Chapter 7
Just as Claudine was about to introduce Darlene to him, she remembered that Darlene had never admitted to being her stepdaughter.
Today of all days, she couldn’t afford to embarrass herself in front of Roberto. The last thing she wanted was for him to question her professionalism.
“She’s the daughter of a friend of mine.”
Damian happened to hear her say this while coming over.
He instinctively looked at Claudine, only to see her bare ring finger.
His gaze turned icy as he quickly averted his gaze and bent over to pick up Darlene.
“Daddy…”
Darlene felt upset, but she couldn’t tell why.
Joy flooded her when she spotted Claudine, but Claudine offered neither embrace nor affectionate words at all.
***
Claudine wasn’t surprised to see Damian.
He was Bronzevale’s foremost elite. Of course, he wouldn’t have missed such a high–profile charity auction.
She didn’t mind him seeing her here. After all, she was already set to divorce him.
Roberto stood up first and extended his right hand.
“Hi. I’m Roberto Gregory, Claudine’s friend.”
Damian nodded slightly in response.
“Damian Barrette,” he said concisely.
Roberto retracted his hand, smiling humbly.
“Mr. Barrette, it’s my pleasure to see you.”
This time, Damian didn’t say anything. He just turned to look at Claudine.
Different from her normal attire, she wore a sleek, form–fitting black business suit today, her skirt ending perfectly
above the knees.
Her charm managed to transform the most conventional attire into something captivating.
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Chapter 7
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Damian’s gaze darkened.
Uneasy under his stare, Claudine parted her lips, wanting to say something.
Just then, Darlene said while wrapping her arms around Damian’s neck, “Daddy, look! Lindsay’s coming over.”
Damian nodded and said to Roberto, “Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Gregory.”
Claudine watched as Damian walked toward Lindsay.
While still meters away, Darlene stretched out her arms, seeking Lindsay’s embrace.
The three of them then entered the elevator together, the smiles on their faces stinging her eyes…
She lowered her head to take a sip of the coffee, bitter and sobering.
Meanwhile, Roberto gazed at her. Her eyes, beautiful yet unreadable, suggested volumes left unspoken.
But since she didn’t share, he wouldn’t pry.
Soon, the auction began. Within minutes, Darlene pouted, complaining about how boring it was.
Damian said a few words to Lindsay before taking Darlene to leave.
In the car, Darlene nestled in his arms, so sleepy that she could barely keep her eyes open.
“Daddy, when is Claudine coming home? I miss her bunny–shaped sandwiches.”
Hearing this, he looked down at her, only to see her dozing off.
He draped his suit jacket over her before turning to look outside the window.
Neon lights flickered, adorning the streets. When had it started raining? He hadn’t even noticed.
This kind of weather always slithered under one’s skin so easily…
As the auction hit its climax, Claudine stepped into the spotlight.
After five years, she stood on stage, hosting a major auction like this. Facing the audience, she almost felt like she was reborn.
Damian’s presence didn’t cross her mind. Her only focus was on figuring out how to maximize the auction’s value.
Lindsay gaped at Claudine, wondering if she was seeing things.
Claudine? An auctioneer? No way.
She was a housewife, good at nothing but chores, wasn’t she?
Lindsay was on pins and needles as she fixed her gaze on Claudine, the center of everyone’s attention, radiating confi- dence and brilliance.
Deep down, she had always looked down on Claudine. To her, Claudine got to be Damian’s wife all thanks to her
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Chapter 7
pretty face and powerful family.
If she had been born into such a wealthy family, she’d have ended up with Damian–not Claudine.
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But today, she realized she was wrong. As she watched those staggering bids and raising paddles, she secretly re- joiced that Damian hadn’t stayed. Otherwise, he would have been impressed by this side of Claudine. She was the real gem today.
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