The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 95

CHAPTER NINETY-FIVE_EVA’S POV

The first thing I noticed that morning wasn’t the sunlight-

It was the headlines.

They were everywhere.

My name. His name.

Side by side, on the front cover of every news outlet, exactly where they belonged.

I scrolled slowly, taking my time, letting each image load fully, taking them in with my eyes, before

moving to the next.

I noticed how impeccable the angles were. The lighting was even better. The ring caught just enough

attention without looking forced.

Carefully done, and definitely not excessive.

Just enough to make people believe it was true.

A smile lit up my face.

People never questioned something that looked right.

And this- this looked just perfect!

I set the phone down on the vanity and leaned back slightly in my chair, studying my reflection.

My face as beautiful and polished as always, untouched by the noise I had just created.

Lucian hadn’t said a word publicly. At least not yet.

But that didn’t matter.

I didn’t see him to confirm it. I just needed him to not deny it fast enough.

I carefully adjusted the silk robe around my slender shoulders, my gaze drifting briefly, almost absentmindedly, to my midsection.

My stomach was flat.

Unchanged.

I rested my hand there anyway.

“Three months,” I murmured to myself

I might be blonde, but I’m not airhead.

The number was convincing enough.

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Early enough.

My lips curved faintly, into a smile.

Time, when planned and managed properly, was the easiest thing to control.

And the way I was controlling this scheme was an absolute delight.

It worked especially well because people wanted a story to follow.

A relationship like ours- a power couple, a child, an engagement- it fit too neatly for anyone to question

And if they we do question it…

It wouldn’t matter anymore.

My phone buzzed again.

This time, it wasn’t the media. It was work.

Not mine- at least not yet.

But this was a role I had been quietly circling for weeks now.

Big budget, international, six months of filming overseas.

I tapped message open, then started scanning through the update.

They were close to finalizing casting. Very close.

Very good.

Distance solved problems. Distance created new realities.

Six months away from the country was more than enough time for me to conclude this… grand scheme.

Enough time for me to be believed when I return with a baby- the heir Lucian and his board desires.

Enough for things to… solidify.

By the time I returned, there would be no room left for doubt. Only acceptance.

I placed the phone down again, smiling to myself. Smile was all I had done ever since Claire left the

house.

Everything was finally aligning exactly the way I needed it to.

A soft knock sounded before the door opened.

Theo stepped in without waiting to be invited. I didn’t mind. He was as efficient as he was useful.

“Ms. Sterling.”

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I didn’t turn immediately. “You’re late.”

“Deliberately,” he replied. “It was… a busy morning.”

That made me look at him.

“How busy?”

“The audit request went through.”

Of course it did. Lucian was nothing if not thorough.

“And?” I asked calmly.

“He called everyone in.” Theo answered.

I tilted my head slightly. “Everyone?”

“All assistants. Internal operations. Finance support.”

Predictable.

“And?” I asked, not even trying to feign concern.

“There was pressure,” Theo continued. “He reviewed multiple transactions.”

“Multiple?” I repeated, though I already knew.

“Yes.” Theo paused. “They nearly lost their positions.”

I watched him for a moment, then turned back to the mirror.

“Nearly isn’t actually,” I said lightly.

Honestly, I couldn’t care less what happened to a few assistants. If they lost their jobs, how difficult would it be to simply find another? Pft.

Theo didn’t respond.

I picked up a brush, and began running it slowly through my hair. “They don’t know anything.”

“No,” he agreed. “They don’t.”

“And that’s why they’re still employed.” I shrugged.

Theo shifted slightly.

“He’s not treating it like a mistake,” Theo said carefully, like it was a warning.

I met his eyes through the mirror. “He shouldn’t.”

That was the point.

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NINETY FIVE IVASPOV

Let him look.

He would find something- just not what mattered.

Theo stepped closer, lowering his voice slightly.

“The remaining transfers are scheduled,” he said. “Staggered. Harder to trace together.”

“Amounts?” I enquired.

“Controlled.”

“Good.” I said, then set the brush down. “Make sure it stays that way.”

Theo nodded once.

I watched him for a moment longer before speaking again. “And the accounts?”

“Clean,” he said. “Distributed.”

Of course they were.

I didn’t do sloppy. Not with money. Not with anything.

My fingers brushed slightly against the velvet box sitting on the dresser.

The moment I opened it, the ring caught the light.

Brilliant. Large. Exactly what it needed to be.

Theo glanced at it briefly, then back at me.

“The coverage helped,” he said. “Engagement speculation increased overnight.”

“I know,” I replied, smirking.

I slipped the ring onto my finger again, adjusting it slightly. It fit just perfectly.

Lucian hadn’t given it to me- that was irrelevant.

People didn’t care about facts. They cared about presentation.

And I had just curated a very believable presentation.

“Some of the staff are… unsettled,” Theo added after a moment.

I raised a brow slightly. “Because they weren’t fired?”

“Because of how close they came.”

I sighed. What did Theo want to hear? That I felt bad for them?

I didn’t.

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CUALIANINETY FIVE TVAS POV

“They’ll recover.

“They’re afraid.”

“They should be.”

Fear made people careful.

Careful people didn’t ask too many questions.

I turned away from the mirror, walking slowly toward the window.

Outside, everything moved as usual.

Cars, people… oblivious.

Exactly as it should be.

“I saw what you did to Claire the other night,” Theo said.

My gaze didn’t shift from the window.

“I know.” I almost smiled.

“She handled it well.”

A soft laugh escaped my throat. “She always does.”

Then I remembered Lucian, following her like a moron.