Fated Marriage Spoiled by My Ice Billionaire novel Chapter 746

Chapter 746 Family Reckoning

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“I invited you, and you wouldn’t come–yet here you are with Harold?” Jaron teased, a playful glint in his eyes. “What, am I not important enough to get you here on your own?”

Claudia smiled lightly. “This was meant to be a surprise visit. I just came for the food.”

“And what is Harold to you?” Jaron’s gaze lingered, observant and perceptive.

She wasn’t sure how to answer, but it felt like he could see right through her anyway.

The truth was, Claudia didn’t really know what Harold was thinking either. For now, their arrangement was quiet–no labels, no pressure, certainly no talk of divorce…

She didn’t dare define things first. She’d leave all that to Harold.

“You’ve got good taste,” Jaron remarked with a knowing smile before turning to mingle elsewhere.

Even someone like Jaron seemed to think highly of Harold–at the very least, he trusted his character. Whatever their relationship turned into, it probably wouldn’t end badly.

Shortly after Jaron moved away, Darren approached.

“Ms. Bowman, are you and Jaron close?” he asked casually.

“We’ve known each other a while,” she replied, then shifted the subject. “That calligraphy piece you mentioned the other day–aside from Jaron’s work, have you considered other artists? What about Ludi?”

Jaron had donated many of his notable pieces over the years to build his reputation, so acquiring one now wouldn’t be easy.

Darren thought for a moment. “Honestly, we’d prefer something by Ludi. But right now, we don’t even have her contact information. Her pieces command high prices, and the waiting list is long. Even if we reached out, it’d likely be too late for our timeline. Securing a work from Jaron at this point would already

be a win.”

“Let me handle it.” Claudia said.

The main hall at Southhall needed something reputable–hanging a mediocre piece would only cheapen the atmosphere.

“The unveiling event is set for Columbus Day. Ideally, we need the piece framed and installed by mid- September.”

“Understood.” Claudia made a mental note.

With that, they parted ways.

Darren didn’t press about Claudia and Harold’s relationship. If she wasn’t offering details, it clearly wasn’t his business to ask.

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19:01 Sat, Jul 4

Chapter 746 Family Reckoning

Claudia returned to the main hall, and Harold soon joined her.

“Full?” he asked.

“Yeah, I’m good.”

“Head home and get some rest. Remember to lock up,” he told her.

Claudia understood–he’d brought her here really just to eat.

She nodded and made her way toward the back courtyard exit.

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Harold walked beside her until they reached the elevator, then slipped out through the rear courtyard himself.

Claudia let out a quiet breath once alone.

The next morning, she called a rideshare to pick up her glasses.

Not long after leaving, as her car passed through an intersection, a white van sped out from the left and T- boned the passenger side where Claudia sat.

The airbags deployed instantly.

**

Early that same morning, Harold hurried back to Cross Villa.

Harvey was in the living room holding a sleeping three–year–old boy.

Damian was on the couch chatting with Isabelle, while Louis and Regina had also returned for the

occasion.

The moment Damian saw Harold walk in, his smile faded. “Almost thirty years old, and what kind of trouble have you gotten into now? You made me fly all the way back. This better be good.”

Damian and Isabelle had just returned from out of state with Harold’s son, Zander. He’d barely sorted that situation out, and now here was another.

Sometimes Harold wondered if he’d messed up badly in a past life, and the universe had sent Damian as his lifelong penance.

Zander was the son of Harold’s former comrade. His friend didn’t make it back, and the boy’s mother had passed away during childbirth.

Harold had been raising him quietly all these years, never bringing him home until now.

Now that he was out of the service, he decided it was time–Zander needed family around. He knew he’d catch heat for hiding it, but better to get it over with sooner so the boy could settle in properly. So he’d finally told Damian.

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Chapter 746 Family Reckoning

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Isabelle didn’t mind at all; she was delighted to have another child in the house. But Damian was livid.

His anger wasn’t about adding to the family–it was that Harold had waited so long to tell them. A child that young, living states away with only a nanny? How well could he really have been cared for?

And now Damian was braced for whatever else Harold had kept hidden.

Harold put on a wronged expression and turned to Louis. “Grandpa, can you talk some sense into your son?”

Louis chuckled. “When he was your age, I once thrashed him so badly he landed in the hospital. I suspect he’s still holding a grudge and wants to take it out on his own boy now. I’m afraid I can’t control him anymore.”

Harold and Harvey exchanged stunned looks.

Damian had been beaten like that?

Damian scowled. “Did you really have to bring that up?” It wasn’t exactly a proud family memory.

Isabelle smiled but stayed quiet. She gestured for the nanny to take Zander upstairs to rest.

Once everyone was seated in the living room, Louis rested both hands on his cane. “Alright, out with it. What’s going on?”

Harold glanced at Harvey, who looked back, confused–what did this have to do with him?

“I’ve added Claudy to the family registry,” Harold said, pulling a small certificate from his pocket and laying it gently on the table.

Claudy was Claudia’s childhood nickname.

“Well, that was bound to happen sooner or later. Better now than never,” Regina said warmly, picking up the document and looking it over. She’d been hoping for a granddaughter–in–law for a while.

Damian’s brow furrowed. You couldn’t just add someone to the family registry out of the blue–not without reason. There had to be more to this.

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