The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 230

HA IS WITHOWED AND THY CLARES POOV

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CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY_CLAIRE’S POV

The hearing had ended hours ago, yet Eva Sterling’s face still lingered in my mind.

Not because she’d won.

She hadn’t.

Not because she’d managed to manipulate anyone.

She hadn’t done that either.

But it was the desperation in her eyes that stayed with me.

For the first time since I’d known her, Eva Sterling had looked afraid.

I walked through Sinclair & Co. feeling as though every bone in my body had been replaced with concrete.

My heels echoed softly against the polished floor as I made my way toward my office.

The case file in my hands suddenly felt heavier than it actually was.

The first hearing would take place next week.

No more preliminary conferences, no more procedural arguments.

This case was finally going to court.

When I finally reached my office, I let the thick file fall onto my desk.

The sound echoed through the quiet room.

For several seconds, I simply stared at it.

Months ago, this file had represented the impossible. Irreparable damage.

Lucian’s reputation was in ruins, just like Elise Sinclair’s and many others before her.

Eva was untouchable.

Hart was still hiding in the shadows.

Dr. Ramon too, had been refusing to speak.

Back then I’d wondered whether taking the case had been the biggest mistake of my career.

Now…

Everything had changed.

A gentle knock interrupted my thoughts.

Before I could answer, Daniel Reyes pushed the door open.

“I figured you’d need this.” He said as he strode over to my table, balancing two cups of coffee in his hands.

I managed a tired smile. “You figured correctly.”

He handed me one before settling into the chair opposite my desk.

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CLAME PON

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“So…” He leaned back. “How bad was it?”

1 chuckled quietly. “You mean besides Eva trying to buy her way out of accountability?”

Daniel chuckled again. “I’ll take that as bad.”

I took a slow sip of coffee before shaking my head. “She wanted some sort of sympathy.”

From the crease on Daniel’s face, that baffled him as much as it baffled me.

“She wanted everyone to forget everything she’d done.”

I looked out the window. “She wanted forgiveness before accountability.”

Daniel nodded once.

“I can imagine that’s exactly what she wanted.” Then his expression became more serious. “The judge signed off on the schedule.”

I looked back at him. “The first hearing is officially next week.”

After months of watching Lucian’s name dragged through the mud…

The trial would finally begin.

Daniel watched me quietly. “You okay?” He asked.

I smiled faintly. “I think so.”

He smiled back. “You know…” He hesitated. “Margot would be proud of you.

He corrected himself the moment I looked up. “No.” He said, his smile widening. “She is proud of you.”

Emotion made my chest tighten.

“I still remember your first day here.’

I laughed softly. “I’d rather you didn’t.”

“You were terrified, but oddly confident.”

“I was.”

“And you started on a probatory role, remember?”

I rolled my eyes.

It was true. Margot had provided that opportunity after I didn’t land the job.

I still remembered the interview like it was yesterday.

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