All Chapters of Too Late to Win Back The Ex-Wife: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

Claire's POV:Carter took a deliberate step back, creating a formal foot of space. "Vivian. I wasn't aware you and Caspian were here." His voice was a polite glacier.Vivian Venturi, undeterred by the chill, shone even brighter. "So it's business! My brother said you hate cinemas. You must have a theater design project! Research, right?" She clapped her hands, delighted by her own deduction. "I can help! I minored in interior design at Brown. I'll be your shadow, I promise I won't be a nuisance. I just want to learn from the best!"I watched, my earlier awkwardness replaced by pure, unadulterated fascination. This was the "persistent admirer."Carter's posture had gone rigid. He didn't answer her. Instead, his head turned, just a fraction. His gaze found mine over her shoulder.The message in his steely grey eyes was crystal clear, and slightly desperate: *You have one job. Do it.*Right. The temporary, complicated, legally-gray-area "companion." Time to earn my non-existent salary.I

Claire's POV:The restaurant's protocols were swift and severe. The moment the ambulance left, the entire section was cordoned off. Our table became a crime scene in waiting. The manager, a sharp-eyed man who'd clearly noted Carter's bespoke suit and air of unassailable authority, had everything—every plate, every glass, every piece of cutlery, even the bread basket and the salt cellar—bagged, tagged, and locked away. It was partly for their own liability, partly a silent acknowledgment that this smelled less like a kitchen accident and more like a targeted strike. Getting an official analysis would be easier now."Thank you, Doctor," I said, my voice steady despite the cold knot in my stomach. Once he left, I ushered a wide-eyed Leo into Carter's private room.He was conscious. But the vibrant, commanding man from the restaurant was gone, replaced by a pale, drawn version propped against stark white pillows. He looked drained, the effort to keep his eyes open seeming immense.I wet a

Claire's POV:Nathan's prolonged silence acted like a bucket of ice water on his team's speculative fervor. The jovial theory about Claire being a corporate spy, which had seemed so clever moments ago, now hung awkwardly in the air, unsupported by their boss's grim demeanor.A senior VP with keen survival instincts cleared his throat. "Alright, enough chatter. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. Let's see how the bids shake out."Murmurs of agreement followed, a hasty retreat from dangerous ground. "Right, right. My apologies, Nathan. Let's focus."The Sterling Global contingent moved inside the civic center's grand hall, their entrance designed for maximum visibility—a parade of expensive wool and polished ego.Casper Reed, leaning against a pillar nearby, watched them pass with a look of profound distaste. "God, it's like watching a bad mob movie reboot. All swagger, no substance."I recognized every face in that procession. Colleagues once, allies in the early scrappy days o

The apple wasn't huge, but thrown with a kid's full, furious force, it was a missile. It caught the caregiver on the side of her head, just above the ear. A sharp, sickening *thwack* echoed in the quiet room. She staggered a step, hand flying to the spot. A high-pitched ringing drowned out everything else for a second.She wasn't paid enough for this. Not even close."That's it," she hissed, voice shaking with a mix of pain and white-hot anger. She turned on Ben, who was still gloating on the bed. "Your dad's money isn't worth this. Job's over. But you—you're gonna pay for any damage. You hear me?"She rubbed her temple, wincing. "Unbelievable. What kind of mother raises a child to act like this? Working for you people is a nightmare."Ben had spent weeks being treated like royalty by everyone in his orbit. This rebellion from a mere employee was a shock to his system. His small face flushed crimson with outrage."I don't *have* a mom!" he screamed, the lie tasting bitter but familiar

Claire turned back. Her eyes were rimmed with a terrifying, bloodshot red. "Ben," she said, her voice a ragged whisper that somehow filled the room. "I never thought… in such a short time apart… you could become this… unreasonable."She took a shaky breath, forcing the words out. "I told you before. No matter how high your starting point is, stay humble. There's always a higher mountain, always someone better. A real leader stays humble to see his own flaws. To keep growing.""Do you remember the story I told you? The one about the arrogant king who thought his tiny kingdom was the greatest in the world?"Ben's defiant expression froze. The angry fire in his gut was instantly doused, replaced by a squirmy, uncomfortable feeling. If his leg weren't in a cast, he would have stood at attention."I respected your choice," Claire continued, each word measured and heavy. "I didn't fight for custody. But that doesn't mean you get a free pass to throw your future away.""You're the Sterling h