Chapter 29 Caught in the Act.
10 Free Coins
“So what if she’s arrogant? She’s Nero’s wife, the mistress of the White family. Forget Hudsonville–even when she eventually returns to the Capital, if she wants to be arrogant, others will have no choice but to accept it.”
Raine fell silent, feeling bitter jealousy. She knew the old lady was right.
Claudia came out to send off the old lady, intending to speak to her privately, and happened to overhear this conversation,
Seeing Raine’s expression, Claudia nearly laughed aloud, quietly curving her lips into a smile.
What’s the point of all these petty schemes? What’s not yours will never become yours.
Ambition is good, but ambition without matching ability, especially when coupled with reckless plotting, simply makes one look like a clown.
Raine turned her head unintentionally and spotted Claudia, her expression changing drastically.
Claudia smiled sweetly at her, though the smile didn’t reach her eyes. She called out cheerfully, “Grandma!”
The old lady turned back. Upon seeing her, her voice softened slightly.
“What brought you outside?”
Holding a packet of herbs, Claudia said gently, “Mr. Nero isn’t feeling too comfortable, so he asked me to see you off.”
She handed the packer of herbs forward. “I heard you have trouble with your legs. This herbal mixture was made by one of my older relatives. Take it home and soak your feet in it every night; it should provide some relief.
She had actually prepared the herbs herself. She’d thought about the old lady’s leg problems earlier and secretly mixed the herbs a few days ago.
But mentioning her own name wouldn’t seem credible, and the old lady might not use them. It was better to vaguely credit a senior family member. After all, everyone knew her mother was a legendary doctor, so it wouldn’t seem strange.
Surprised, the old lady accepted the herbs and said gently, “You’re very thoughtful.”
After seeing the old lady off, Claudia turned back. Raine had already disappeared, but she didn’t care and started walking back.
Suddenly, she heard faint sounds of argument.
Her ears perked up, and she moved quietly toward the noise.
Behind a flourishing bougainvillea bush, she saw Mandy and Raine pulling at each otherf
Mandy lowered her voice, hissing, They said if I don’t pay, I’ll go to jaill Raine, don’t treat me like an idiot! Everything you told me yesterday was deliberate! If you hadn’t provoked me, would I have done something that impulsive?!”
“And those flowers–I only stole them because you told me to!”
“Mandy, be reasonable. You deliberately broke that jade pendant and Frained Claudia all on your own. What does any of this have to do with me?”
“So you’re really not giving me that five hundred thousand? Then don’t blame me for going to Mr. Nero! Do you think he’ll still believe this had nothing to do with you?”
You-
Before Raine could continue, she suddenly noticed Claudia.
Claudia stood calmly behind two clusters of flowering vines, arins crossed leisurely. Who knows how long she’d been there, listening quietly!
Kaine’s expression shifted dramatically.
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Chapter 29 Caught in the Act.
Claudia smirked coldly–she knew Raine had been behind all this!
Sweeping her eyes over both women, Claudia couldn’t be bothered to waste words and simply addressed Raine directly. “Tve recorded your entire conversation. I suggest you behave yourself from now on–unless you’d prefer me handing the recording directly to Mr. Nero!”
With that, she turned gracefully and walked away.
“Raine, you’ll pay at least four hundred thousand of that five hundred thousand, or I’ll also tell Mr. Nero everything!” Mandy threatened.
Raine’s face twisted unpleasantly.
Claudia walked back briskly, her hands empty. In truth, she hadn’t brought her phone out at all–there was no recording. She’d simply bluffed Raine.
Returning to the living room, Nero was still there, quietly speaking with Simon.
Her steps quickened unconsciously as she rushed toward him.
“You’re back?” Nero signaled Simon to pause, lifting his gaze toward Claudia. His deep, dark eyes reflected her slender figure as she approached.
“Mm–hmm!” Claudia’s lips curved into a soft smile. She hadn’t expected Nero to so readily agree to her casually mentioned idea of sending herbs to the old lady–he hadn’t dismissed her efforts or suggested they weren’t needed because the old lady already had doctors.
Thinking again about how he’d defended her twice today, sweetness filled her heart. She sat beside him and deliberately teased, “Honey, earlier, were you worried Grandma would misunderstand me? Was that why you specifically defended me?” Nero’s expression remained neutral. “You did nothing wrong. Naturally, I wouldn’t let Grandma misunderstand you.” Claudia felt deeply moved, but still reminded him softly, “Next time, please don’t defend me in front of Grandma. I don’t want her to think you’ve forgotten her now that you have a wife. Your relationship with her is too important; I don’t want to create any rift. I can handle things myself!”
Remembering how irresponsible she’d been in her previous life–how he’d repeatedly defended her, hurting the old lady each time–she felt genuinely guilty.
When Nero first heard her say “don’t defend me,” he initially thought she was upset. But as she continued, he quickly understood her true concern.
After a brief pause, he assured her, “It’s fine. Grandma isn’t that petty”
Chapter 30 An Unwelcome Reunion
