Fated Marriage Spoiled by My Ice Billionaire novel Chapter 879

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18:55 Mon, Jul 6

Chapter 879 First Watch

Chapter 879 First Watch

“I like them,” Claudia replied.

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Engraving seals was time–consuming and strained the eyes–one wrong move could ruin a perfectly good piece of gem.

“Glad you like them.” Harold shifted the subject. “How did everything go today?”

“I was mostly there for support. Dolores knows the whole story now. She headed home afterward. I asked Roger to keep an eye on her.”

“Good. That’s handled well.”

A brief silence settled between them.

Claudia spoke up again, “I picked something up for you. Go wash your hands and I’ll show you.”

Harold’s gaze softened. “What is it?”

“Hands first—and be careful not to get that finger wet.” She carried the first–aid kit out with her.

He smiled and followed her lead. After washing up, he found her waiting in the bedroom.

Claudia had returned to hang her coat back in the walk–in closet.

As she opened the closet door, her eyes landed on a gift box tucked among some casually folded clothes.

The one Chelsea had given her.

She hadn’t touched it since she and Harold made their relationship official.

Now it seemed to catch her eye every time she changed.

“What did you get me?”

Harold stood at the entrance of the walk–in, noticing exactly where her attention had drifted. A faint smirk touched his lips.

Startled, Claudia quickly shut the closet door.

He let out a low, almost inaudible chuckle but didn’t comment further.

“I…” She briefly lost her train of thought.

Harold didn’t press her, simply watching her patiently.

‘s in the bedroom,” she murmured, lowering her head as she walked past him toward the room.

farold followed, still smiling.

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18:55 Mon, Jul 6 d

Chapter 879 First Watch

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He’d actually noticed the gift box earlier when he entered. He recognized the brand and had a good idea what was inside.

Claudia moved to the dresser. Harold took a seat on the sofa, observing as she carefully lifted a smaller box from the gift packaging.

“I… I bought you a watch,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Try it on.”

She opened the case and settled beside him.

Avoiding his eyes, she focused on his hand–her earlobes flushed a deep, vivid red.

Harold watched her closely as her soft fingers took his rough, work–worn hand and laid it gently in her lap. Then she lifted the watch from its case and fastened it carefully around his wrist.

The contrast between their hands was striking.

Hers were pale and smooth; his were tanned and calloused from years of labor.

The watch Claudia had chosen was simple and understated.

She hadn’t gone out intending to shop for him–today was about dealing with Dolores. Short on time and feeling self–conscious about taking too long to decide, she’d gone with a classic design.

No flashy details. Aside from the twelve indices and the hands, the dial bore only slender hour markers.

Even the strap was a straightforward black, nothing ornate or elaborate,

Claudia couldn’t help feeling she hadn’t put enough thought into it.

But as Henrietta had told her, you didn’t need a special occasion to give a gift–what mattered was the intention behind it.

She quietly promised herself she’d choose something more fitting next time, something truly worthy of Harold.

Harold turned his wrist slightly, examining the watch. Then, without shifting his posture, his eyes lifted from the timepiece to Claudia’s face.

Claudia studied his expression, worried he might not like it.

“Next time, I’ll pick something nicer—”

Before she could finish, Harold leaned in and brushed a kiss against the corner of her mouth.

Her breath hitched. She swallowed, her heart racing faster than it ever did when she was just nervous.

“This one is perfect,” Harold said softly. He didn’t know exactly what had happened during their day out, but he could feel Claudia gradually letting her guard down around him.

Her feelings for him were slowly shifting from something held in her eyes to something expressed in her

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Chapter 879 First Watch

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actions.

This watch wasn’t expensive, but to him, it was precious.

Henrietta had actually texted him earlier with a few photos–Claudia carefully selecting a gift, paying with her own card, no family money involved.

“Claudia’s picking something out for you. Didn’t use Harvey’s card–paid herself. Harold, she’s into you.”

When Harold saw that, he’d felt a quiet thrill. He’d been genuinely looking forward to whatever surprise she had for him.

For once, Henrietta had actually been useful.

She was usually all over the place, but when it counted, she came through.

Truth was, Henrietta just didn’t want Harold on her case again. Sometimes a little strategic goodwill saved you a scolding later.

She had a habit of leaving traces–even small things would update Harold now and then, which slowly reduced her chances of getting yelled at.

Under his steady gaze, Claudia felt a warm shyness spread through her. “Is it… impractical for work? Wearing a watch, I mean.”

He shook his head gently, still smiling. “No one’s ever given me one before. Buying it for yourself isn’t the same. But honestly, telling time–I can usually just check my phone or glance at a clock.”

“Oh… So a watch is kind of pointless for you?”

Harold’s smile deepened. “I used to think watches were just for telling time. Now I realize they can mean something else.”

Claudia looked at him curiously. “What else?”

He gave her cheek a light pinch. “You go ahead and shower. I’ll go check on Zander. When I come back, I’ll tell you.”

Claudia stood frozen for a moment, watching him rise and walk out–the watch now fastened around his | wrist.

From outside the door, Megan’s gentle voice floated in, “Mr. Cross, Zander’s already asleep. He’s been very good. He’s still little, though… maybe it’d be nice if he could sleep closer to you both sometimes.”

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