Fated Marriage Spoiled by My Ice Billionaire novel Chapter 878

Chapter 878 A Real Cut

Chapter 878 A Real Cut

+35 Free Cobi

“Why couldn’t he just tell me himself?” Dolores said, feeling a heavy sense of guilt toward him. “Why go through you?”

“Well, you blocked his number and bit him last time,” Henrietta replied bluntly. “He’s worried/people might think he’s harassing you, so he didn’t feel right reaching out directly. He said your reputation matters more than anything.”

Dolores fell silent, the guilt weighing even heavier on her.

“Besides,” Claudia added gently, “the people who care about your well–being the most are your parents. If they don’t approve of him, maybe there’s a reason. You should keep your eyes open.”

Dolores didn’t know how to respond to that.

“Who’s Jessica?” Claudia asked after a moment.

–“A friend from college. Her family’s pretty well–off–the three of us used to hang out all the time.” Dolores shook her head slowly. It never crossed her mind that she’d have to watch out for someone she considered a close friend.

“Sounds like she did you a favor by exposing the truth,” Henrietta remarked dryly while motioning for Dolores to eat. “Consider that tumor removed. Let her keep him.”

Claudia couldn’t help but laugh, and after a second, Dolores cracked a smile too.

“But I don’t want to just let it go,” Dolores insisted, her tone firming. She wasn’t ready to walk away quietly -she wanted Carson to face consequences.

Henrietta was in the middle of chewing a piece of steak and raised a finger, asking for a moment. Once she swallowed, she leaned in. “Already figured it out. Give me a sec.”

The three of them huddled closer together.

Henrietta laid out the plan in a hushed voice. As she spoke, Dolores‘ eyes gradually lit up.

“How did you even come up with that? That’s seriously mean,” Dolores said, laughing in spite of herself.

Henrietta raised her eyebrows proudly. “Told you I’m good.“/

Claudia watched Dolores, her mind drifting back to her own past–the day she fled her wedding, falling down those stairs in panic.

Back then, she hadn’t had anyone to turn to. In a moment of sheer desperation, she’d called Harold, who was practically a stranger at the time.

Now, seeing her friend face something similarly painful, Claudia felt a deep wave of emotion. She was grateful, at least, that Dolores wasn’t alone–that she had people looking out for her.

By the time they left the mall, Dolores seemed noticeably lighter. She carried the shopping bags Henrietta

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18:55 Mon, Jul 6

Chapter 878 A Real Cut

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had bought using Harvey’s card, her hands full and her heart still heavy, but no longer drowning.

She drove home alone.

Before parting, Claudia quietly asked Roger to keep an eye on Dolores over the next few days–worried she might do something impulsive, or that she might need help and have no one around.

Henrietta nodded in agreement.

Back at Serene Manor, Claudia handed the car keys to Henrietta. “Drive safe,” she reminded her.

Then she began lifting her shopping bags from the trunk.

Henrietta closed the trunk and was about to head off when she paused. “Hey Claudia, did you lose an earring?”

Claudia had worn a set of dangling earrings that morning. Now only one remained.

She touched her earlobe absently.

The two of them searched the car for a while but came up empty.

“Maybe it came off while you were trying on clothes?” Henrietta suggested, glancing at the lone earring.

Claudia shrugged. “It’s fine. If it’s gone, it’s gone. Wasn’t expensive anyway. I’m heading up!”

She grabbed her things and made her way upstairs.

Once in the car, Henrietta called Harvey. He must have received the purchase alerts on his phone by now. She needed to feel out whether she should come over now or let a couple of days pass.

Hearing how calm and composed he sounded over the phone, her nervousness finally eased.

“Harvey’s being unusually generous this time,” she mused to herself. “Spent all that and he’s not even mad.”

Normally, he’d find some way to make her pay him back, one way or another.

*****

Upstairs, Claudia could hear Zander laughing and joking out on the balcony.

She slipped off her shoes and walked inside. The study light was on, and soft rustling sounds came from within.

“Mrs. Cross,” Megan greeted her quietly.

Claudia placed a finger to her lips and tiptoed in.

Harold was carving what looked like a personal wax seal. He wore protective glasses and held the engraving tool with careful concentration.

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18:55 Mon, Jul 6

Chapter 878 A Real Cut

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“Ouch-”

He blew on his finger, pulled a tissue from the box, and wrapped it around the tip.

Claudia leaned against the doorframe. “Really? That act again?”

She walked over.

Harold finally looked up, a faint smile on his face. “Perfect timing.”

“Or I’d have missed the poor performance,” she teased, leaning against the desk and taking his hand. “You’re not even convincing. And wasting tissues…”

She unwrapped the tissue and saw a small cut on his fingertip, blood already beading along the slice,

Immediately, she pressed down on it.

“How could you be so careless…”

Harold simply watched her, amused by her worried expression.

Claudia went to fetch the first-aid kit from the bathroom.

“You’re still laughing!” she scolded lightly.

She cleaned the cut–it was minor–stopped the bleeding, and wrapped it neatly with a small bandage.

“You know, I don’t actually need more seals. I could order one online anytime. Why go through the trouble of making one yourself?”

Harold’s expression softened. “It’s different when it’s made by me. Every time you use it, you’ll think of me. And for the record, I really did cut myself. That part wasn’t an act.”

Claudia met his eyes, then quietly put the first–aid kit away.

Harold opened a velvet–lined box containing a set of beautifully crafted seals, each representing different seasonal motifs.

“Take a look,” he said. “Do you like them?”

Claudia set the kit aside and examined the meticulously arranged seals. They were carved from carefully selected stone–each one must have taken hours of work. She had no idea how long he’d practiced to develop such skill.

“They’re beautiful,” she said softly, her earlier annoyance melting into something warmer.

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