Chapter 8 Don’t They Have Anywhere Else to Go?
Lane Studio.
Claudia entered another room and switched on the light.
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Inside was a deep–purple, Chinese–style embroidered men’s suit–a private commission for a major client.
This client was mysterious. Despite it being a custom piece, Claudia had never met the person in person. Instead, someone else had delivered a detailed set of measurements… and they were quite impressive. The client’s style preferences had also been included.
If a trusted friend hadn’t personally referred them, Claudia wouldn’t have taken the job at all.
But the client had paid handsomely.
They’d transferred one million as a deposit alone, making it the largest order she’d ever secured.
A breakthrough in her career.
The suit was nearly finished, just in need of final touch–ups and inspection. Claudia planned to spend the next couple of days here, wrapping it up.
That night, she stayed at the studio.
The next day, Claudia focused on completing the suit and polishing her portfolio.
Time flew without her noticing.
It wasn’t until Gloria called her to meet for dinner that she realized she was starving. When she stood up, she felt dizzy.
She popped one of the candies she always carried and drove to the private restaurant Gloria had reserved. After parking, she was about to get out when she froze.
A familiar car was parked just up
ahead.
Seconds later, she saw Summer and Alan step out. Before Claudia could even comment on the coincidence, Andy hopped out after them and jumped into Summer’s arms, hugging her tightly.
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Chapter 8 Don’t They Have Anywhere Else to Go?
Claudia’s throat clenched. Her chest felt like it had been struck by a boulder.
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Seeing it with her own eyes and hearing it with her own ears–those were two very different things.
Fighting the nausea bubbling up inside her, she reached out with trembling fingers and rolled the car window down just slightly. Andy’s childish voice flowed in.
“Ms. Summer, why won’t you answer me? You’re back in China now, so why can’t I live with you? I really want to stay with you forever. I miss you so much every day.”
Summer stroked his head, her beautiful peach blossom eyes filled with warmth. Her tone was gentle and sweet. “That day will come, Andy. Be patient.”
“Really?” Andy’s eyes sparkled.
Summer looked up at Alan. Seeing that he didn’t object, she smiled and nodded. “Of course.”
Just then, a few striking young men approached from the other side, waving as they came
closer.
“Alan! Summer! We’ve been waiting forever!”
“Let’s go, let’s go–Alan specifically called us together to throw Summer a welcome–home party, celebrate her triumphant return to China!”
Claudia recognized them. They were Alan’s childhood friends–part of the same social circle.
They were also Summer’s childhood friends.
All of them had grown up together. Their families had strong ties. Since they were kids, Alan and Summer had been treated like a future couple by their elders. Though they’d never officially dated, everyone around them expected them to end up together.
They just needed more time.
No one had expected an outsider to show up out of nowhere and snatch the “moon hanging high in the sky.”
That outsider had been Claudia.
At the time, Summer was studying abroad. When she heard that Alan had suddenly gotten married to Claudia, she hadn’t returned home once in the following years.
Alan and Summer’s mutual friends had always looked down on Claudia. They believed she
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Chapter 8 Don’t They Have Anywhere Else to Go?
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was vile, that she’d used disgraceful tactics to land Alan–and that she didn’t deserve him. How dare she humiliate Summer?
Over the years, they hadn’t held back. They’d mocked her, sabotaged her, made her life difficult.
And since Alan never introduced her to his friends after the wedding, Claudia had no way of integrating into his social circle. After enduring a lot of humiliations, she gave up.
She had always been the outsider.
Now, from a distance, watching the joyful reunion, Claudia let out a bitter smile.
She’d worked hard for seven years and still couldn’t compare to Summer’s return.
Everything she had longed for was offered to Summer with the lift of a finger.
Even the son she carried for ten months adored Summer more than her.
This marriage of hers was a joke. A tragic, humiliating failure.
After everyone entered the restaurant and disappeared from view, Claudia sat frozen in her
seat.
It wasn’t until Gloria called again that she realized she was soaked in cold sweat.
“I’m here. Heading up now.”
Claudia steadied her breath, replied, and then stepped out of the car like nothing had happened, heading to the private room Gloria had booked on the third floor.
When she walked in, Gloria looked visibly pissed.
“What’s wrong?” Claudia asked.
Gloria clicked her tongue. “Unbelievable. Can’t even grab dinner without bumping into that pack of trash. Don’t they have anywhere else to go?!”
Claudia was stunned. After asking for details, she learned that Alan and his group had reserved a room on the same floor–directly across from theirs.
She let out a helpless sigh.
Gloria studied her face, then cautiously offered, “Should we… go somewhere else?”
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Chapter 8 Don’t They Have Anywhere Else to Go?
Claudia shook her head. “Why should we?”
Gloria slammed the table. “Exactly! They’re the ones doing shady stuff–why should we hide?!”
Once the food was served, Gloria finally brought up the main topic.
“About your
divorce–I spoke with a professor who specializes in divorce cases. He drafted a proposal tailored to your situation. It’s pretty much ready. You can initiate the process this week. Start with private negotiation. If that doesn’t work, we go straight to court.”
Claudia paused, then nodded.
Gloria added, “Also… the new year’s coming up. What are your plans?”
She slowed down when she asked, already knowing Claudia’s family situation.
Her parents were the type who’d sell their own child without blinking. Years ago, Claudia had only managed to transfer her residency out after paying for a house in another city. Since then, she’d cut off nearly all contact–basically estranged.
Now that she was getting divorced, she obviously couldn’t go back to that kind of home.
Seeing Claudia silent, eating with her head down, Gloria sighed softly and said, “Why don’t you come to my house, like in college? My mom keeps saying she misses you, keeps asking when you’re visiting again. She likes you better than her own daughter…”
Claudia couldn’t help but laugh, a warm feeling spreading through her chest.
She’d probably be divorced before the New Year, as long as nothing unexpected happened. Which meant she wouldn’t have to go back to the Moore family estate either.
And honestly, nothing unexpected seemed likely.
Considering how much Alan liked Summer–and how clearly he’d made that known—if Claudia brought up divorce herself, he would probably agree without hesitation.
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