Fated Marriage Spoiled by My Ice Billionaire novel Chapter 772

Chapter 772 Cross Manor

When Claudia arrived at Cross Manor, it was Harvey who came out to meet her.

For a moment, they both just stood there, staring at each other.

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Claudia felt her heart suddenly racing. An unexpected wave of sadness washed over her–she couldn’t explain why, but her chest tightened.

To make things stranger, the man in front of her slightly reminded her of Harold, though not exactly. She had this nagging feeling she’d seen him somewhere before.

There were plenty of people with the last name Cross living in Nevaske City. It couldn’t just be a coincidence, could it?

A hazy memory flickered through her mind–something about being in a dark place, with two large figures shielding her.

Her head throbbed briefly, then the feeling faded.

“Hi,” she finally said. “I’m here to see Louis.”

“Come with me,” Harvey replied, his eyes lingering on her a moment longer before he turned to lead the way inside.

Claudia followed him, glancing around the property. Something about the place felt familiar, as if she’d been here before.

The ginkgo tree in the yard was heavy with clusters of golden berries.

Before she could think any more about it, a black–and–tan Doberman came darting from behind the tree.

The dog was wearing a little black vest and a light blue bow tie around its neck–exactly like the one in Harold’s WhatsApp profile picture.

It ran straight toward Claudia and jumped up against her.

“Ah!”

Harvey, walking ahead, didn’t have time to react. Claudia stumbled back and fell, the box in her hands flying to the side.

“Hey–knock it off, buddy! Sit!” Harvey called out firmly,

The Doberman whined softly but obediently moved aside and sat down.

Harvey reached out, helped Claudia up, then picked up the box from the ground. It was the same kind of box he’d once given Harold.

His expression grew more serious.

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Chapter 772 Cross Manor

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Claudia looked at the dog, now perfectly behaved, and caught a hint of something almost like sadness in its eyes.

“I’m sorry–he’s not usually like this,” Harvey said, brushing a bit of dirt off her sleeve and plucking a ginkgo leaf from her hair.

Claudia kept watching the Doberman until the housekeeper came out and gently led him away.

Harvey studied her, still standing there motionless. “Did he scare you?”

She shook her head. “No, it’s just… it felt like he knew me.”

Harvey didn’t respond.

That Doberman was born from an older dog that had once belonged to the original owner of this house) He was eight now. And this house–it used to be Claudia’s home.

After Claudia’s parents were gone, the property had been sold. Damian later bought it back and renovated it.

Much of it had been kept the same. No wonder it felt familiar.

Harvey didn’t bring any of that up. From what Damian had told him, the memories she’d lost were likely the painful ones. It was better not to remind her.

They continued across the yard, and by the time they reached the door, Isabelle and Damian were already waiting.

“There you are,” Isabelle said warmly, stepping forward to take both of Claudia’s hands.

Claudia felt a flutter of nervousness. Isabelle’s kindness was so immediate, so genuine.

“Hello,” she replied softly.

Damian stood to the side, smiling. “We were actually planning to come see you first. Didn’t expect you to beat us to it.”

“Are you Mr. Cross? Damian?” she asked, recognizing the voice from their phone call.

“That’s me,” he answered, his smile gentle.

It had been years since he’d last seen Claudia in person.

He used to visit her at school from time to time, but she never stayed long in one place–one year she’d even gone up into the mountains with Graham, making it hard to keep in touch.

Claudia looked from Damian to Isabelle. There was something in their faces that reminded her of Harold.

Could Harold be part of this family?

“Come on inside,” Isabelle said, still holding her hand, and guided her to the living room couch.

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Chapter 772 Cross Manor

Harvey set the box down on the coffee table, then took a seat across from them next to Damian.

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“I came because there’s something I needed to discuss,” Claudia began. She’d never been great with small talk, so she figured it was best to get straight to the point.

Damian glanced at Harvey. They both had a feeling what this was about–they just didn’t know how she was going to say it.

“Go ahead,” Damian said kindly.

Claudia noticed the look between the two men, and her suspicion grew.

She opened the box on the table. She hadn’t touched anything inside–she’d brought it all exactly as it had been given to her.

Truthfully, she hadn’t even wanted to come at first, especially since she’d already officially registered her marriage to Harold. But Graham would never have let her enter into a one–sided arrangement—if there was a marriage contract, it had to be legitimate, and the terms surely wouldn’t be unfair.

And from what she could see, they really weren’t.

Which was exactly why she felt she had to speak up. If there really was someone out there waiting for her because of this old agreement, she couldn’t just leave him hanging.

“I’m sorry we’re meeting under these circumstances,” Claudia said quietly. “My grandfather passed away not long ago. These were among the things he left behind. I thought it was right to return them to you.”

Damian looked at the box and understood immediately. She was declining what the Cross family had

offered.

Claudia turned to Harvey. “This marriage agreement doesn’t list a full name–only a last name.”

Harvey met her gaze steadily. “My grandfather and yours made that promise years ago. There are two brothers here at the Cross home. I’m one of them. My brother isn’t back yet. The Bowman family did ours a great favor a long time ago. Only putting the last name meant that when you were ready to marry, you could choose either one of us, if you wished.”

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