The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 323

I was reviewing the documents for the hearing when Nathaniel arrived.

He didn’t knock before entering the Sinclair&co conference room. He simply appeared in the doorway, his gaze finding me immediately.

“Claire.”

I looked up. “Nathaniel?”

He crossed the room without another word and pulled me into a brief hug.

For a moment, I stood there, surprised by the gesture.

Then I hugged him back.

“What are you doing here?”

“I heard what happened.”

Of course he had. By now, I suspected half the city must have heard what happened.

Nathaniel pulled away and studied my face for a few seconds. “How are you holding up?”

I almost told him I was fine. The words were already forming in my mouth when I realized how ridiculous they would sound.

“Terribly,” I admitted.

His expression softened. “I’m sorry.”

I swallowed.

“I don’t understand why someone would do this.”

“Have you identified the woman making the accusations?”

“No. Apparently, she’s a former university friend who has suddenly decided to reveal some terrible secret about me.”

Nathaniel’s eyebrows drew together.

“Do you know who it is?”

“Not yet.”

I reached for my phone and showed him the photograph.

He studied it carefully.

“Who’s the man?”

“Professor Williams. He taught one of my courses.”

“Were you alone with him?”

“Yes. He offered me a ride after an academic event. We discussed a paper I was working on, and he dropped me off near my apartment.”

“That’s all?”

“That’s all.”

Nathaniel looked at the photograph again.

“And you have no idea who took it?”

“No.”

He handed my phone back.

“Then whoever took it deliberately left out the context.”

“Exactly.”

I took a deep breath.

“Nathaniel, I think Eva is behind this.”

He looked at me.

“Eva?” He raised a brow.

“Who else could it be?”

“Claire—”

“Think about it! The timing is too convenient. We’re in the middle of her case. She’s finally facing the consequences of everything she’s done, and suddenly someone appears with an old photograph of me and an accusation designed to ruin my reputation.”

I shook my head. “This has Eva Sterling written all over it.”

Nathaniel was quiet for a moment.

Then he said, “I understand why you suspect her, but do you have any proof?”

I hesitated. Then I shook my head. “No.”

“Then we need to be careful.”

I stared at him. “Careful?”

“I believe you—you know I do. I know you wouldn’t do what they’re accusing you of. But that doesn’t automatically mean Eva is responsible.”

“She has already lied about being pregnant, manipulated medical records, and made false allegations against Lucian. She’s willing to destroy people’s lives to get what she wants.”

“I know what she’s done.”

“Then why is it so difficult to believe she’d do this?”

“Because there’s a difference between knowing someone is capable of something and knowing they actually did it.”

His words irritated me because they were reasonable.

And because I didn’t want to hear them.

I wanted him to look at the photograph and see what I saw. I wanted him to understand that this wasn’t simply an unpleasant rumor that would disappear after a few days.

It was another attack. Another attempt to take something from me.

And there was only one person who had a vendetta against me.

“I don’t need you to prove Eva did it,” I said. “I need you to understand why I suspect her.”

Nathaniel sighed. “I do understand, Claire. I’m not dismissing what you’re saying. I’m just asking you not to let your anger make you jump to conclusions.”

I folded my arms in front of my chest. “Everyone keeps telling me to ignore it.”

“Because you have a more important battle to fight today.”

“Is my reputation not important?”

“Of course it is.”

“Then why does everyone keep acting as though I should simply accept this?”

“I don’t want you to accept it. I just don’t want you wasting your energy trying to defend yourself against people who have already decided what they want to believe.”

I looked away.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then Nathaniel stepped closer. “Claire, I’ve known you for years. Even in law school, I know how hard you’ve worked. I know how much your career means to you. You don’t have to prove yourself to me, and you don’t have to prove yourself to every stranger who reads a headline.”

My throat tightened.

He continued—more gently this time.

“You know who you are. Don’t let someone else make you forget that.”

I found myself blinking rapidly. I hated how close I came to crying over every single thing.

Not because I was ashamed of my emotions, but because I was tired of feeling as though every part of my life was being examined by people who had no right to judge me.

“I know who I am,” I whispered.

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