The One He Dismissed Became The One He Died For novel Chapter 29

Jefferson's dark, predatory gaze locked onto Claire.

Hearing her say 'Congratulations on your engagement' felt like a knife twisting in his ear.

He wasn't afraid of Claire finding out he was marrying someone else.

What infuriated him was her reaction.

There was no hysterical breakdown, no trembling lips, no teary eyes. She was so calm it seemed as if they truly were nothing more than a boss and an employee.

Did she really not care?

His little bird, whom he had kept for seven years, was finally showing her claws.

"Is the great designer struggling to survive? Are you so desperate you have to push Luna Atelier's trash at other people's engagement parties?"

Daisy Dalton, dressed in an extravagant designer gown, marched over with a mocking sneer and tossed the scarf box onto a nearby table.

Yvonne put on a perfectly calculated look of distress.

"Daisy, please don't say that. I specifically asked Claire to come and help."

"Claire, we can't seem to get this scarf tied right. I'm going to have to ask you, the professional, to help Mrs. Sterling with it."

Claire's expression remained perfectly flat. She nodded and picked up the box.

Refusing to back down, Daisy raised her voice.

"Yvonne, you are far too kind. If it were me, I would have thrown her and her cheap merchandise out the door immediately. Who knows what kind of sick agenda she has?"

Claire stopped in her tracks and looked back with a cool smile.

"Whatever my agenda is, it's far more dignified than you desperately sucking up to your former boss."

Her eyes slowly swept over Daisy's outfit.

"Fired from Sterling Holdings, yet you're still wearing your former employer's gown. You might not be humiliated, but I'm embarrassed just looking at you."

The guests around them began to cast curious, judging glances at Daisy.

"Yvonne, look at her! She's out of control..." Daisy whined, looking for support.

Yvonne patted Daisy's hand, playing the picture of grace. "Alright, don't be angry."

"She asked me to help tie this for you."

Hearing that, Mrs. Sterling's expression relaxed slightly. She reluctantly turned around and hissed under her breath, speaking furiously fast.

"Claire, Jefferson and Yvonne are the perfect match. This is a very important day. You'd better be smart about this, or it's not going to end well for your sick mother or your bankrupt father!"

Claire's fingers expertly wove the silk scarf into a beautiful knot.

She didn't stop her movements, merely looking up to meet the older woman's eyes, a faint, chilling smile curving her lips.

"How exactly would you like me to be smart about this, Mrs. Sterling?"

"Should I walk up to that stage and announce to everyone that I've been Jefferson's girlfriend for seven years, or should I tell them Yvonne is actually the homewrecker?"

Mrs. Sterling choked on her own breath.

The woman standing before her radiated absolute confidence. She looked nothing like the terrified, desperate girl who used to walk on eggshells trying to please her.

"Mrs. Sterling, there's no need to panic. I'm just here to deliver a scarf. I got paid, I did my job. As for Jefferson..."