บททั้งหมดของ Too Late to Win Back The Ex-Wife: บทที่ 61 - บทที่ 70

Claire's POV:The restaurant's ambient lighting was soft, casting a warm glow over the linen tablecloth. Casper was, as ever, a masterful conversationalist. He'd skillfully steered us through a nostalgic trip down memory lane, artfully bypassing the minefield of my marriage, and landed us squarely in the territory of future plans."You should start your own firm, Claire. You have the vision, the talent." He leaned forward, his expression earnest.It was, in fact, my dream. A successful studio of my own would be the proof I needed—to myself, to my parents—that I'd rebuilt a life worth respecting. "It's the goal," I admitted, taking a sip of sparkling water. "But I need to build a reputation first, assemble a team. Right now, I'm content learning the ropes from the best." I gestured vaguely, acknowledging the opportunity Carter had given me.Casper snapped his fingers, a boyish grin spreading across his face. "Let me in. I want to be your first investor."I laughed, the sound light and

Claire's POV:The plan was simple: collect Leo, say a polite thank you, and escape into the night.The plan evaporated the second the car door opened. A small, determined hand shot out, grabbed my wrist, and yanked. Before I could protest, I was unceremoniously hauled into the plush backseat, landing next to my son."Look, Mommy!" Leo was vibrating with excitement, thrusting a sleek collector's box into my hands. "We got you the thing!"Nestled inside was a Black Widow figure. The Avengers: Age of Ultron vintage version, complete with the batons and that fiercely calm expression. My absolute favorite.My breath caught. "How did you…?""Mr. Carter picked it," Leo chirped, tugging on the impeccably tailored sleeve of the man sitting stiffly beside him. "He said this was the best one."My eyes snapped to Carter Thorne. He wasn't looking at us. His profile was a sharp, unreadable line against the darkened window, his posture radiating a tense silence. "Mr. Thorne, thank you. That's… incre

Claire's POV "A bonus?""A promotion?"Carter Thorne's questions hung in the air, expecting a prompt, sensible answer.I shook my head. "I haven't decided. Can I… take a rain check?"A faint, surprised chuckle escaped him. "Always negotiating for the best terms."My eyes widened. "Wait, is there an expiration date on this offer?""What do you think?"My shoulders slumped. "A month?" I guessed, my voice small. Of course there was a catch. Greed never paid.His amusement seemed to deepen. "A year.""What?""One year. Any time within the next twelve months, you can claim it. Think of it as an open tab."For a second, I thought I might actually cry. A stupid, grateful heat prickled behind my eyes.It was a stark, sudden reminder. One man's cruelty didn't paint the whole world gray. There were still people—decent, fair people—who made the fight worth it."Okay," I managed, my voice thick. "Thank you, Mr. Thorne."He watched me, his gaze turning thoughtful. "If you want to thank someone, t

Claire's POV:Dropping Leo off at Little Explorers felt like the only normal part of the morning. His hug, his wave—a tiny anchor in the chaos my life had become.I scanned into the office, dumped my bag, and immediately headed back out. Carter had handed me a straightforward task: finalize design preferences with the client for the Emerald Greens clubhouse renovation. The contact was a procurement manager named Fiona Huxley. A name that, according to office whispers, came with a price tag.I'd been to the Finance department beforehand. They'd handed me a discreet black card with a pre-approved limit for "client relationship development." I'd signed for it, my stomach tight. I hated this dance. But I also knew it was the unspoken rhythm of some deals.I met Fiona at the jewelry counter of Nordstrom. She was already there, of course, one manicured finger tracing the glass over a set of emerald and diamond earrings."Fiona, hello. Claire Sterling, from Thorne & Associates."She glanced

Claire's POV:I took a step forward, now the one looming. "You can hate me. That's your right. But you are here representing Venturi Holdings. Do they know you're using their multi-million dollar project to settle a petty, misinformed family grudge?"The fight was gone from her. Her shoulders slumped. "All these years… I was wrong?" she whispered, more to herself than to me. "She let me believe…"Then, as if the admission of error was too much to bear, her spine stiffened. The haughty mask, cracked and pathetic, tried to reassemble itself. "Fine. You've explained about Holly. Consider the matter closed. I won't pursue it further."The sheer, breathtaking audacity of it stole my breath. *She* wouldn't pursue it? As if she were the wronged party granting me clemency.A cold, sharp smile touched my lips. It felt foreign. Powerful. "*You* can consider it closed. *I* can't."Her head snapped up. "What?""The matter of your sister is resolved," I said, each word precise as a scalpel. "The m