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In this relationship, she is the third party!” 

As she said this, Audrey stared at Claudine with a half–smile. 

For a moment, Claudine even saw a hint of triumph in her eyes. 

She frowned, feeling that Audrey’s words were completely illogical. 

There was no need for her to argue with Audrey here. 

Claudine put some distance between herself and Audrey, her expression growing colder and more distant. 

“But now, you are the ex–wife, the outsider in their marriage. Love may not have right or wrong, but marriage does!” 

With those words, Claudine left the backstage area. 

She saw no reason to waste her time on someone with such twisted values. 

Watching Claudine’s departing figure, something flickered in Audrey’s eyes, and the strap of her bag twisted from her tight grip. 

Leaving the auction venue, Claudine drove home. 

Her thesis topic was already decided, and now it was time to start preparing. 

As for Audrey saying she would also apply for Prof. Nixon’s PhD program, and even that her devoted ex–husband had bought the Ethereal Seraphim Sculpture for her research, Claudine didn’t give it a second thought. 

Prof. Nixon, as the top porcelain restoration expert both domestically and internationally, had countless applicants for her doctoral program every year. 

Claudine had long been mentally prepared for this pressure. 

Audrey was just one more among many. 

Driving all the way back to Willow Creek Villas, Claudine got out of the car and headed for the elevator. 

Unexpectedly, in the next moment, two men in black suits appeared on either side of her. 

“Mrs. Barrette, Mr. Barrette asked us to escort you home!” 

Claudine frowned. 

“Did he say what this is about?” 

The two men did not answer, simply blocking Claudine’s way. 

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Claudine could tell that these two would not let her leave easily. 

She took out her phone, intending to call Damian herself and ask what he meant by all this. 

She found Damian’s number in her contacts, only to realize she had actually blocked him. 

It must have been that early morning after returning from Belmont Estates, when she was too upset and blocked him out of spite. 

Claudine dialed his number, the ringtone rang for a long time, but no one answered. 

“Mrs. Barrette, please come with us for now!” 

Claudine looked at the two men in front of her. 

She didn’t know why Damian had found her here and sent these two men, but if he wanted her to come back, it was probably about the divorce. 

Last time, when Darla was sick, she hadn’t had a proper talk with him; this was a good opportunity. 

Claudine walked toward her car, but was stopped. 

“Mrs. Barrette, please take our car back!” 

Claudine frowned. 

“Did Damian tell you to drag me back by force?” 

Her tone was far from friendly, and her eyes showed clear anger. 

Usually, she was always good–natured in front of these people, but now, her sudden seriousness made her presence rather intimidating. 

The two men exchanged glances, not daring to insist any further. 

With a cold face, Claudine opened the car door and got into the driver’s seat. 

She pressed hard on the accelerator, and the car shot out of the parking space like an arrow. 

The two men hurried back to their own car, started the engine, and followed closely behind. 

Claudine drove all the way back to Belmont Estates. 

She parked the car in the yard. 

Claudine rested her hand on the door handle, but did not immediately open the door. 

The scene of her last departure was still vivid in her mind. 

She had left in such a sorry state, and now, Damian had sent two people to call her back. 

Did he really think she would come and go at his beck and call? 

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Claudine dialed the number again, and this time, it was answered. 

“Why did you call me back?” 

But the voice on the other end was not Damian’s. 

“Mrs. Barrette, Mr. Barrette is in a meeting right now. If you have anything to say, you can tell me first and I will pass it on to Mr. Barrette.” 

Lindsay’s attitude this time was more respectful than ever before. 

Claudine, however, did not notice this change. 

“Tell him I’m waiting for him at Belmont Estates.” 

With that, Claudine hung up the phone. 

Outside the conference room, Lindsay stared at the darkened phone screen, hardly able to believe that Claudine would say such a thing to Mr. Barrette. 

She had a feeling that after hosting that auction, Mrs. Barrette had changed. 

After all, since the auction ended, no one in the entire secretarial office had been questioned by Mrs. Barrette about Mr. Barrette’s schedule, nor had she come to the company under the pretense of delivering food to see him. 

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