Chapter 5

Everyone turned around to see who could have such an authoritative voice amidst the whole drama, and there stood Andrew. He was dressed in a blue tuxedo, and he rushed over to stop Natalie from hitting Claire. 

Andrew walked in on them in time to stop the madness. 

“And who do you think you are?!” Natalie snapped with a very frail voice. 

“Thank you.” Claire whispered to Andrew who tilted his head for her to leave the chaotic scene. 

John, unable to defy his grandmother, especially not in a public space, decided to take Claire away from her before she'd be done with this stranger that had stood up for Claire. 

“Look, I'm so sorry this has happened. She can be a lot, but I really can't do anything about her yet.” Andrew explained, leading her to the side , holding her by her back. 

All eyes were on them although they didn't realize. Everyone wondered how bewitched John Rhodes must have been by this lady to have even thought of marrying her. 

Tony had already whisked Natalie over to another side of the room, and was calming her down. He was the only one that barely ever got on her nerves despite his lecherous lifestyle. 

“John, it's fine.” Claire shrugged it off. She had been through worse, and this was not going to make her feel a thing. 

“No, it's not. That was very embarrassing, and I'm sorry you had to endure that.” John apologized, and Claire chuckled. She wondered why he was making a big deal out of it. 

“C'mon, shouldn't you be speaking with people, making connections and cutting deals at an event of this magnitude?” Claire asked, trying to make him leave as Andrew approached. 

“Yeah, you are right,” John exhaled, leaning in close to her. Claire swallowed hard, touching his chest as he drew closer, “but most of them want to speak with me, not the other way round.” 

“Well, get along with that too.” She responded, chuckling as he leaned even closer. 

“Well, I'll speak to you soon then.” He muttered, pressing a soft kiss on her cheek before walking off. Claire inhaled sharply, trying to maintain her composure as he walked off. 

Their marriage was contracted, but it had more romance than whatever she had with Abraham. 

“Son of a cunt.” She cussed, kissing her teeth. 

“Miss Claire.” Andrew called, walking over to her. 

“How are you, Andrew? Thank you for earlier.” She said, and he nodded it off. 

“I see things have progressed quickly with Mr. John Rhodes.” 

“What can I say? I really don't know why I'm doing all these.” Claire said, and he sighed gently.

“I'm pretty sure you'd figure it out.” He assured her. 

“In the meantime, what would you like to do about that idiot?” Andrew asked, turning his head to Abraham and Rebecca. 

“He did me dirty, didn't he?” Claire asked, beckoning towards a waiter. She took a glass of champagne off his tray, sipping it demurely. 

“I never liked him, and you know that your father didn't either.” Andrew hissed. 

“Well, who would have thought?” Claire shrugged, smiling back at John who smiled at her from a distance. “And speaking of my father, where is he?” 

“He's running late, I guess.” Andrew shrugged it off. “What would you like to do about that one?” He diverted back to Abraham. 

“Leave him to hang dry.” Claire said with a menacing tone. “He has disrespected me, and I'd not extend a hand of mercy to him.” 

“And what exactly do you want me to do?” Andrew asked, wanting a very explicit explanation . He had his own idea of a good punishment, but he wanted to see how far Claire was willing to go. 

“Sabotage all the deals and contracts he currently has,” Claire started with a smirk on her face, “then, make sure no one in the business world wants to deal with him anymore. Isolate him. Ostracize him. Deal greatly with him until he's penniless.” 

“I love it so much when you speak like that.” Andrew let out a bright smile. He bowed gently, and walked off. 

Claire finished off the glass of champagne with her eyes still on Rebecca and Abraham. She meant business with him, and she was going to hit him where it hurt the most. 

Abraham's countenance had been dishevelled since he found out that John Rhodes was who he said he was. He wished he had done things differently, but there was no going back. He had seen Claire smirk, and it made him uncomfortable. 

Rebecca on the other hand was laughing and giggling like the world was in its perfect place. John was almost irritated by it, and his mind was troubled by his current situation. 

“Babe, what's the matter?” Rebecca asked, finally noticing his dampened countenance. 

“That guy is actually John Rhodes.” He lamented. “I can't even speak with him anymore. He's definitely not going to listen to me.” 

“Okay? And?” Rebecca asked, raising a brow. 

“God, didn't you just hear me speak?” He asked with a gentle tone. 

“Babe, I heard you. I just don't see why you're bothered about him.” She shrugged. “He's just another business man, and you'd surely come by more, especially now that people see your worth. Don't sweat over him. He's still a miserable loser.”

“Spoken like a truly spoiled brat.” John thought to himself, uninterested in continually telling her about his issues. 

Rebecca, seeing that he was still disturbed pulled him close to herself and squeezed his hand gently. 

“Babe, I already have a way out regardless of this madness, and this would even boost your business even better.” She said with a high level of confidence. 

Abraham folded his arms, completely interested in what she had to say. 

“And what could that be?” He asked. 

“My mum is working on it, and it's totally huge. I can't give you the full details now, but you'd be richer than Rhodes, trust me.” She said, kissing him on the cheek. 

Abraham suddenly felt confident again. After all, Rebecca was the most trustworthy of them all.