Fated Marriage Spoiled by My Ice Billionaire novel Chapter 780

19:08 Sat, Jul 4 0

Chapter 780 I Am Ludi

Chapter 780 I Am Ludi

“I’m Ludi,” Claudia replied, her voice stuffy and nasal from congestion.

He froze for a few moments.

+5 Free Coms

Looking up at him, she reached into her bag, pulled out the key to the townhouse, and handed it over

For a second, Darren was at a loss for words.

Claudia offered a small smile. “Just go take a look first.”

He took the key, still somewhat skeptical, nodded and said, “Okay.” Then he added, “When did you want to go pick up those clothes you mentioned the other day?”

Claudia glanced toward Zander, who was busy picking flowers on the balcony.

Zander plucked a yellow ranunculus and hurried over to her, carefully placing it on her desk where severa other ranunculuses–in different colors–were already arranged.

He’d been picking them for her all afternoon.

Claudia figured Harold would be back in a couple of days. If she waited until after the wedding photos and the ceremony to give him the clothes, summer would be over–and they’d be way too warm for the weather.

“How about tonight? Are you free?” she asked.

Darren nodded. “Tonight works.”

“Mommy, where are we going?” Zander chimed in.

Claudia wasn’t sure how to explain. “I’m taking you to get something yummy,” she told him.

She spent the rest of the afternoon at Southhall Compound. They had dinner in the staff cafeteria, and once they finished, Darren carried Zander toward the back parking lot.

“Mommy, hurry up!” Zander called back to Claudia.

She and Nora followed a few steps behind.

Just then, Harold was wrapping up a meeting and stepping out of a private conference room.

He could’ve sworn he heard Zander’s voice again.

He grabbed his phone and quickened his pace toward the entrance.

Later that night, past ten, he was talking with Spencer when a photo from Lowell came through.

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Chapter 780 I Am Ludi

It showed Claudia inside a men’s boutique with Darren, browsing through clothes.

Zander wasn’t in the shot–Nora had taken him to play the claw machines near the mall.

Harold stared at the picture, his brow furrowing into a deep frown.

It seemed she was at ease with every guy except him.

Darrell, Nolan, Darren…

Anyone but Harold.

Spencer noticed him zoning out and leaned in to look, but Harold turned the screen off.

“You catch what I just said?”

“Say it again,” Harold replied, pressing his lips together.

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Spencer let out a short, sarcastic laugh. “Lucas was right. You’re totally useless when it comes to women.”

He’d clearly caught a glimpse of the photo on Harold’s screen.

He went on, “The security guard on duty last night mentioned a girl brought in a little boy running a fever. Looked about three or four. Probably Zander.”

Harold’s expression tightened. “And?”

“The girl drove off with him down the back mountain road. I checked with the worker who pointed the way. They stopped at the village clinic for a massage, then left that same night.”

Harold pulled out his phone and opened the location Claudia had sent him the previous night. “This spot?”

“Yeah, that’s the one.”

A faint smile touched Harold’s lips. He turned and headed toward his car. “No need to keep looking. I found him.”

“Huh?” Spencer watched him hurry off, completely confused.

Claudia had taken her fever medicine and drifted off to sleep in bed, a cooling patch on her forehead just like Zander’s.

Zander, though, was full of energy, wriggling around beside her.

At one point, he picked up Claudia’s phone, pressed her thumb to unlock it, then moved aside and opened her messaging app. He found the familiar profile picture–a Doberman in a suit–and tapped the video

call button.

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Chapter 780 I Am Ludi

Harold had just gotten into his car when Claudia’s video call came through.

That was a first—she never video–called him.

He straightened his collar and answered.

+5 Free ComS

But it wasn’t Claudia he saw. Instead, Zander’s face filled the screen, a yellow rubber–duck cooling patch stuck to his forehead.

“Zander?” Harold let out a quiet breath of relief.

So she had picked Zander up after all.

“Daddy! Daddy!” Zander exclaimed, keeping his voice to an excited whisper.

“Where are you, buddy?” Harold recognized the bedroom setup behind him.

“I’m at Mommy’s. Mommy’s sick. Daddy, when are you coming home?”

“I’m on my way. Show me your mom,” Harold said, guiding him to turn the camera.

When the view shifted, he saw Claudia lying asleep in a thin white camisole nightgown.

A cooling patch rested on her forehead, and the hem of her gown had ridden up to her thighs…

Harold’s gaze darkened. He started the engine and drove straight for Serene Manor.

Claudia was deep in sleep. Zander snuggled on top of her, and she instinctively reached out to pat his back.

But Zander wasn’t tired–his fever had broken, and he kept shifting beside her.

At some point, a warm sensation spread across her forehead.

Claudia turned her face away, murmuring, “No kisses, sweetie… you’ll catch it.”

Zander giggled softly. “Wasn’t me! It was Daddy!”

She mumbled again, half–asleep, “Daddy has to wait till I’m better too…”

Out of habit, she reached out an arm and wrapped it around something—an arm that felt both firm and surprisingly gentle.

Claudia’s nerves snapped awake. Her eyes flew open to find Harold sitting on the edge of the bed, her hand resting on his forearm.

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