No Divorce? The Billionaire's Love Chase! novel Chapter 597

Claudia turned with the rest of the crowd toward the voice. The lively atmosphere quickly died down.

Ann stood a short distance away. She was tall, wearing a beige coat, her straight, waist-length hair tucked neatly behind her ears. Her features, ordinary before any cosmetic surgery, looked quite delicate with the help of makeup.

As a former dancer, she already had an inherent grace, which now seemed softer, more gentle.

Her look was full of affection for York, yet tinged with a subtle vulnerability that could easily awaken a man’s protective instincts.

Forget men—if Claudia didn’t know her better, she might have felt a pang of pity herself.

As Ann walked step by step toward York, Claudia subtly took two steps back, putting some distance between them.

Confused murmurs spread through the crowd.

"Who is that woman? She said Mr. Ferguson’s name so intimately."

"Look at the way she’s looking at him. There’s definitely something between them."

"Is she here to crash the party?"

"Looks more like she’s here to steal the groom."

"Mr. Ferguson sure keeps his secrets well. We hang out with him all the time and had no idea there was anyone else besides Claudia."

...

The gossip continued, growing more and more outrageous.

Wendy stood beside Claudia's parents, her face grim. Peter moved behind York and whispered, "York, why is this woman here?"

York’s gaze slowly settled on Claudia.

His lips were pressed into a thin line, and he said nothing, just stared at her.

York’s sharp gaze sent a chill down Claudia's spine.

Ann’s hands were left hanging in mid-air. She stared at York in disbelief and burst into tears.

"York," she said, her voice thick with hurt, "we were in love. What is the meaning of this?"

A collective gasp went through the crowd at Ann's words.

Darleen rushed forward and shoved Ann away from her brother. "So you’re the woman who made my brother fight with my parents!"

Darleen raised her hand to slap her, but Peter was quick enough to grab her arm and stop her.

Seeing York stand there coldly, with no reaction to her being bullied, Ann began to cry even more heartbrokenly.

She looked at York pitifully. "York, there’s something I need to say to you in private. Can you come outside with me for a moment?"

Claudia had to give Ann credit. She was good. With just one sentence, she had broadcasted the special nature of her relationship with York.