The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 199

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY-NINE LUCIAN’S POV

I had faced hostile investors more times than I could count. Hostile boards, hostile acquisitions.

One time, I had spent fourteen straight hours negotiating a merger that would have collapsed Dhark Holdings if it failed, and I had emerged victorious.

But none of that felt comparable to standing backstage, waiting and preparing for a press conference that could either save my company or finish destroying it.

The conference hall beyond the curtains sounded like a storm.

I could hear numerous voices, clashing over each other. Cameras, reporters, producers.

The constant movement of people preparing to get insight on what half the country was already calling the biggest corporate scandal of the year.

Tessa stood beside me with a tablet. My legal counsel and an external PR agent were standing close, reviewing final notes with immense focus.

The PR director on the other hand, looked seconds away from a nervous breakdown.

“Do not speculate,” he reminded me for what was probably the tenth time.

I stopped myself from rolling my eyes. “I know.”

“Do not discuss any ongoing criminal investigations.”

Again, “I know.”

“And for the love of God, if someone asks about Claire Moreau-”

“I know.” My tone was enough to tell him that I’d had more than enough.

He exhaled heavily. I wasn’t sure he believed me.

Frankly, I wasn’t sure I believed me either.

The lawsuit had been filed. Eva would be served. The truth was finally moving toward daylight.

But the damage she’d caused was so vast, it spread over everything; my company, my reputation, Claire’s life.

Margot Sinclair and Nathaniel Vale had even gotten caught in the crossfire.

My phone vibrated suddenly, prompting me to glance down.

Claire was calling.

For a moment, I forgot the situation at hand.

“Mr. Dhark, we’re live in eight minutes,” the PR director warned.

1/5

ONE PONDRED AND NINETY NINE LUCIAN’S POV

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I ignored him and answered anyway.

“Lucian.” Claire’s strained voice came from the other end of the line.

Immediately, my attention sharpened. “What happened?”

She was silent for a moment.

“I found something on my car.” She finally said.

The room vanished then- my team, the press conference, everything vanished.

I stepped farther away from the others. “What do you mean?”

Claire started explaining. An envelope, the photograph inside, the message behind it.

Hart Sullivan.

I didn’t realize how hard my jaw was clenched until she finished talking. Even my hand was clenched so tightly around the phone, my knuckles had started to hurt.

“Where are you?” I asked.

“Still at Sinclair & Co.” Claire answered.

“Good.”

Claire sighed. “Lucian-”

“Do not leave.”

“I’m fine.” She tried to argue, but I could tell she didn’t even believe it.

“No.” I said, the word coming out sharper than intended.

I lowered my voice. “Stay where you are.”

The silence on the other end told me she was annoyed. But I didn’t care.

Hart Sullivan had gone from threatening Claire anonymously to actively stalking her. That significantly changed things.

“I’ll have people check your vehicle.” I said.

Again.

Claire laughed tiredly. “You’re starting to sound obsessive.”

“Margot Sinclair nearly died because someone tampered with her vehicle.”

Claire didn’t answer immediately. She knew I was right.

“Fine.” She said resignedly.

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MONE HUNDRED AND NINETY NINE TUCIANS POV

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Good. At least she wasn’t arguing anymore.

“I’m serious, Claire.” I added.

“I know.” She sighed.

The quietness in her voice bothered me. She didn’t just sound afraid, she sounded exhausted.

The kind of exhaustion that came from being threatened too many times. The kind that made people stop reacting properly.

I hated it. I hated that someone had managed to make her feel that way.

“I’ll deal with it,” I said. “I promise.”

Another silence. I never really promised anyone anything- not until today.

Claire was silent for sometime. Then she sighed and said, “Good luck today.”

My chest tightened- quickly and unexpectedly at that. “Thank you.” I said, just before she hung up.

I stared at the screen for a moment, then lowered the phone.

Tessa was watching me carefully.

“Hart Sullivan threatened Claire again.” I said.

Tessa shook her head. “Should we inform the police?” she asked.

I laughed once-cold and humorless. “They’re already looking for him.” I said. “It clearly isn’t enough.”

Nobody responded.

Because they all understood exactly what I meant.

Hart Sullivan was becoming a problem, and I was rapidly running out of patience.

“Mr. Dhark.” The PR director called. He still looked as pale as paper. “We need to go.”

I slid my phone into my pocket, then straightened my jacket.

It was time to burn everything down.

The room fell silent when I stepped onto the stage.

Hundreds of faces stared back at me.

Rows of cameras were lined up. Microphones, journalists, analysts, investors, critics.

People who hated me, the few who still supported me, and people who simply wanted a spectacle were

present.

3/5

NINETY NINE LATIANS POV

+15 Bonus

Twenty-two year old Lucian would have been a nervous wreck.

But today, I sat down behind the podium, adjusted the microphone, then looked directly into the cameras.

“For months,” I began calmly, “the public was given a version of events that was not true.”

The hall remained perfectly silent. Attentive.

“Today, I am correcting the record.” Every camera flashed.

I continued. I started by speaking about the theft. The one hundred and seventy million dollars. The fifty million intended for my ex-wife- I didn’t want to mention Claire’s name any more than necessary- and how Eva had intercepted the transfer with the help of my assistant.

It was financial manipulation. It was theft. It was fraud.

Then I moved to the medical deception. The room became even quieter.

“The woman who was publicly portrayed as infertile was never infertile.” The reaction was immediate.

Voices exploded over each other. Questions started flying. Security moved immediately, to prevent anyone from getting too close to the stage.

I waited and waited. Eventually, the noise settled.

Then I continued. I explained everything: from the falsified reports to Dr. Ramon, whose medical license has now been revoked.

And finally, the fake pregnancy. Eva’s deception that lasted months.

Then the breakup and the abuse allegations. The months of harassment from Eva’s fans. The pressure campaign against my company. The ultimatum Eva gave me.

By the time I finished, the room felt stunned.

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