The One He Dismissed Became The One He Died For novel Chapter 157

Claire stood rooted to the spot, a thin layer of nervous sweat forming on her palms.

Up on the second-floor balcony, his figure had already retreated into the VIP lounge.

She chewed on her lip, her stomach tied in knots. She needed to go upstairs and explain herself.

"Are you sure you're okay, Claire?" Julian asked tentatively.

"I'm fine. You go ahead and check out the gallery. I'll catch up with you later."

The light in Julian's clear eyes dimmed slightly.

Claire took a deep breath and started walking toward the staircase.

"Claire Jenner?"

A voice dripping with superiority stopped her in her tracks.

Yvonne Zimmerman, dressed in a custom silk gown, a brand-new Hermès bag dangling from her arm, strode over on her high heels. She stopped gracefully in front of Claire, exuding absolute arrogance.

"I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. I didn't expect someone like you to get an invitation to an elite business auction."

She said this while casting a sidelong glance at Julian, a nasty smirk playing on her lips.

"Designer Jenner sure knows how to network."

Claire had zero energy to entertain a battle of wits. Her eyes were glued to the window of the VIP room on the second floor.

From this angle, all she could see was an arm resting on the sill. The rosary on his wrist gleamed softly in the ambient light as he raised a teacup and slowly set it back down.

Seeing Claire ignore her, Yvonne purposely raised her voice, layering it with mock pity.

"Claire, your family went bankrupt, and your father is in prison. But since we used to be colleagues, if you spot a piece you really want tonight but can't afford, I'll happily buy it for you."

"The organizer tonight, Mr. Whittaker, just secured hundreds of millions of dollars in investment from my family. I have enough sway to get you a little trinket."

Hearing this, the surrounding attendees instantly began brown-nosing.

"So the Zimmerman family is funding the West District redevelopment!"

"Does that mean Ms. Zimmerman can basically walk away with whatever she wants tonight?"

"Looks like Mr. Whittaker is going to be bending over backward for her."

Yvonne kept her expression neutral, but her chin tilted up in haughty triumph.

Claire frowned, looked down at her phone, and fired off a text to Miles.

[Your niece is down here bullying me, and you're just sitting up there sipping tea and enjoying the show.]

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