Fated Marriage Spoiled by My Ice Billionaire novel Chapter 737

Chapter 737 How Will You Thank Me?

“How are you going to thank me?”

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Claudia pressed her lips together. He really had helped her a lot. How was she supposed to thank him?

She couldn’t let him suggest something–what if he asked for… no, that would be too much to deal with.

While she was still figuring it out, Harold’s next message came through.

“Get some rest. Good night.”

“Good night.” She let out a quiet breath of relief.

On the other side of town, Harold smiled faintly. He swirled the liquor in his glass slowly before taking a deliberate sip.

“You’ve been looking… content lately. Ever since you moved out of the barracks housing,” Lowell remarked from a nearby stool, legs crossed. He glanced at Harold and tipped his glass toward him. “Got someone keeping you happy?”

“That obvious?” Harold chuckled.

“Weren’t you engaged to that girl from the Flood family? What made you go and marry some nobody out of the blue?” Lowell teased lightly. “Did you sweet–talk her into it, or…?” He trailed off suggestively. “Already sealed the deal?”

Harold leaned back against the bar and tapped his fingers slowly against the polished wood.

“She’s not a nobody,” he said, his tone even.

“Heard you put her up in that townhouse. Couldn’t keep your hands to yourself, huh?”

Harold didn’t argue. A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched the corner of his mouth.

“Appetite’s only human.” Lowell shrugged, shaking his head.

Harold’s lips tightened slightly.

An image flashed in his mind–Claudia stepping out of the bathroom wearing nothing but his oversized black shirt, padding barefoot into the living room. If he’d held back even a little less earlier, she would’ve had a much rougher night.

He tugged absently at his loosened tie, swallowed once, flexed his fingers as if steadying himself, then downed the rest of his drink in one go.

He’d always considered himself restrained, disciplined–a gentleman through and through. With Loretta, or any other woman who’d crossed his path, he’d never felt more than polite indifference. Physical closeness, if anything, left him cold.

But Claudia was different.

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19:00 Sat, Jul

Chapter 737 How Will You Thank Me?

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He didn’t know why, but that day he’d gone to find her at that little farmhouse outside the city, standing so close to her for the first time in years–something inside him had shifted. Restless, rising waves he couldn’t smooth down.

And when she’d stumbled into him reaching for her phone, that cool, collected facade of his cracked right then. He’d wanted to bundle her into his car that very second.

This woman unraveled him.

“You two…” Lowell’s gaze turned knowing. He brought his hands together in a soft, suggestive clap, watching Harold’s reaction. “Did you?”

“No,” Harold replied simply, setting his glass down and pouring another.

“Then why hold back now?”

“You wouldn’t get it.”

Harvey was back. That changed things–maybe unraveled this whole arrangement.

His expression sobered. A dull sense of disappointment settled in his chest.

But what worried him more right now was whether Claudia would run.

The whole scene earlier had clearly shaken her.

The thought that she might just disappear made his chest tighten. If she did, none of this would mean a thing.

Lowell gave a low, understanding chuckle. He saw right through him but didn’t press further.

Harold took another long drink.

This was harder than he’d expected.

“I’m heading out,” he announced, setting his glass down firmly before making straight for the door.

He was going home. Back to the woman who’d turned his calm world upside down. To see if she’d fled or

not.

Just outside the entrance, he turned back to Lowell. “Don’t go spreading around that I’m married.”

“What, are you a spy now? Secret marriage?”

Harold didn’t explain. He just walked out into the night,

Only a handful of people knew for now. If word got out, everyone would. And if things fell apart and she ended up with his brother later… what would that do to her reputation?

For a moment, he allowed himself to be selfish.

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19:00 Sat, Jul 4 D

Chapter 737 How Will You Thank Me?

“Beep- Welcome home-”

The penthouse door unlocked.

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She hadn’t run. She was in the kitchen, soaking a bowl of black beans, dressed in modest, cozy loungewear.

The moment the door opened, their eyes met.

“Still up?” Harold’s voice was low, his gaze unreadable.

“Mm.”

She’d eaten too much at dinner, and after napping all afternoon, sleep felt miles away.

Harold looked away first. He walked in carrying a small paper bag, then made his way to the stainless–steel fridge and began unpacking pints of ice cream into the freezer.

“Being awake this late has its risks,” he remarked casually, without turning.

Claudia’s hand slipped slightly as she drained the water, and a few beans scattered over the counter.

She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, her heartbeat picking up.

It was a warm night, but he still wore a long–sleeved black shirt, the top three buttons undone, revealing a glimpse of toned skin beneath. She could smell the faint, clean scent of tequila on him.

He’d been drinking.

He wasn’t just a danger–he was the danger.

Harold closed the freezer door.

Claudia added fresh water to the beans, set the bowl aside, and was about to slip away to her room when a small carton of ice cream appeared in front of her.

A calloused, masculine hand holding a tiny, cute cup of ice cream–the contrast was almost endearing.

She didn’t even check the flavor. Ice cream was ice cream. She couldn’t refuse, so she took it. They ended up sitting side by side on the large sofa.

She peeled off the lid and dug in with the little wooden spoon. It made a soft, creamy sound. The ice cream melted smoothly on her tongue, tasting faintly of tart yogurt.

Claudia smiled to herself. It had been so long since she’d had ice cream–this was actually her first time this year.

Right before Imogen took her away, someone had delivered a whole assortment of flavors to the farmhouse. They were probably still sitting in that freezer, untouched. No chance of getting those now.

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