a wave. Her nose stung, tears threatening to spill. She bit them back and choked out, “Aunt Jade.”
That was all she managed. The rest/stuck in her throat, too tangled with longing and months of buried
hurt.
Jade knew her well enough. One/look told her the girl hadn’t been living well. She sighed and patted Claudia’s head again. “We’ll talk in the car.”
Claudia nodded quickly, blinking hard, ready to follow.
But Trevor stepped forward. He masked his surprise and extended a polite hand. “Madam Jade, it’s an
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Chapter 42 Madam Jade
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honor. I’m Trevor, eldest son of the Taurine family. My parents often speak of you. I’ve just returned this year and haven’t had the chance to pay my respects.”
Jade’s expression cooled instantly. To outsiders she gave little warmth. She gave him a cursory glance and a nod. “I know of you. A promising young man. You’ve made a name abroad. Why return now?”
Trevor smiled, deflecting smoothly. “The country needs me more.”
After a few perfunctory exchanges, he stepped aside. “I won’t intrude further. Another time, I’ll call on you properly.”
Jade didn’t bother answering. She simply turned and led Claudia away.
Trevor stood where he was, watching the two figures disappear into the distance. His eyes darkened, calculating.
Jade her name rang loud in elite circles.
Not only was she a world–renowned designer of Chinese haute couture, with works coveted and fought over by the global aristocracy…
She was also the founder of Splendid, one of the world’s thirteen premier haute couture brands. Her fortune and background were formidable, her influence abroad unrivaled, her ties to royalty and high society ironclad.
She even kept a workshop in Pinetown, though most of her life was spent overseas.
The Taurine family had long needed her network for their international ventures. Trevor had tried many times to meet her abroad, always refused. And today, fate had delivered her right before him–bound by blood to Claudia.
An unexpected surprise.
Trevor smiled faintly. “Now this is interesting.”
“Aunt Jade, where to?”
Claudia slid into the driver’s seat, glancing at her elder nervously.
“You said you never gave up design, and even started your own studio. Take me there. I want to see if you’ve improved–or regressed.”
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