Sweet Flash Marriage with the Restrained Tycoon (Isabelle and Damien) novel Chapter 757

Chapter 757 Paying Respects

Chapter 757 Paying Respects

+5 Free Coms

Claudia noticed the man’s slight shift in posture. Instinctively, she stepped closer to Harold, slipped her hand into his, and gently tugged him back–as if afraid he might lash out.

Not that she could actually move him. Harold simply allowed it, taking a casual step backward.

The man glanced down at their joined hands but stayed silent.

“Claudia…” Jaden shuffled forward on his knees, his voice choked. “Claudia, I screwed up… I’ve got nowhere left to go now, I swear…”

All of the Bowmans‘ assets had been frozen by court order. Jaden was truly homeless.

“Why waste your breath on him?” Harold’s tone was ice–cold.

Claudia tightened her grip on his hand, unconsciously shifting so she was slightly in front of him. “Harold…” she whispered.

Harold’s eyes deepened. He closed his fingers firmly around hers, holding her hand securely.

Only then did Claudia realize how her actions must look. She tried to pull away, but his grip was unyielding, so she stilled, letting him keep her hand there.

Harold didn’t comment. Holding hands like this… it felt surprisingly right. And it seemed to give Claudia a quiet sense of steadiness.

They stood together in the shade of the porch, while Jaden remained kneeling under the relentless sun, sweat soaking through his shirt.

“Claudia…” Jaden’s knees burned against the scorching pavement. He felt like he was being roasted alive.

“Get up,” Claudia said.

Stiffly, Jaden pushed himself to his feet, wincing as he put weight on his sore knees. His throat was parched. He risked a glance at Harold’s hardened expression and immediately looked away—he couldn’t bear to meet those eyes. Harold seemed almost dangerous.

Jaden spilled everything.

After the court seizure, there’d been one place left–an old row house in a run–down part of the city. That was where he’d been crashing.

Then Darrell’s men tracked him down.

Jaden called the cops, but the street cameras showed nothing. The officers basically told him there was nothing they could do.

Now he was too terrified to go back there, too scared to show his face on campus.

He felt like a cornered animal–hunted, with nowhere to hide.

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19:03 Sat, Jul 40

Chapter 757 Paying Respects

+5 Free Coms

Claudia lowered her gaze. Deep down, Jaden wasn’t evil–just a kid who’d been spoiled rotten by his parents. He had an attitude, sure, but he was still just a college freshman.

She looked up at Harold, silently asking what to do.

Harold met her eyes. There was a heat in his gaze, intense and searching, as if he could read her thoughts.

“I can help you,” he told Jaden.

Jaden blinked, wondering if he’d heard right. A flicker of hope lit in his tired, sunken eyes.

Harold’s voice remained even. “But you do exactly as I say.”

With no other options left, Jaden nodded desperately.

He was then told to wait under the gazebo in the yard–and not to step inside.

Once Jaden had shuffled away, Claudia tried to free her hand. Harold didn’t let go.

“Let’s pay our respects to your grandfather,” he said quietly. Still holding her hand, he led her to Graham’s portrait on the mantel. He lit six sticks of sandalwood incense and handed three to Claudia.

She accepted them. Together, they bowed in silence.

Harold placed his incense in the holder first, then took Claudia’s and arranged them beside his own.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me?” he asked, his tone casual, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

This was the man fate had practically handed to her.

Claudia had no words for his sudden question.

A faint smile touched Harold’s lips before he turned and headed upstairs. Claudia followed.

The entire second floor was designed as a single spacious suite. The decor was clean and minimalist, done in warm natural wood tones–much like the girl herself, quiet and grounded.

Harold settled onto the soft sage–green sofa, answering a call that had just come through.

Claudia glanced at him, then walked into the adjoining study to begin packing.

This room was her sanctuary. One wall was covered with a large felt board, pinned with sheets of her calligraphy practice–elegant, flowing scripts–alongside a few pieces of her own ink–and–wash style artwork.

She picked up a cardboard box from the corner. Inside her laundry basket stood a long, flat package, already wrapped in brown paper. She carefully placed it into the box.

Next, she gathered a few well–used calligraphy workbooks, a handmade case holding her favorite brushes. and some other essential supplies before sealing the box shut.

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