The One He Dismissed Became The One He Died For novel Chapter 74

Toby blinked and nodded. "Yeah, I know her. This is Mommy's secretary, Lydia."

"Alright then, go put on your jacket."

Toby hesitated, looking from the secretary to Claire, his small hand tugging at the hem of her dress.

"But Uncle Miles told me to protect you..."

"I'll be right here. I'm not going anywhere," Claire promised.

Lydia led the little boy away, then returned to offer Claire a glass of plum juice.

"Ms. Jenner, plum juice helps sober you up. You should try some."

Claire didn't think much of it and drank more than half. The sweet and sour taste dissolved on her tongue, carrying a faint trace of bitterness.

The night breeze grew colder, but the burning heat inside Claire didn't lessen in the slightest. Instead, it intensified.

Her heart began to race, and her vision grew blurry.

"Ms. Jenner, you don't look so well. Should I help you to a guest room to rest?"

Claire violently shuddered, grabbing onto a pillar and taking a half-step back.

"No need. I'll just wait here for Toby..."

She clenched her fists tightly, desperately fighting the suffocating haze to maintain her grip on reality.

She wanted to leave, but her legs felt like they were filled with lead—heavy, weak, and completely unresponsive.

From the darkness, two burly, fierce-looking men stepped out, perverse smiles plastered across their faces.

"This is the chick prepared for us?"

"She's gorgeous. Don't waste time, let's get this done quick."

The two men grabbed Claire by the arms.

"Get the hell out..." she cried out, but her mouth was quickly clamped shut.

A few moments later, Toby came running back on his short little legs, out of breath and hugging an adult's jacket.

"Goddess Claire! I'm back! Look, I grabbed a jacket for you too..."

His excited, childish voice abruptly cut off.

Beneath the streetlamp, there was no one.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify