The One He Dismissed Became The One He Died For novel Chapter 226

The call ended, and Claire's phone screen faded to black.

Marmalade sat on the plush rug, tilting his head at her and letting out a soft "Meow."

Claire rubbed the little guy's head.

No matter how much they argued, Alistair was still Miles's father. Since they were legally married, she had to face his family eventually.

She got ready and took a cab to Zimmerman Manor.

The butler was already waiting at the entrance. "Ms. Jenner, Mr. Zimmerman is in the living room."

Not Mrs. Zimmerman. Not Madam. Just Ms. Jenner.

Claire didn't say a word and followed him inside.

Seeing her walk in, Alistair set down his teacup, his tone flat and unreadable.

"How have things been between you and Miles lately?"

"Everything is fine."

Alistair got straight to the point. "Miles is being childish. He abandons the massive empire of the Zimmerman Group just to play doctor, but his wife shouldn't be equally foolish."

He pulled a document from beneath the coffee table and slid it over to Claire.

An asset transfer agreement.

"As long as you convince him to return to the company, I will transfer the deed of a detached villa in the West End to your name, along with a 0.5% equity stake in the group."

The terms laid out in black and white were undeniably tempting.

She rested her fingertips on the folder and pushed it right back.

"Mr. Zimmerman, I believe I made myself perfectly clear in the study that day."

"Miles loves his career as a doctor, and I will never ask him to give up what he loves."

Seeing her stubborn refusal, Alistair flew into a rage.

"Claire Jenner, don't think too highly of yourself! I allowed you to step through the doors of the Zimmerman family, and I can just as easily throw you out!"

Before Claire could speak, a bright, gentle voice echoed from the hallway.

"Alistair, what happened? Why are you so angry?"

A woman walked in, wearing an elegant, tailored dress. She looked graceful and sophisticated, like a masterpiece stepped right out of a painting.

"Lauren, there's no need to sell yourself short. You're doing exceptionally well now."

He shot a deliberate look at Claire.

"Lauren, she studied fashion design just like you, and she went to the same university as Miles."

Just returned from abroad. Same university.

Catching those exact keywords, Claire's heart sank like a stone.

So the woman standing in front of her was Miles's unattainable ideal.

Her fingers curled slightly into her palms, but she kept her expression perfectly composed.

"Back in college, Miles spent countless hours sitting in on fashion design lectures just for Lauren. Even now, the study in this manor is still filled with design books."

Lauren smiled modestly. "Miles is brilliant. He excels at whatever he puts his mind to."

Claire's spine stiffened involuntarily.

Now it all made sense.

Why Miles had invested in the failing Crescent Moon Couture. Why he could converse so effortlessly with design professors. Why he had read industry works she hadn't even touched.