Fated Marriage Spoiled by My Ice Billionaire novel Chapter 709

Chapter 709 Pull Yourself Together

Chapter 709 Pull Yourself Together

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She’d barely slept the night before, and she drifted off into a deep sleep the moment she lay down on the bed.

When she woke up, it was already three in the afternoon.

A round of knocks echoed from outside her bedroom door.

Claudia pressed a hand to her forehead and caught sight of a box of calming incense sitting beside the bed.

She opened the door to find Joyce Davidson standing in the hallway.

This was the very woman who’d been in bed with Darrell–the daughter of a local interior design firm owner in Nevaske City.

She was also an acquaintance of Claudia’s best friend, Katrina Dudley.

Claudia’s gaze fell on the faint love marks on Joyce’s neck, the very marks clearly captured in the leaked videos.

Joyce’s face flushed with embarrassment. She followed Claudia’s line of sight and quickly tugged at her collar to cover it.

“Quit staring,” Joyce said awkwardly. “Katrina and I brought your wedding gowns over. Want to come try them on with us?”

Claudia forced a smile and nodded, asking Joyce to wait a moment.

She closed and locked the door again, walked over to the incense by the bed, and carried it to the bathroom. She filled it with water to soak it completely, then set it back in its place beside the headboard.

Once she’d finished, she headed back out of the room.

Before she could step fully into the hall, someone rushed over and pulled her tight into his arms.

“Claudia, you’re finally getting everything you’ve always wanted,” the woman said softly.

Claudia let out a bitter laugh.

Getting what I wanted?

It was true–up until yesterday, she’d dreamed endlessly of marrying Darrell.

She recognized the familiar perfume lingering on the woman holding her.

It was Katrina.

Claudia could never tell which side Katrina was truly on.

Katrina had striking, bewitching looks and sleek, long hair. She was free–spirited and easygoing, never

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Chapter 709 Pull Yourself Together

fussing over small details.

Her personality was the complete opposite of Claudia’s shy, introverted nature.

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Claudia was forced to spend the entire afternoon trying on wedding gowns and fancy formal dresses one after another.

She kept hoping to borrow someone’s phone to make an urgent call.

Joyce was out of the question; she was clearly involved in everything going on behind the scenes.

Katrina…

Claudia hesitated, yet decided she had to take a chance.

She sat down to take a sip of water and spotted Katrina’s phone lying on the table nearby.

“Katrina, can I borrow your phone?” she asked casually. “I can’t find mine anywhere.”

Katrina was busy sorting through dresses nearby and agreed without a second thought, “It’s still unlocked with the same passcode. You can even use the emergency contact shortcut if you need to.”

Claudia picked up her phone, opened the emergency contact list, and dialed her own number. The screen immediately showed that the call could not be connected.

She glanced and noticed Katrina’s phone had full service.

It all clicked into place. Someone had tampered with her phone and blocked all signals on purpose.

She didn’t unlock the phone to call Harold right then. Joyce was lingering beside her, pretending to be busy the whole time, watching her every move.

Her heart raced wildly with growing panic. She hurried to the bathroom and splashed water on her face, trying to calm her frayed nerves.

The bodyguards, posted at the door, followed closely behind her the second she stepped inside.

Claudia noticed their surveillance at once. Escaping from this place would be far harder than she’d thought.

She stared at her pale reflection in the mirror and silently tried to soothe her racing mind.

Stay calm. Just stay calm.

She stayed in the bathroom for roughly ten minutes before Joyce’s voice came from outside the door. ‘Claudia, are you alright in there?”

I’m fine. I’ll be right out, Claudia replied, forcing her voice to stay steady.

Joyce stood right outside, flanked by two bodyguards who looked ready to force their way inside at any

moment.

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Chapter 709 Pull Yourself Together

Claudia smoothed out her clothes, her hands still trembling uncontrollably.

What are they trying to do?

What’s in it for them if I marry Darrell? Why does everyone want to stick their nose in?

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She slapped her own cheek lightly to snap herself out of her panic. “Pull yourself together, Claudia.”

After a moment, she walked back out into the hall. Joyce let out a quiet, relieved breath.

Claudia ate dinner alone that night.

Everyone else had left the villa, and not a single member of the Bowman family remained on the premises. The only change was more bodyguards posted around the gates.

At eight o’clock, Darrell showed up at the villa.

Claudia had spent the time studying every security camera and possible escape route around the house.

Every exit was tightly guarded with no way out.

Just as she set aside her futile thoughts, she spotted Darrell standing by the gate, staring straight at her.

He stood with his back to the light–broad shoulder and lean waist, dressed in a tailored suit that exuded wealth and refinement.

His tie was neatly knotted, giving him a polished, respectable air.

A jolt of unease shot through Claudia’s chest.

Darrell was handsome. He had a gentle, pleasing face, the exact type countless young women dreamed of marrying.

Yet underneath that perfect exterior, he was nothing as he seemed.

Cold sweat broke out across Claudia’s palms and down her back.

“Darrell,” Claudia said quietly..

She’d grown used to calling his name over the years, but saying it out loud now left her feeling disgusted.

Darrell walked toward her with a soft, tender expression. Claudia stepped back a few paces, only for him to gently pull her forward and wrap her in his arms. She struggled to break free, yet his hold kept her trapped in place.

“Claudia, Darrell murmured.

The air was thick with the strong scent of his cologne, mixed with a faint hint of alcohol.

He’s been drinking.

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Chapter 709 Pull Yourself Together

Claudia froze where she stood, able to hear her own heartbeat pounding loudly.

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She pushed Darrell away abruptly, her face flushing bright red. “You shouldn’t be here before the wedding. It’s bad luck for us to meet early.”

Darrell smiled fondly and pinched her cheek playfully, “You look so scared; your face turned pale. We’re almost married now–what’s wrong with a little hug?”

Claudia had barely had any real contact with Darrell until their engagement. If Imogen hadn’t known about her secret crush on him, Darrell would have never proposed this arranged marriage in the first place.

She could never figure out what Darrell hoped to gain from this union.

The Bowman family had never treated her well. Aside from her looks, she had nothing they seemed to value or profit from.

“I’m just not used to this yet,” Claudia whispered.

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