The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 79

CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE EVA’S POV

The house was quiet in a way it hadn’t been before.

It felt… well, different.

I walked slowly through the living room, followed by the sound of my heels clicking against the polished floor.

My gaze moved over the interiors of the mansion with satisfaction.

Nothing had changed physically.

The furniture was exactly where it had always been. The lighting, the arrangement, the careful balance of space and design remained untouched.

And yet, it felt lighter.

I paused near the center of the sitting room, allowing my fingers to brush lightly against the back of a chair as a thought settled perfectly in my mind.

Claire was gone.

Gone.

I felt a smile tugging at my lips.

When the urge to smile became too strong, I let out a satisfied grin.

“It suits the place,” I murmured to myself. “Less… sentimental.”

My gaze shifted toward the hallway leading into the house. For a moment, I considered going upstairs.

But I stopped myself.

There was no need to rush into spaces that still held traces of someone else.

Things like that faded better with time and intention.

I heard footsteps approaching from behind me. Careful footsteps that I could guess belonged to a stuff.

I saw her from the corner of my eyes before turning. Camilla.

“Ms. Sterling,” she said respectfully.

Then I turned slowly.

My expression was pleasant and polished. Almost warm.

“Yes?”

“There’s a call for Mr. Dhark. I was told to inform you in case-”

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ESENTY NINI IVAN POV

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“In case what?” I interrupted lightly.

She hesitated for half a second. “In case he returns before I can reach him.”

I held her gaze, then smiled faintly. Enough to make her uncomfortable.

“You won’t need to worry about that.” I said through gritted teeth.

But Camilla wasn’t just any other staff in the mansion. She didn’t squirm easily.

But I noticed her posture stiffen slightly under my gaze. “I understand.”

I took a step closer, my tone still soft. “Actually, there are a few adjustments we’ll be making going

forward.”

She said nothing.

She didn’t need to.

I continued, my voice gentle but deliberate. “I prefer things done efficiently. Quietly. Without unnecessary

… attachment.”

The word lingered.

Her expression didn’t change, but something in her shoulders did.

“I’ve always done my job to the best of my ability,” she said carefully.

“I’m sure you have,” I replied. “But this house is transitioning. It would be best if you adapted accordingly.”

A pause.

Then, almost as an afterthought-

“Or reconsider your position.”

Silence followed.

She inclined her head slightly. “Of course.”

I watched her for a moment longer.

Then dismissed her with a glance.

Theo arrived not long after.

He didn’t announce himself loudly. He never did. His presence was subtle, efficient-like everything about him.

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INA NINI IVAS POV

“Ms. Sterling.”

I turned as he stepped into the room, already holding a tablet in one hand.

“You’re early.”

“You said it was urgent.”

“I did.”

I gestured slightly toward the seating area, then took my place with effortless ease.

Theo remained standing for a moment, then spoke.

“There’s been a financial authorization issued this morning.”

My gaze lifted.

“By Mr. Dhark.”

That was expected.

“What kind of authorization?” I asked.

His tone remained neutral. “A transfer.”

I waited.

“To Claire.”

The name landed without visible reaction.

For a moment, I said nothing.

Then I leaned back slightly, my fingers resting lightly against the arm of the chair.

“How much?”

Theo glanced briefly at the screen.

“Fifty million.”

Silence settled.

Still.

Measured.

I didn’t move.

Didn’t react the way most people would expect.

Instead, my eyes sharpened just slightly.

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EVAS PON

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“He’s compensating her,” I said.

Not a question.

A conclusion.

Theo didn’t argue.

“He initiated it personally,” he added.

I let out a soft breath through my nose.

Of course he did.

Lucian didn’t do anything halfway.

Not when it came to things he couldn’t quite fix.

My lips curved faintly.

“Guilt is such an expensive emotion.”

Theo said nothing.

He knew better.

I tilted my head slightly, considering.

“And this transfer… how is it structured?”

Theo stepped closer, tapping lightly on the screen before answering.

“It requires secondary authorization due to the amount. There are access points through joint oversight channels.”

My gaze flickered with interest.

“Meaning?”

“Meaning,” he said smoothly, “it can be redirected before final clearance. Legally… it exists in a gray area.”

I was quiet for a moment.

Thinking.

Calculating.

Then I smiled.

Slow.

Deliberate.

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2ND NIN IVAS POV

“If he wants to give something away,” I said softly, “it might as well stay where it belongs.”

Theo inclined his head slightly. “Understood.”

I looked at him then, my expression calm.

“Handle it.”

Theo didn’t need further instruction.

He never did.

I rose from my seat, moving toward the window as the room fell quiet again.

Outside, the world continued as usual.

Unaware.

Unconcerned.

I rested my hand lightly against the glass, my reflection staring back at me.

Perfectly composed.

Perfectly in control.

“Margot Sinclair is getting bold,” I said after a moment.

Theo glanced up briefly. “She’s positioning aggressively.”

My lips curved faintly.

“She’s obsessed.”

The word came easily.

Dismissively.

“As if this is about her.”

Theo nodded in quiet agreement. “She’s invested.”

I let out a soft, amused breath.

“She mistakes proximity for importance.”

My gaze shifted slightly.

“And Claire…” I continued.

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VINI NINI IVASPOV

A brief pause.

“She always did mistake endurance for strength.”

Theo didn’t hesitate. “She’s reactive. Predictable.”

I smiled.

Exactly the kind of answer I expected.