The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 146

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-SIX NATHANIEL’S POV

The KVEK boardroom overlooked half the city.

The space was all glass walls and muted lighting. A skyline built by people exactly like the ones sitting

around this table.

Powerful, precise, and ruthless when needed be.

I stood at the head of the table, one of my hands resting lightly against the back of a chair as the screen behind me displayed the latest projections tied to the Dhark Holdings crisis.

None of them looked good. Obviously.

“Public sentiment is still overwhelmingly against Dhark Holdings,” I stated, clicking to the next slide. “But as expected, Eva Sterling has avoided making a direct accusation.”

Victoria Merlyn leaned back in her chair lazily. “Strategically.”

I ignored the interruption.

“For now,” I continued, “that works in our favor. Suggestive language creates outrage, but it also creates legal distance.”

Keller, one of the senior partners, nodded slowly. “Meaning?”

“Meaning she can still be sued.” I stated. “If we prove malicious intent.”

The room fell quiet again.

Everyone understood what was at stake- what we were really dealing with here.

This wasn’t just celebrity gossip anymore.

This was a corporate war, attached to a global scandal.

Dhark Holdings possessed too much reach, too much money, too many international partnerships for

this to remain personal.

The damage was already bleeding into different markets.

“And you believe Lucian Dhark is innocent?” Victoria questioned, tapping a manicured finger against the polished table.

I met her gaze calmly. “Yes.”

She smiled faintly- but not pleasantly. “Interesting.”

There it was- her scrutiny.

I had been waiting for it since the meeting began.

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Victoria tilted her head slightly. “Perhaps someone else should handle the case.”

I felt the room shift around me. People shifted subtly in their seats.

“You withdrew from Mr. Dhark’s last case rather dramatically, if I recall correctly.” Victoria stated.

Her voice remained smooth and professional, which was what made it worse.

“Or,” she continued lightly, “was it less about ethics and more about your growing attachment to the former Mrs. Dhark?”

No one spoke, no one moved.

But all eyes remained on us.

Victoria glanced down briefly at the file in front of her before adding-

“I suppose I never understood why men tend to compromise professional judgment over a woman who was very clearly marrying for money and status.”

My jaw tightened immediately.

Claire had been insulted publicly before.

By Victoria, by the press, by the general public.

But hearing it all over again still ignited something violent in me.

I spoke before I could reconsider it. “That’s interesting coming from you.”

Victoria’s gaze lifted slowly.

“You once took another man’s surname too,” I continued calmly. “Kilmartin, if I remember correctly.”

Her expression hardened almost immediately.

Good.

Everyone in this room knew exactly what I meant by that.

KVEK.

The K belonged to Victoria Merlyn’s ex-husband. Even after the divorce, the name remained tied to the firm.

It’s not like a law firm like ours could just easily change its name from KVEK to KVEM-reputation carried more weight than pride in this industry.

“A failed marriage doesn’t determine a woman’s worth- I assumed you should know that better than anyone.” I said evenly.

Victoria’s eyes narrowed.

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“Perhaps you and Claire Moreau are more alike than you’d prefer to admit.”

The silence was sharp and uncomfortable.

Then I finished quietly, my gaze still on Victoria-

“The difference is that Claire remained kind afterward.”

That landed exactly where I intended it to.

Victoria straightened slowly in her seat, restrained fury evident on her face.

But I wasn’t done yet. Not even close.

“And perhaps your hostility has less to do with Claire herself…”

My gaze flicked toward the Virex files sitting near her elbow.

“…and more to do with the fact that she’s dismantling your client and getting the better of you in court.”

Now, Victoria’s face was a bright shade of red.

But honestly? I couldn’t care less

“She hasn’t even practiced as long as you have,” I continued. “And yet here we are.”

For a second, I thought Victoria might actually say something reckless.

Instead, she exhaled, smiled coldly and started gathering her files.

“I hope your emotional investments don’t cloud your judgment again, Nathaniel.”

And just like that, the meeting dissolved.

Partners stood slowly, chairs shifted.

People avoided eye contact as they left the room in silence, out one after another.

Victoria exited first.

And then I saw her stop briefly outside the boardroom doors.

My gaze followed hers automatically.

Claire.

She stood near the reception area, wearing a fitted charcoal suit, her right hand resting against the strap of her bag as she waited.

She looked so composed… so elegant.

I had to snap out of it.

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Victoria glared at her for one long second.

Claire held the look calmly.

Neither woman spoke.

Then Victoria walked past her without another word.

Interesting.

Just a few months ago, Victoria Merlyn had made Claire look small.

Now, it was Victoria herself who looked threatened.

Oh how the tables turn.

Claire glanced toward me as the hallway finally cleared.

“You look like you just survived a war.”

I let out a quiet laugh despite myself. “Close enough.”

She followed me back toward my office.

The moment the door shut behind us, the atmosphere shifted immediately.

It grew quieter. More personal.

I loosened my tie slightly before leaning against the edge of my desk.

“Dhark Holdings is worse than the media is reporting,” I narrated. “The crowd outside the building practically turned into a riot today.”

Claire’s expression tightened slightly.

“Lucian’s in deep trouble,” I continued. “Getting him out of this cleanly would take a miracle at this point.”

“He won’t admit guilt,” I added. “Not even to save the company.”

Claire looked away briefly.

And I realized instantly she was listening too carefully.

“He still thinks Eva orchestrated-”

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