The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 17

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN_ Claire’s POV

I left the mansion at the crack of dawn, before anyone noticed.

No driver, no announcement, no pause at Lucian’s study door. I didn’t even tell Camilla.

I didn’t want Eva asking questions I wasn’t ready to answer. And I didn’t want to watch Lucian pretend like this wasn’t happening. 1

I was lucky enough to find a cab just outside the estate. But this time, the ride to Sinclair & Co felt

different.

It felt sharper, like I was walking into something that would either stabilize my future or ruin it entirely.

Margot Sinclair was already there when I arrived.

Her office was understated but classy in a way only real power could afford.

Her space was all clean lines, glass, and silence. The kind of silence that commanded attention.

As the wife of Lucian Dhark, I knew all about that kind of silence.

Margot didn’t offer pleasantries.

“Sit.” She said, gesturing to the chair opposite her desk.

I sat without hesitation.

“I’ll be direct,” Margot started, staring at me with intense grey eyes. “Your interview was compromised.”

I didn’t react.

I had already suspected it, but hearing Margot herself state it so bluntly, made something tighten in my

chest.

“One of the panelists failed to disclose a personal conflict of interest.” She revealed. “That alone, violates our internal protocols. It won’t happen again, I’ve made sure of that.”

Margot spoke firmly. Confidently. Like a woman who knew the weight of her own words.

“You were not rejected,” Margot continued. “Your file was pulled before a final decision could be made.”

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

I hadn’t failed, I had been sabotaged.

While that was nothing to be happy about, I was relieved that I had not been deemed unworthy.

Relieved that my suspicions about being sabotaged had been correct.

“And before you ask,” she went on, “yes. I am aware that the interference came from an external force. Someone who sees you as a rival.”

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Eva.

Margot didn’t say her name. She didn’t need to.

“So you know.” I spoke, barely above a whisper.

Something about my potential employer a woman I had once admired from a distance_ knowing about the woman who had taken over my home, made embarrassment crawl up my spine.

“I do. And I don’t tolerate that kind of interference in my firm.” Margot said, then folded her hands in front of her. “Which brings me to why I asked you here.”

She paused, then slid a thin folder across the desk, toward me.

“I’m offering you a probationary associate position.” She announced. “You’ll work directly under me for six full months. I believe your performance will speak for itself.”

I felt my heart skip. Even my eyes widened with surprise.

“This isn’t a favor, it’s an opportunity.” She said, before I could even think of thanking her. “Bear in mind that you’ll be held to a higher standard than anyone else.”

“I understand.” I replied immediately.

Margot studied me for a moment, then nodded. “Good.”

Silence fell between us.

I contemplated telling her more… about the eviction.

But how would I even start?

How would I tell her that my husband and his mistress were kicking me out of my matrimonial home?

The thought made me cringe. It made me feel like a failure.

Margot watched me expectantly, like she knew I had more to say. Like she was waiting for me to come

out of a shell.

Then I did. “There’s something else you should know.”

Margot nodded once, urging me on.

“They’re trying to remove me from the house. My bags are packed as we speak and I will be moved to the guesthouse this afternoon.” I managed to explain, despite the embarrassment I was feeling.

Margot’s expression didn’t change, but something in her eyes sharpened.

“Have you signed the divorce papers?” she asked.

“No.”

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Margot exhaled. “Good.” She said. “Because they can’t evict you without a court order. And any attempt to make you relocate before legal separation can be challenged as coercion.”

Relief washed through me like a waterfall. But before I could even open my mouth to say thank you, Margot started speaking again.

She was obviously a woman of little sentiment.

“You’ll stay where you are.” She stated firmly. “And if they push again, they won’t be speaking to you.”

She met my gaze fully now, and held it.

“They’ll be speaking to me.”

I nodded, feeling a broad smile take over my face. “Thank you.” I finally said.

Margot nodded once, then stood, signaling the end of the meeting. “Be at the office Monday. Nine sharp.”

“I will.”

And just like that, it was done.

I didn’t get the position I had applied for- but I did get a job.

And not just any job.

I would be working directly under the iconic Margot Sinclair, the woman who had inspired me to become a lawyer in the first place.

When I returned to the mansion later that evening, Eva was waiting.

She sat on her favorite chair in the sitting room, perfectly composed, like the queen of a palace.

Her expression was expectant – like someone who was certain the outcome would be in her favor.

“You’re back.” She said.

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