"My mom was the Hale Family’s maid, and from the mont she gave birth to , it was destined that I would be hated by the Hale Family for the rest of my life, and it was impossible for to have a happy childhood."
She surprisingly didn’t, as usual, avoid ntioning the past.
The identity of an illegitimate daughter was the original sin nailed to Claire Hale.
The Hale Family’s genuine princess, Evan Hale’s daughter, Cynthia Hale, had always loved to bully her since childhood.
At school, she would collude with other kids to ostracize her, locking her in the boys’ restroom, and throwing water and school supplies at her.
As for in the Hale Family, they wouldn’t even treat her like a human being.
Being locked in the bathroom or the attic was a common occurrence.
Claire Hale still rembers that day was her eighth birthday; the day before, Evan Hale had told her there would be a birthday party for her.
But, unfortunately, Cynthia Hale shared the sa birthday.
That day, Cynthia Hale invited the other kids at the birthday party, who not only tore off Claire’s clothes but also had the boys bully her.
"Her mom seduced my uncle, she’s a shaless mistress! She’ll definitely grow up to be a howrecking bad woman, and maybe she’ll even seduce your dads! You should take this chance to destroy her!"
When those boys ca to rip off her clothes, Claire Hale was trembling all over, not even knowing whom to ask for help.
She even hopelessly thought about dying.
"Stop it!"
The clear male voice was like a ray of hope amidst despair; when Claire Hale nervously raised her face from her knees, she saw a clean and gentle-looking boy.
He reached out to her like a heroic prince.
Elegantly and gentlemanly, he said to her:
"My little princess, may I have this dance?"
At the mont she hesitantly held his hand, what Claire Hale thought was that she wanted to hold it for the rest of her life.
"Just because of that one sentence, you wanted to be with him forever?"
Upon hearing this, Tristan Lockwood blandly asked such a question, his face hidden in darkness, its expression unknown.
Claire Hale: "After he helped , Cynthia Hale rarely dared to bully again. My days in the Hale Family also improved a lot. Otherwise, I might really have chosen to die like my mother."
The grip on her waist subtly tightened as he thoughtfully said, "That ans that boy’s family background is better than the Hales. It’s always the sa few families in this circle—how could I not recognize him?"
"You don’t know him."
She still stubbornly denied it.
A cooling breath, Tristan Lockwood’s emotions beca complex.
While Claire Hale recalled the boy, although he couldn’t see her expression, rely from her tone, he could clearly sense how much she liked that boy.
He always thought she only cared about money, that she was cold and heartless to the core, not knowing what genuine affection was.
Unexpectedly, her true feelings had long been left with soone else.
"Then what happened?" Tristan Lockwood asked coolly, "Weren’t you going to be with him forever? How did you end up marrying ?"
Claire Hale didn’t speak, she silently nestled into his embrace.
Tristan Lockwood waited for a while, but without hearing her answer, all he heard was her heavy breathing.
She had already fallen asleep.
He lowered his head, his palm moved from her waist to her neck.
As he touched her face, he suddenly rembered her eighteenth birthday, when she was too drunk to be aware, that she had also obediently and dependently burrowed into his arms.
That night, on a whim, he had kissed her in the darkness.
At this mont, his finger brushed over her soft lips in the sa way.
With pitch-black eyes, he was exceptionally awake.
...
When Claire Hale opened her eyes again, it was already the next morning.
After washing and getting dressed, she went downstairs; Tristan Lockwood had woken up earlier than her and was already waiting on the first floor, pristine in a suit.
"I’ll take you today."
His expression was indifferent, no different from usual. Yet on the way, Claire Hale keenly noticed that Tristan Lockwood drove much more steadily today than usual.
When they reached the office building downstairs, as she was about to get out of the car, he turned and said, "I’ll pick you up tonight."
She was slightly taken aback, staring at him.
He said calmly, "Moved?"
"Yes."
Her unexpectedly frank reply made him pause, then he looked away, saying, "If anything happens to you, I won’t be able to explain it to Grandpa and Grandma."
"I know."
As the words fell, so did the faint scent of her perfu.
Tristan Lockwood hadn’t expected Claire Hale to lean in and suddenly hug him.
One hand casually rested on the steering wheel, the other just hanging by his side, he raised and lowered it.
In his ear, Claire Hale said sincerely, "Thank you for last night."
Then she left the car.
Before entering the building, Claire Hale glanced back, and Tristan Lockwood’s car had already driven away.
She took a deep breath to calm her racing heart.
Last night, when Tristan Lockwood’s hand brushed over her lips, she wasn’t completely asleep.
Half-awake, when a soft touch was felt on her forehead, she realized Tristan Lockwood was kissing her.
Compared to the twists and turns before their past nights together, this kiss was much purer.
Inviting her to nostalgia.
Making her unable to stop recalling the tenderness he had given her during their past.
Even if fragnted and scarce.
But they have supported her to live on.
At night, after Tristan Lockwood picked up Claire Hale, noticing her constantly typing on her phone with a slight smile occasionally at the corners, he asked, "Is it a client again?"
"It’s Lawyer Dean." Claire Hale replied honestly, "He has a criminal case, discussing ideas with ."
"Discussing a criminal case can make you so happy?"
Without realizing it himself, Tristan Lockwood’s tone was sowhat sharp.
Claire Hale didn’t sense anything odd from him and continued, "Ninety-five percent of the firm’s business is related to romance and marriage; criminal cases are kind of a blind spot. Lawyer Dean is an expert; many of his opinions are very interesting."
Between the lines, there was much admiration for Dean Dawson.
Tristan Lockwood snorted softly, "n will always disguise themselves. Do you really think he talks so much just to discuss professional matters?"
"At least right now he is." Claire Hale said, glancing at him slightly, "Although, speaking of n disguising themselves, I quite agree with you. When it cos to pretending, if you’re number two, no one would dare claim number one."
He glanced at her serenely and didn’t retort.
Claire Hale couldn’t help but continue, "And even if sothing actually happens with Lawyer Dean, wouldn’t I be just following your lead? You’ve made wear so many green hats over my head, why can’t I give you one and you just can’t take it?"
Tristan Lockwood suddenly slamd on the brakes.
Claire Hale was thrown forward from the inertia, her forehead inadvertently hitting the window.
"Thinking of cheating right in front of , Claire Hale, your courage is getting bigger and bigger."
Tristan Lockwood turned to her, glaring coldly, his gaze terrifying.
Yesterday’s encounter with an aggressive driver was still vivid for Claire Hale. Now, faced with Tristan Lockwood, her face turned pale as she said, "If you don’t drive properly, let out of the car."
Her voice trembled.
After staring at her for a long while, Tristan Lockwood slowly spoke, "When I talked to you the other day, I wasn’t joking. If you really dare to do anything that betrays , don’t bla for coming after what you care about."
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