The One He Dismissed Became The One He Died For novel Chapter 177

"Don't overthink it."

Claire sighed softly. As she crouched down, the neckline of her nightgown slipped lower, revealing even more of her porcelain skin.

It was dangerously distracting.

"Claire."

"Yeah?"

Staring at her through the screen, Miles desperately wanted to ask what her true intentions were.

Was her comment about 'taking it one step at a time, and walking away if it doesn't work out' just a casual remark, or did she genuinely not care? Was she fully prepared to cut ties and leave him at any moment?

The words sat right on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed them down.

He rubbed his temples. "It's nothing. Get some sleep, and make sure the windows are closed. The rain is heavy."

Claire looked at the screen suspiciously. "You're acting a bit strange today."

"Just tired."

"Alright." Claire didn't press further. She leaned close to the camera again, the plunging neckline revealing a highly seductive glimpse of cleavage.

"Goodnight, Dr. Zimmerman."

The man's breathing turned heavy.

The next second, the video call ended.

In the pitch-black room, Miles set his phone down, his eyes murky with unresolved tension.

-

At the private cafe below Sterling Holdings.

Jefferson stared at Yvonne, his tone blunt. "Our engagement is over."

Yvonne looked up, completely utterly floored. "Over? What do you mean 'over'?"

She hated him for abandoning her, so she found someone with even more power and status just to prove a point to him.

Which meant that as long as he humbled himself and chased her, Claire would definitely come running back.

Yvonne ground her teeth as she watched Jefferson's resolute expression. But she was a Zimmerman; she wasn't about to beg a man to stay with her.

Her voice dropped to a freezing temperature. "Fine. We're done. But the Zimmerman Group Silver Jubilee Gala is the day after tomorrow. Given the timing, you have to attend with me. We play this out until the very end."

"Fine." Jefferson agreed easily, stood up, and walked out of the cafe.

Yvonne glared at his retreating, indifferent back. She gripped her phone so hard her knuckles turned white, her fury lacking an outlet.

Claire. Always Claire!

A venomous glint slashed through her eyes. She tapped her screen and sent a message.

[I don't care how you do it. Make sure Claire ends up at the Zimmerman Group Gala.]