Sweet Flash Marriage with the Restrained Tycoon (Isabelle and Damien) novel Chapter 743

Chapter 743 A Conversation With Darrell

It was past two in the afternoon by the time they finished lunch.

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Claudia dropped Chelsea off first so she could rest and shake off the jet lag, then drove Katrina/back to her studio.

After that, she decided to swing by her place at Moonhaven to pick up some books and feed the koi inthe pond.

Lately, she’d been feeling like Serene Manor was little more than a spot to sleep–nothing personal, no even a houseplant. Aside from being impeccably tidy, it hardly felt lived in.

Her eyes had been bothering her all day. She’d worn contacts to pick up her friend earlier, and now they were starting to irritate her again.

She took them out and called for a rideshare.

After having the driver take her car back to Serene Manor, she hailed a cab to Moonhaven.

The late August heat was brutal.

Standing under a tree near the Serene Manor gate, waiting for her ride, she felt like she was baking next to an open flame–as if someone might sprinkle seasoning on her any minute.

Five long minutes passed before a car finally pulled up.

She didn’t pay much attention to the make, but she did notice the vanity plate: 666. She opened the passenger door and slipped inside.

After buckling up, she adjusted the A/C vents, letting the cool air wash over her. Finally, she thought.

But then she realized the car wasn’t moving.

She glanced at the driver. The driver glanced back.

Her heart dropped. Through the rearview mirror, she spotted a man in the backseat holding a tablet, its glow casting light upward under his chin and sharpening his features.

Just then, her phone rang–the cab driver, asking where she was.

Claudia quickly tried to open the door, but it was locked.

She swallowed hard. Her phone continued blaring with angry shouts until the call abruptly cut out.

“Talk?” Darrell’s expression gave nothing away.

But Claudia thought she caught a flicker of something softer in his eyes.

Knowing she wasn’t getting out of this, she finally nodded. “Okay.”

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19:00 Sat, Jul 4 #

Chapter 743 A Conversation With Darrell

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Darrell watched her relax slightly, then glanced into the mirror. The driver took the hint and stepped out before Darrell moved into the driver’s seat.

The car fell into a heavy silence. Claudia could feel her nerves tightening, stretched thin by the tension.

Two months ago, this man had done nothing but show her kindness. He was always sending over food or drinks when she was working in the yard. Back then, still inexperienced in love, she’d almost believed it was the real thing.

After Graham left, Darrell had been the only one who made her feel at ease. Being around him was comfortable.

He always seemed to know how to connect with her, keeping their conversations light and pleasant.

Knowing Claudia was reserved, he’d been careful with her feelings, never overstepping–something she’d always appreciated about him.

But now everything felt different.

If she hadn’t seen that video, and if Darrell had simply told her Joyce was an ex and it was all in the past, she might have actually considered giving him a chance.

But after what she saw, it was like trying to smooth out a crumpled piece of paper–the creases never really disappear, always leaving a shadow behind.

“Didn’t want to marry me?” Darrell asked quietly, his eyes fixed on the traffic ahead rather than on her.

Claudia shook her head. “No.”

“Is there… some misunderstanding between us?” He sounded like he truly wanted to know why she’d left the wedding.

“Did you have anything to do with Edgar locking me up?” Claudia asked bluntly.

Darrell’s hands tightened slightly around the steering wheel, tendons standing out along his long fingers. The leather cover gave a faint creak under his grip.

He frowned, his gaze hardening. “No.”

Claudia believed him. So she pressed on with her next question. “Joyce was your friends–with–benefits, wasn’t she?”

At first, she’d assumed Joyce was an ex–girlfriend. But with their family businesses so closely tied–the Davidsons having been lifted up by the Bradys–it never quite added up.

Darrell had never publicly acknowledged Joyce or given her any real status, anytime, anywhere. In fact, he’d kept it all surprisingly quiet.

That was what made Claudia sure there was more to their relationship.

Darrell stayed silent.

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