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chapter78 

But at this moment, Damian found the smile on her face especially harsh. 

They didn’t say another word to each other, and left the TV station arm in arm. 

That day, even the staff at the TV station sighed in admiration: Mr. Barrette and Mrs. Barrette really are a loving cou- ple! 

On the way back, Damian and Claudine sat in the back seat. 

The atmosphere in the car was suffocating. 

The driver glanced at the rearview mirror, wishing he could step on the gas and get them back to Belmont Villas as quickly as possible. 

Claudine gazed at the neon lights outside the window, her forehead gently pressed against the glass, the cold touch keeping her clear–headed. 

She thought, if the Claudine from five years ago had known that marrying Damian would lead to this outcome. 

Would she still have chosen to marry Damian? 

Claudine felt that even if her younger self had known this day would come, she probably still would have married him. 

After all, sometimes you have to hit the wall hard enough to bleed before you realize it’s time to turn back. 

In the quiet car, a sudden ringtone broke the silence. 

It was Damian’s phone. 

“You’ve returned to the country?” 

“Why didn’t you tell me in advance? I could have picked you up.” 

“Then I’ll come over now. What do you want to eat?” 

“Alright, wait for me a bit. I’ll be there soon.” 

After hanging up, Damian told the driver to pull over. 

“Get out of the car!” 

Claudine froze for a moment, looking at Damian in disbelief. 

“Get out now!” 

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Damian repeated with a frown, and at that moment, he had already opened the car door on Claudine’s side. 

A gust of cold wind rushed in, carrying icy snowflakes. 

Feeling that piercing cold, Damian frowned, regretting his earlier words. 

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He was just about to speak, to ask Claudine to stay and offer to drive her home, but Claudine had already gotten out 

of the car. 

At some point, snow had begun to fall outside. 

Claudine pulled her coat tighter around herself and walked forward without looking back. 

Seeing her stubbornness, Damian felt a sudden surge of anger for no reason. 

He pressed the button to close the door and spoke to the driver. 

“Drive!” 

The silver Bentley brushed past Claudine, stirring up a cold wind that made her shiver involuntarily. 

At this hour, the streets of Bronzevale were almost deserted. 

Watching the snow fall heavier and heavier, Claudine looked at the queue on the ride–hailing app, feeling colder in- side than out. 

She rubbed her nearly frozen hands, wondering if she might freeze to death here. 

Suddenly, she remembered that Rachelle seemed to live nearby. 

But Rachelle often traveled for work, and Claudine wasn’t sure if she was even in Bronzevale now. 

With nothing to lose, Claudine called Rachelle. 

Fortunately, the call was answered quickly. 

Damian’s car had already driven far away. Along the way, even through the window, he could see the snow falling heavier and heavier, with hardly a soul in sight. 

Images of Claudine standing alone by the roadside kept flashing through Damian’s mind. 

After a long hesitation, he found he couldn’t harden his heart. 

“Turn around! Go pick up Mrs. Barrette!” 

Damian’s car quickly returned, and from a distance, he saw Claudine standing by the road. 

Snowflakes fell on her black coat, and her thin figure looked as if it could collapse at any moment in this icy world. 

Damian sat up straight, staring intently at the figure ahead. 

Even if he didn’t want to admit it, he knew just how much he regretted leaving her here in a fit of anger. 

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Just as the car was about to reach her, a black car pulled up on the opposite side, stopping next to Claudine. 

Damian saw Claudine get into that car. 

As the two cars passed each other, Damian rolled down his window. 

It was a black Maybach. 

If he remembered correctly, Roberto had driven this same car last time. 

The driver in the front seat asked cautiously. 

“Mr. Barrette, do you still want to pick up Mrs. Barrette now?” 

“Go to Willow Creek Villas!” 

Claudine got into the car. 

The car’s heater quickly melted the snow on her, leaving her soaked through. 

Rachelle handed her a clean towel. 

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“Quick, dry yourself off. What are you doing out here so late? Weren’t you with Damian for an interview? I just watched your livestream.” 

Claudine’s voice was calm. 

“He went to someone else!” 

Rachelle was interrupted. 

She turned to glance at the woman in the passenger seat. 

The snow in her hair had melted, leaving it damp, and her face was pale, devoid of any color. 

Rachelle didn’t continue speaking. 

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