On the screen, Claire Shaw revealed only her chin and red lips, her tongue leisurely sweeping across them, and her voice was both coquettish and enchanting, "Brother, do you want to see?"
This girl, how did she learn such tricks? Ethan Blackwood felt his blood rushing, this was even more exciting than having her right in front of him.
He found himself inexplicably responding in a hoarse voice, "I do..."
Previous encounters had shown Ethan that Claire often put on a show in inexplicable situations.
Like the ti during the high-level eting when she made a scandalous appearance, leading to the old executives secretly gossiping about him being a playboy, toying with young girls’ feelings.
Sohow, the rumors spread, and even when he went to the restroom, he unintentionally overheard the cleaning lady whispering behind his back.
Saying things like he was two-timing in one night, and the rumors grew more and more exaggerated.
However, these rumors didn’t bother him much, and they even served to deter won who were interested in him, so he let them run their course.
Thus, before answering the video call, he deliberately avoided others, leaving only the wild creatures, flying birds, and a quietly shining full moon above.
He looked forward to it a bit as he watched Claire slowly move the phone, finally settling on the red wine stain on her pink bathrobe.
"Look, my clothes are wet..." she complained.
Ethan couldn’t help but laugh, "Ms. Shaw, you’ve turned wicked."
Claire chuckled softly, "Then co back soon."
"Okay."
Claire could see that he was outdoors, her concern evident as her smile faded, "Stay safe."
"Okay."
Claire was reluctant to end the video, feeling like he was by her side even just by hearing his shallow breathing.
Yet, at that mont, a loud explosion bood from the other end of the call.
"Ethan!" Claire shot upright from her chair, her sharp movents causing red wine to spill over her, but she paid it no mind, anxiously staring at her phone.
Fortunately, Ethan quickly responded, his voice as calm as always, "Don’t worry, I’m fine. I just need to handle so trouble. Good night."
Even at this mont, he didn’t forget to reassure her, bidding her good night.
The video call ended, leaving Claire covered in red wine.
She felt lost, murmuring towards the distant lights, "Ethan, please co back safe."
But this ti, no one responded to her.
That night, Claire slept fitfully.
Her dreams were filled with deafening explosions, and a roaring monster erged from the mountain, with Ethan running towards it instead of escaping.
Claire kept calling his na, "Ethan, co back!"
"Ethan!"
Claire awoke with a start, finding her pillow damp with tears, but today there was no one to wipe them away.
The faint scent of roses lingered in the air, once a comfort, but now it filled Claire with anxiety.
She stared blankly at the grayish sky outside.
The day would always break, and life would always move forward.
She should trust Ethan; this was just part of his work.
And now, she should focus on her own tasks.
Claire’s resilience was stronger than most young girls, but she also found it easier to collapse; it was a double-edged sword.
She tidied herself up and drafted a resignation letter.
As she headed downstairs, two tall bodyguards in black attire appeared suddenly by the car.
"Ms. Shaw, we will be accompanying you from now on."
Claire was initially reluctant, but knowing the culprit was still at large, she decided to be cautious.
"What are your nas?"
The two, appearing no older than their twenties, with cropped hair and tall statures, were not inferior to Ethan in looks, with striking features, especially the faint scar on one of their jaws.
Their skin was a healthy bronze, and their gazes were steady, unlike typical bodyguards.
"I’m Wyatt, and he’s Leo," Wyatt spoke, his voice brisk and powerful.
Claire nodded, "Thank you for your assistance."
Wyatt opened the SUV door, "Please, Ms. Shaw, take a seat."
Both stood straight as rulers, with unwavering expressions, their movents ticulously precise.
Claire felt like a dignitary boarding a car, feeling inexplicably nervous.
This vehicle had been specially modified, with bulletproof and privacy-proof glass.
Claire, accustod to her tiny mini, felt a bit displaced suddenly sitting in the spacious backseat, feeling like a national treasure being guarded.
Leo, in the passenger seat, exchanged contacts with Claire.
Throughout the drive, Claire’s mind was burdened, alternating between thoughts of Ethan and Damian Sutton’s words from the previous day.
He ntioned her and Owen Crawford at the sa hotel; who spread that gossip? What were their motives?
That night, only she, Owen Crawford, and a woman whose voice resembled Yasmin Yorke’s were there.
Who could it be?
It felt like a pair of unseen eyes were glaring at her, sending chills down Claire’s spine.
Returning to the kindergarten, her mindset had shifted significantly.
She truly loved her job, enjoying ti with the children.
But now she’d found soone she loved even more than her job.
Claire was a stubborn person by nature; once she had sothing, she wouldn’t let go.
She greeted each child as usual and then headed to the principal’s office.
Other teachers were present, gazing at her with disdain.
The principal wore a stern expression, "Ms. Shaw, as a teacher, shouldn’t you be more mindful of your private life?"
"Principal, I’m not sure what you an."
The principal tossed a few photos on the table, captured from the corridor’s surveillance, showing her in a bathrobe colliding into Owen Crawford’s arms.
"Soone anonymously reported you for seducing another woman’s fiancé, Ms. Shaw. I know you dated Mr. Crawford in the past, but he’s engaged now, and you’re still eting in hotels..."
Yasmin Yorke, arms crossed, smirked, "Ms. Shaw, didn’t you always claim Owen Crawford was trash? And yet, you’re rushing into his arms?"
"Ms. Shaw, you’ve been with us for a year; I thought you were a composed individual, yet one mont it’s Mrs. Lewis, the next it’s Mr. Crawford. You’ve tarnished our school’s reputation!"
Claire had long known the ugliness of human nature, vividly contrasting with the principal’s sycophantic deanor when asking her to join The Blackwood Group.
Cecilia Lewis’s issue had long been resolved, yet the principal purposely muddled the facts to sow confusion.
Yasmin raised her brows, seemingly eager to see Claire plead in desperation.
Claire remained calm, not bothering to utter a word in defense.
"If that’s the case, then I’ll resign."
The principal was visibly flustered, evidently not expecting Claire to be so firm.
"Ms. Shaw, we only wanted an explanation, why are you resigning?"
Claire took out her resignation letter from her bag, "I’ve worked here for a year. You all know what kind of person I am, whether you’re trying to ostracize or want to see in distress, I don’t care about your opinions. I’ll forgo this month’s salary and bonus. Thank you for your past assistance, and farewell."
"Ms. Shaw, don’t go! We can discuss this calmly..."
Claire understood that the principal didn’t want her to leave; she rely intended to leverage this to remove Claire’s director title in exchange for greater benefits.
Unfortunately, that director title never ant anything to her.
Yasmin didn’t expect Claire to act this way, looking perplexed.
Claire approached her, speaking coolly, "Mr. Yorke, if you wish not to be known, do nothing deserving of notice. So matters, so people, are best left unassociated, lest you et an untily end."
With that, she left calmly.
Outside the classroom door, she looked at the children she’d taught one last ti.
It’s a pity she couldn’t say goodbye to them in person.
After all, she’s always disliked farewells.
Once she freed herself of the teacher’s burden, henceforth, she could stand proudly beside Ethan Blackwood.
No matter how deep the chasm between them, she’d work step by step to reach him.
Just as she thought so, a well-dressed man appeared before her.
"Hello, Ms. Shaw, my elder invites you."
Claire’s gaze turned wary, "May I ask who your elder is?"
The man’s eyes were proud as he answered ticulously, "My elder’s surna is Blackwood, Ms. Shaw, please step into the car."
Claire’s heart tightened, for soone from the Blackwood family had co.
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