2. Family's Meeting

“Claire, you have disappointed me a lot.” 

Claire looked down, “But it was only once, Dad. Gran, just one time. I never did that again.” 

“You useless grandson! You've tarnished the good name of the Michel family in front of the company officials,” Christine said, looking annoyed at her granddaughter.

“Nana, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it.”

“But all the bigwigs of this company know, Claire. And even the pictures of you with that obscure man were on display earlier. What else can you do?” Henry said in a fit of rage. 

Claire was choked up.

A few hours later, Claire was sitting on the floor in front of all the Michel family members who were all sitting on chairs. 

The girl could only look down deeply, not knowing what to do. 

Jasmine, Claire's younger sister who had just returned from college, was also there but chose to remain a silent spectator. 

“Ludwig's family has been in touch, they broke off your engagement. Now, he is going to North Carolina to forget about you,” Christine started the conversation. 

Claire looked up in surprise, “He knows about it? But where did he find out, Nana?"

“Of course he knows. He even got the video and pictures of you half-naked with that other guy. Do you think, after he knew that, he would still contact you?” Lindsay said sharply. 

Claire's thoughts were already getting muddled.

“But I really never intended to betray Ludwig. I was drunk that time, Mom. I didn't know that ....” 

“Never mind, we don't need to hear your excuses, Claire. Ludwig has confirmed that the night you lied to him. He said clearly that you went to the club secretly that night. Now, tell us who the man with you was!” Christine said. 

Claire was speechless. 

How could she say it? She didn't know, she only remembered his face. 

“Why won't you answer?” Christine had lost her patience. 

She had really lost face today. The video and photos had spread in no time. 

Now, her proud granddaughter had become a byword in her company.

Unfortunately, Claire had become a byword not for her achievements, but for the scandal she had created. 

“I ... can't say it, Gran.” 

Henry glared, “Are you crazy, Claire? You've tarnished the family's reputation by acting wildly, he had to marry you to cover up your scandal. So you won't tell me the identity of that bastard?” 

Claire was silent, not knowing how to answer. 

“Or are you deliberately hiding his identity, is that it?”

Claire's beautiful eyes widened. 

“No, Gran. I ....”

“If you don't want to tell me, you can leave this house,” Christine said.

Claire's pupils dilated.

“But, Nana. I am really sorry. I won't do it again, please forgive me.”

Christine looked sharply at her granddaughter.

“If you don't want to say it, then just leave this house and never come back to this family again!” Christine said coldly. 

“Gran, please. Please give me one more chance, I promise to make you proud of me. Trust me!” Claire pleaded. 

“What? Proud? That video of yours has destroyed our family's reputation in front of the higher-ups. You want to ruin the family's reputation even more, Claire, by bringing you into the company?” Christine accused. 

Lindsay, who had been silent, began to speak, “We can find a hired husband for Claire, Mom.” 

“Lindsay. You think it's that easy? Don't be crazy!” Christine snapped uncontrollably, causing Lindsay to jump in surprise. 

“Is there any guarantee that the person we're paying won't spill the beans about the incident? We could be blackmailed,” Christine retorted. 

Lindsay closed her mouth tightly, feeling it was useless to give her opinion. 

Her mother-in-law was so hard-hearted. There was no way she would listen to what she had to say. 

The hope that had arisen slowly disappeared from Claire's mind. She got up slowly, “All right, if that's what you want, Nana. I will leave this house.” 

“Claire!” Henry screeched, somewhat surprised that his daughter had chosen that path.

Christine took a deep breath and said flatly, “Please leave this house. From this moment on, you are not part of this family anymore. And don't you dare use the name 'Michel' after your name. Do you understand?” 

It was bad. 

Very painful. 

That's how Claire felt right now but she tried to be strong. She knew her grandmother's mind was made up.

“Okay, Gran. I will never return to this house again and leave the family surname 'Michel'.”

Christine nodded in satisfaction. At least one of the troublemakers in her family would soon be leaving the house.

Once her granddaughter was gone, all she had to do was erase his footsteps so that no one could ever bring down the family name again.

With tears beginning to fall down her cheeks, Claire turned and moved towards her room. She hurriedly carried the few items she deemed important and then headed down the stairs once she had finished packing and changing. 

It was hard to leave her extended family, but she had no other choice. 

Her family was still waiting in the living room, making her feel like she was being watched. 

With a broken heart she said, “I leave, Dad, Mom, Grandma, Jasmine.” 

No one replied to her words but Jasmine, her younger sister, rushed into her sister's arms, hugging her tightly and crying even though it was a fake cry.

Of course, this was something she had wanted for a long time because this way she would be able to approach Ludwig Beyer, the man who had stolen her heart all those years ago and who was now her sister's ex-fiancé. 

Lindsay herself had shed tears but she repeatedly wiped them away. Meanwhile, Henry chose to harden his own heart and thought that his daughter deserved this punishment. 

“I go now, Jasmine,” Claire said. 

The young girl started to drag her suitcase but just as she took a step, she suddenly heard her grandmother say, “Stop!” 

Reflexively Claire stopped her footsteps, turned to her grandmother and looked at her expectantly.

“Yes, Grandma?” Claire said with bated breath.

Could it be that her grandmother had canceled her intention? 

Would she be given another chance?

Claire's hope began to rise.

“Yes, Nana?” 

Christine coldly said, “Take out all your debit and credit cards. Lock up the car and all the perks you get from me.” 

Claire's eyes almost popped out of their sockets when she heard that, “Nana, but I ....”