Fated Marriage Spoiled by My Ice Billionaire novel Chapter 773

Chapter 773 Declining the Contract

He never brought up Harold’s name–just wanted to hear what she truly thought.

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Claudia hadn’t expected things to play out like this. She was actually being given a real choice. Did the Cross family truly hold her in such high regard?

“The first option would have been you, wouldn’t it?” Claudia said.

Damian and Isabelle exchanged a glance. They hadn’t anticipated she’d catch on so quickly.

“Yes,” Harvey replied.

“No matter who I choose, you’ll honor that, right?” Claudia didn’t want the Cross family making trouble for her, and she didn’t want to put Harold in a difficult position either.

But from what she could tell, the Crosses didn’t seem like the type to act unreasonably.

At this point, if she stamped any name on that marriage contract, they wouldn’t go back on their word.

“Yes,” Harvey answered.

Damian stayed silent. Even if she chose neither of his sons, he would still respect Claudia’s decision.

Claudia glanced toward Isabelle. In her fifties, with three children, Isabelle’s face showed little trace of time -which told Claudia the men in this family probably weren’t the worst sorts.

But she already had Harold. Harold had a child, too. If she walked away from him now, he’d be devastated -left as a twice–divorced man.

Chelsea once mentioned he had a temper. After something like this, he might never find anyone else.

And she’d been with Harold for several months now. He truly had treated her well.

“I’ll leave the marriage contract here.”

That was her way of saying she was backing out.

Claudia turned to Harvey. “If the Bowman family really helped you all back in the day, I doubt they expected anything in return. You don’t need to carry that obligation forever.”

She then looked at Isabelle, thinking one woman might understand another better. “I’m already married. My husband treats me very well. We have a child together.”

Harvey hadn’t expected her to say all that. It was clear Claudia genuinely cared about Harold.

And Harold had actually told her about the kid–he wasn’t afraid she might leave over it.

And Claudia was okay with it.

Upstairs on the landing, Zander tried to dash down, but the nanny caught him gently and pulled him back

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Chapter 773 Declining the Contract

+5 Free Coms

“Shh, sweetie. The adults are talking. We don’t interrupt, or they might get upset,” the nanny whispered.

Zander obeyed and peeked from around the corner, watching the scene below.

“Is that my mommy?”

He’d seen Claudia’s photo on Harold’s phone. Harold told him that was his mom.

“Yes, that’s your mommy,” the nanny said softly. “You have to be on your best behavior, or Mommy might feel sad.”

“I will be good,” Zander murmured in his small voice.

When Claudia left, Harvey walked her to the door.

“Sorry for taking up your time,” Claudia said, pausing. Then she added, “You deserve someone better.”

Harvey’s expression remained composed. “Don’t worry about it. There’s someone I’m interested in, too.”

Claudia let out a quiet breath and nodded.

Harvey was handsome–Graham had good taste–and he carried himself with a gentle grace.

Throughout this whole exchange, he’d shown Claudia nothing but respect, never once overstepping or acting entitled.

If she’d found that marriage contract earlier, she might have ended up with Harvey by now.

Maybe the person she called from the hospital that day wouldn’t have been Harold–it would’ve been Harvey.

Claudia drove off.

Harvey stood at the doorway, watching her car disappear down the street. A faint shadow of disappointment lingered in his eyes.

Claudia had grown into an elegant, poised woman. They would have made a good match.

But today she came to formally decline the arrangement.

Now, she was his sister–in–law.

“Hey.” Harold’s voice came from behind Harvey.

He had just stepped out of the car, his boots still dusted with damp soil, his camouflage fatigues nearly soaked through.D

“She just left,” Harvey said.

Harold wanted to ask what happened, but part of him didn’t want to hear it just yet. Whatever the answer was, it put him in an awkward position.

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Chapter 773 Declining the Contract

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Harvey patted him on the shoulder and offered a small smile. “Take good care of her.”

Harold understood.

Isabelle and Damian were talking quietly as Harvey and Harold walked back inside.

Damian looked at Harold. He used to worry Harold would never settle down–now it seemed/Harvey was the one to be concerned about.

Harvey was steady, sharp in business, but when it came to women, he showed little interest.

He treated everyone like they were just another deal to close.

“Did you get your leave approved?” Damian asked.

Harold changed his shoes and walked over, keeping a slight distance–still sweaty from the day, he didn’t want to sit too close.

“Yeah, it’s approved.”

Damian grumbled, “Another remarkable woman ended up with someone who doesn’t know how lucky he is.”

Harvey glanced toward Harold, who simply shrugged helplessly.

“Tomorrow’s the Westperch Group anniversary dinner. Your mother and I aren’t attending. Which one of you is going?” Damian said.

Harvey replied, “I’ve got a conference downtown tomorrow. Can’t make it.”

Damian shot Harold a look. “Then you go. And while you’re at it, take that marriage contract to the clerk’s office and have it properly filed. Just because you have the document doesn’t mean you skip the formalities.”

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