Fated Marriage Spoiled by My Ice Billionaire novel Chapter 760

Chapter 760 The Book of Solace

“Pfft, thought you ran into some hotshot or something. Not exactly impressive.”

They walked off before Claudia could catch the rest.

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She reached the dean’s office door, where a man in a black suit stood leaning against the wall/beside the entrance. He looked to be in his mid–thirties, watching her approach with an utterly blank expression.

“Hi, I’m here to see Timothy Jensen,” Claudia said.

The man shifted slightly to the side. “Same.”

She offered a polite nod, which he returned.

Claudia took a steadying breath and knocked three times.

A moment later, the door eased open. A rush of cold air from the AC hit her, sending a slight shiver down her spine.

“Good afternoon, are you Ms. Bowman?” A secretary in a crisp pantsuit held the door open.

Claudia had made an appointment ahead of time.

“Yes, that’s me.”

Inside, a man about to sip from his cup paused, his long fingers tightening almost imperceptibly around the porcelain. A faint, quiet sound–almost a laugh–escaped him.

“Please, come in.”

As Claudia entered, she spotted Randall lounging on the leather couch, Timothy seated opposite him— shorter, stockier, leaning forward with interest.

Randall had one leg crossed over the other, hands resting lightly in his lap. He was settled back against the cushions, his gaze fixed on her without blinking.

He looked different from that morning–now wearing a tie, far more put together.

It didn’t surprise her to see him here. He was probably the donor behind the school’s latest upgrades. With a niece like Robin running around, donating a building or two would be nothing.

“Mr. Jensen… Mr. Holcomb.” Since he was here, she acknowledged him. Ignoring him would’ve been rude.

Timothy sprang to his feet, his whole frame jiggling with the movement. “Well! So you’re Ludi, then?”

Claudia kept her smile polite but didn’t confirm the nickname. “I’m Claudia. I’ve brought the pieces we discussed.”

“Ms. Bowinan–of course, of course! Come, have a seat!”

BAY

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Chapter 760 The Book of Solace

Timothy stepped toward her, extending a hand as though to guide her by the arm.

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Claudia shifted the cardboard boxes she was carrying to her other side. Timothy’s hand landed on the box instead of her arm.

His expression didn’t falter; he played it off smoothly, as if it had been his intention all along.

“Thank you.” She stepped sideways and made her way toward the sitting area, taking a seat on the couch about an arm’s length from Randall.

Randall’s lips curved into a faint, almost invisible smile. He hadn’t missed a single move she’d made.

Ludi.

That name rang a bell. Like he’d heard it somewhere before.

“You two know each other, then?” Timothy asked, rinsing a fresh cup while watching Randall’s face.

“You could say that.”

Randall answered before Claudia could even open her mouth.

He took another slow sip of coffee, his smile lingering.

Claudia froze.

You could say that?

Since when?

That morning at Jaron’s studio, they’d acted like strangers. Now, just hours later, they were on familiar

terms?

Timothy’s expression shifted briefly before he smoothed it over and pushed the freshly poured cup toward Claudia.

If they really were that close, his earlier little “move” could land him in hot water if Randall decided to call him out on it.

Claudia glanced toward Randall. His eyes met hers directly.

Her cheeks warmed unexpectedly.

What was he doing?

Backing her up?

She was caught off guard. If this was because of Robin, it really wasn’t necessary. She didn’t like owing favors.

She knew exactly how these circles worked. She understood the games–and she had her own ways of

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Chapter 760 The Book of Solace

handling things.

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“Well, sounds like we’re all in good company here!” Timothy chuckled warmly as he finished pouring.

“Thank you,” Claudia said, accepting the cup.

“Close or not, I’ve never actually seen Ludi’s work up close,” Randall remarked lightly.

The “Ludi” Timothy had referred to–it had to be her, whether she admitted it or not.

Claudia kept her tone even. “Why don’t we take a look at the pieces, then?”

She wanted to wrap this up sooner rather than later.

Timothy couldn’t exactly refuse, so he rose with enthusiasm. “Yes, let’s have a proper look!”

He’d been hoping to stretch the conversation, maybe even invite them both to dinner later. Business talk always flowed better over a meal.

Timothy’s office was spacious. Beyond the large desk and floor–to–ceiling bookshelves, there was a small lounge area and an open space he used as a study.

Claudia knew the layout well. She moved toward the wide desk, and Timothy quickly cleared away a stack of books to give her room.

She took out a utility knife, sliced through the tape on the boxes, and carefully lifted out the replica of Book of Solace.

Not wanting to get too close to Timothy–with his broad face and eager expression–she turned instead to Randall.

“Mr. Holcomb, could you give me a hand with this?”

Randall’s smile deepened. “I’d be glad to.”

So Randall took one end of the long scroll, and Claudia carefully unrolled the other, their movements coordinated and slow.

As the scroll revealed itself, both men’s faces shifted to pure, unfeigned astonishment.

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