Chapter 377
‘Who the hell are you calling “Mom“? Shameless bastard.‘
Clayton never once called Lucia “Mom” when he was married to Audrey, but now that they were divorced, suddenly he knew how to say it?
“Is this… your son?” the woman shopping for a house asked curiously.
“He’s not…”
“I’m the son–in–law,” Clayton offered with a polite smile.
Lucia immediately glanced around in panic. ‘God forbid someone familiar catch wind of me acknowledging him as family. What would that make Yann?‘
“Oh, such a fine–looking young man,” the woman complimented.
Clayton wasn’t back to his peak physical condition yet, but his outfit alone now surpassed anything he wore back then.
Clothes really did make the man.
From the way he subtly showed off his watch and carried himself with that strained sense of upper–class polish, it was obvious to the woman that he was the kind of man who lived off other people’s money.
Just as Clayton was about to cozy up and make conversation, Lucia grabbed him by the sleeve and dragged him away.
He gave the woman an apologetic smile and followed Lucia out to a quieter spot. That was when Emilia saw them together. She immediately pulled out her phone and started recording.
That was when Emilia saw them together. She immediately pulled out her phone and started recording.
“What the hell was that?” Lucia hissed. “Do you want people to hear you and ruin everything?”
Clayton shrugged, completely unbothered. “I’m planning to get back together with Audrey. Calling you ‘Mom‘ is just getting ahead of the game. No harm
in that.”
Lucia clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms. It was like he couldn’t understand human language.
She had already told him-“we’ll talk about it later.” And “later” meant uncertain. It meant probably never.
Now he was running his mouth in public? The little chance he did have was completely gone.
Not that she had truly intended to get them back together, but if Yann ever heard about this, she couldn’t even begin to imagine the fallout.
“Don’t go around talking about things that haven’t happened.”
“Changing your mind already?” Clayton’s smile faded. “You weren’t just using me, were you?”
‘I was. I absolutely was.‘ Lucia took a deep breath and forced herself to stay calm. “Do you want to get back with Audrey or not? If you do, then stick to the plan and let me take the lead.”
“Of course I want to,” Clayton replied, nodding. “But don’t take me for a fool. If you try to screw me over, I’ll hand everything to Audrey. And if I can’t have her, I’ll make sure you lose her too.”
Lucia’s face turned pale.
She bit her lip, stealing a glance toward the woman she’d been chatting with earlier, who was now speaking to someone else. She needed that woman to become her client, now more than ever.
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Chapter 377
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Lucia said, forcing a smile. “We’re going to be family. You need to keep things quiet for now. This is Ashbourne, not ironhaven. Yann’s got eyes everywhere here. If you want to keep your shot with Audrey, you’ll do what I say.”
She gave him a little shove and rushed back toward her potential client.
Clayton didn’t leave. He lingered nearby, pacing slowly, until he suddenly locked eyes with Emilia across the street.
Emilia tilted her head slightly. Clayton crossed the street toward her.
“Heading back to Ironhaven for the holidays?” he asked.
Emilia nodded, giving him a curious once–over. “What, back on your feet?”
Clayton chuckled, full of smug satisfaction. ‘So they thought I was finished, huh? Thought losing Audrey meant losing everything? Thought I’d end up pitiful and broke? Well, look at me now.’
“Doing alright,” he said, adjusting his tie just enough to let the ten–grand watch catch the light.
Emilia gave it a glance and then casually brushed a lock of hair from her temple.
She had a watch too, courtesy of Audrey. A thank–you gift for her outstanding performance and dedication. It was worth nearly a hundred thousand.
Clayton noticed. The light in his eyes dimmed slightly, his smile turning sharp. “Looks like you’re thriving at StrideVestment. Sporting a Patek Philippe
now.”
“Doing alright,” Emilia echoed with a subtle smirk.
‘That stung,‘ he muttered inwardly, jaw tight.
“I might be getting a place in Ashbourne next year. Once I’ve got the keys, I’ll invite you over,” Emilia added, glancing toward the Westmoor Heights sales
office.
She never said which development. But the look she shot toward that building?
To Clayton, it was as clear as a billboard–Audrey was giving one of the Westmoor Heights units to someone who worked for her.
‘Why her? What makes Emilia so special?‘
If it weren’t for him, Emilia would’ve never met Audrey. She only got into Samson Legal because of that connection. If he hadn’t divorced Audrey, Emilia wouldn’t have had the chance to latch on and climb her way in.
Everything Emilia had now should’ve been his.
He saw the flicker of unease in Emilia’s eyes and the subtle caution in her posture. She sensed the shift too. “I’ve got things to do. See you around,” Emilia said, stepping away like a true professional.
“See you,” Clayton replied, watching her step into a sleek Audi. The cold glint in his eyes sharpened.
Lucia had spent nearly an hour chatting with her potential client, Marla Pennington, the wife of a mining tycoon. She told her that a “friend” was selling a unit in Westmoor Heights and suggested Marla discuss it with her husband. Good properties like that didn’t come around often.
Marla, intrigued by her detail and confidence, exchanged contact info before leaving.
Lucia walked out beaming until she saw Clayton leaning against her car. “You’re still here?”
“Your friend’s selling a unit here?” Clayton asked, voice cool and eyes sharp. “What about the unit you promised me?”
Lucia felt her head ache. ‘He’s like a damn leech.‘
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Chapter 377
“Can’t my friend have two properties? She said if I help her sell one, she’ll give me a discount on the other,” Lucia replied, her tone defensive, eyes avoiding his.
But Clayton wasn’t stupid.
Units in Westmoor Heights were impossible to get. Who in their right mind would offer a discount just to sell one off? Especially through Lucia?
He crossed his arms and gave her a cold smile. “You might not know this, but Audrey’s legal advisor used to work at my firm. We’re close. Ran into her just now, and she invited me to her place.”
Lucia hadn’t heard anything about that.
She blinked, clearly caught off guard.
“What unit is your friend selling? Take me to see it tomorrow. Don’t think I can’t get to Audrey. If you try to trick me, I’ll hand everything to her lawyer. Then it won’t just be mother–daughter drama. You’ll have legal consequences.”
Lucia went white.
She swallowed hard and then forced out a brittle smile. “Why would I lie to you, Clayton? Don’t do anything impulsive. My friend’s not even in the country right now. I can’t get the keys just yet, but I can take you to the model home.”
Clayton scoffed and turned to leave.
“Clayton! Wait!” Lucia called out, chasing after him.
Her heels clacked against the stone path. As she rushed forward, she twisted her ankle and stumbled, grabbing his sleeve for balance.
Clayton didn’t shake her off. He turned slightly to look at her.
Lucia rubbed her ankle, wincing. “You called me ‘Mom‘ earlier. That means you’re my son–in–law. We’re family now. You wouldn’t hurt your own family, would you?”
Clayton knew exactly when to push and when to pull back. He softened his expression and steadied her with one arm. “If this property deal is really private, I should be there when the paperwork is signed. Wouldn’t want you getting scammed.”
AD
