The One He Dismissed Became The One He Died For novel Chapter 89

Jefferson's explosive voice roared from the other end of the line.

"Claire, when did you become so damn cheap! Cuddling up with some guy on a live broadcast?"

"Tell me who he is! Is it Miles?"

Claire sneered, hung up, and promptly blocked his new number.

-

Grandview Heights.

Claire stood at the elevator, hesitated for a moment, and punched in the code to apartment 501.

She gathered all the belongings she had left at Miles's place, wiping away any trace of herself, and returned to her own rented apartment, 502.

Shutting the door, she stood in the pitch black. The air was thick with dampness.

It was a stark contrast to the warmth and comfort of Miles's place.

Too exhausted to shower, she stripped off her clothes and collapsed onto the bed, her mind a chaotic mess.

The seduction plan with Miles had to be put on pause.

She had to deal with George's demands first.

Thinking of Miles's face, those deeply intense eyes, and the tenderness he showed while caring for her...

Claire felt a stifling heaviness in her chest. An uncomfortable guilt clawed at her, making her feel like a terrible person.

Her phone vibrated with a message from Miles.

[Where did you go?]

The faint screen glow illuminated her tense face. Her thumbs hovered over the chat, typing and deleting repeatedly.

[At the hospital, taking care of my mom.]

She pressed the phone face-down against her chest and let out a heavy sigh.

After a long while, he replied with a simple "Okay," and the conversation died there.

She had already dragged this pristine, untouchable man off his pedestal; she couldn't drag him down into the mud with her...

Central General Hospital, inpatient ward.

She lied to him and cleared out all her things. What was she playing at?

She got the kidney donor, so she was cutting ties with him immediately?

She really loved playing games.

Ten years ago, he was played for a fool, and ten years later, he was being played again...

Miles pulled out his phone to confront her, but in the end, he couldn't send the text. He locked his screen.

The next evening, inside the luxurious banquet hall of The Gilded Palace, the Vanderbilt Group hosted their IPO celebration gala.

Claire wore light makeup and a pale purple strapless gown. Her fresh, elegant look clashed sharply with the aggressive vanity of the high-society crowd.

"Ms. Jenner, sorry to keep you waiting."

Nathan Langford sauntered over in a burgundy velvet suit, his hair slicked back heavily with gel. His tone dripped with blatant sleaze.

His disdainful gaze swept over Claire, inch by inch, from top to bottom, making her feel as uncomfortable as a piece of meat being evaluated on a rack.

"Hello, Mr. Langford," Claire said flatly, doing everything in her power to suppress her utter revulsion.