Want My Womb? I'll Make You Childless novel Chapter 35

< Chapter 35

Chapter 35

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Three days later, at the charity auction.

The moment Clara stepped out of her car, she spotted Mason chatting with the event host. They looked pretty close, like old friends. Clara’s heart sank. She pushed down the uneasy feeling and headed into the hall.

She didn’t notice Mason, whose eyes hadn’t left her since she got out of the car.

Suddenly, a commotion broke out by the main entrance. A black Bentley pulled up in the courtyard, and Ethan stepped out. His eyes immediately zeroed in on Clara’s back.

He raised an eyebrow.

What was Clara doing here?

Then, he felt eyes on him. Ethan glanced over. Mason nodded, a playful smirk on his face.

Ethan frowned, annoyance flaring.

Mason’s here too?

Is Clara here tonight to see him?

He knew, of course, about Clara and Mason’s history.

“Eth, what’s wrong?”

Olivia got out. Noticing his expression, she casually linked her arm through his, then glanced at the hall, but saw nothing.

“Nothing.”

Ethan pulled his arm away.”The deal is, I’ll bid on the necklace for you, and you ensure StarMap gets rolled out in Carter Group products first.”

“Deal.”

Olivia’s smile faded a bit. A flicker of resentment crossed her eyes.

Ever since the Brownstone incident, Ethan’s attitude towards her had cooled considerably.

She’d even heard David say that Ethan had been investigating Clara’s current address, wanting to bring Clara back to carry the baby.

But…

Thinking about Lucas’s reaction that day, Serena smirked.

Ethan’s being nice to Clara because of the baby? So what?

Once that baby’s gone, he’ll be back to how he used to treat me. After all, I’m way more useful to the Carter Group

པ ཇ

Clara is, right?

Just like now. I just casually mentioned I liked a necklace from this auction, and Ethan blew off his dinner plans to come with me. As the auction drew closer, guests started filling in. Clara found a corner seat and settled in.

When she saw Mason escorting Emma to a front-row seat, a knot of worry tightened in Clara’s stomach.

Back when they were kids, Mason had seen her mother’s necklace. He knew how important that piece was to her mom, and to her. Given how much he hated her now, would he really try to get back at her by bidding against her for the necklace?

Ethan sat there, eyes glued to Clara. He saw her look at Mason.

His eyes narrowed, fingers drumming idly on the armrest.

He couldn’t believe it. All these years later, Mason was already out there, practically shacked up with another woman, and Clara still couldn’t

get over him.

He thought back to earlier, when he’d brought his son to pick Clara up, to bring her home, and she’d just shut him down, cold.

Ethan felt a jolt of nameless rage.

Was Clara actually seeing Mason back, wanting to get back with him? Is that why she was totally blowing off her pregnancy to go out and

work?

“Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to be here for tonight’s charity auction.”

The auctioneer took the stage, mic in hand.”Alright, let’s bring out our first item!” Staff members wheeled out a Blue & White Porcelain Vase, easily taller than

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a person, onto the stage.

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Olivia’s eyes lit up, and she gave Ethan’s arm a little tug.

“Eth, that vase would look perfect right in front of the bookshelf in your office.”

“Huh?”

Ethan was still lost in thought, barely registering her words. “Look, we agreed tonight was just for one item. Anything you want, it’s yours.” Olivia bit her lip.”Oh, I just thought the vase was pretty, that’s all. I don’t actually want it.”

The earlier lots came and went. Clara couldn’t care less. Her only goal tonight was her mom’s necklace, so the rest didn’t even register.

It wasn’t until the auctioneer finally called out, “A natural sapphire necklace, platinum setting, with certificate of authenticity,” that Clara snapped her head up, eyes

locked on the stage.

“Starting bid: one million dollars.”

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Under the spotlight, the necklace shimmered with a cold gleam. The sapphire pendant caught the light, a deep, mesmerizing blue. It was that one, exactly as she remembered.

Clara looked at Mason. He was leaning in, whispering to Emma, with no sign of bidding. A silent sigh of relief escaped her. Just as she reached for her paddle, a familiar male voice cut through the air.

“$1 million.”

She snapped her head up. Ethan stood there, paddle raised, his gaze on Olivia.

Clara’s heart sank. She hadn’t expected Ethan and Olivia to be here too.

And, from the looks of it, Olivia seemed to have her eyes on the necklace.

Ethan was clearly about to drop serious cash to get it for her.

After covering the company’s losses, she only had less than three million dollars left. She wasn’t sure if she had any shot at winning against Ethan.

“One point one million.”

Clara raised her paddle.

Hearing Clara’s voice, Ethan raised an eyebrow. She had her eyes on this necklace too?

“Eth…”

Olivia’s heart clenched. Would Ethan really ditch everything for Clara?

‘Two million.”

Ethan bid again. Olivia visibly relaxed, a smug glint in her eyes as she looked at Clara.

Clara gritted her teeth, raising her paddle once more.

“Two point one million.”

“Pfft.”

Someone snickered.

‘Clara is seriously something else. Mr. Carter’s dropping millions, and she’s over here with her measly one-hundred-thousand-dollar bids? So pathetic, trying to go against him.”

‘I bet she’s just trying to grab Ethan’s attention. Not like she hasn’t done that before.”

“Dude, everyone knows Mr. Carter treats his wife like gold. He’s buying this for Olivia. Why is Clara trying so hard to be noticed?”

The whispers made Ethan uncomfortable. He turned to Clara, her small face pale, her eyes flashing with a fierce unwillingness to give up. He could tell she desperately wanted the necklace, but clearly, her funds were running low,

Whatever. If she wants it so bad, she can have it.

He leaned in close to Olivia.”We’ll check out the other lots later. If nothing catches your eye, just pick a style. I’ll have my people custom-order one for you from abroad.”

A flicker of defiance sparked in Olivia’s eyes. She opened her mouth, about to argue. But Ethan’s warning gaze locked onto hers, cutting her off. She had no choice but to nod.”Fine,” she forced out, her voice tight.”Whatever you say.”

“Two point one million, going once.”

Clara saw Ethan wasn’t following her. He leaned in to talk to Olivia instead. She let out a quiet breath.

“Two point one million dollars, going twice.”

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Everyone could tell Ethan wasn’t going to fight Clara for this necklace. He wouldn’t bid again.

Clara’s hands clenched into fists. She sat up straighter.

“Two point one million, going-”

“Two point five million!”

Mason raised his paddle, a nasty smirk playing on his lips as he looked at Clara.

Clara’s stomach dropped. She looked at Mason, then at her card balance, and raised her paddle.

“Two point six million!”

Mason’s gaze locked on Clara. He watched her face drain of color, a smirk tugging at his lips.

How could he not know this necklace was what Clara’s mom had longed to reclaim until her dying breath?

After all, Linda had once joked with his own mother, saying Clara would wear this very necklace when she married him.

But now, someone else was marrying him.

So naturally, that necklace should belong on her.

Mason stood, walked to the main seat on the right, and settled in. He shot Clara a challenging look.

“Three million.”

The room erupted in whispers. Even Ethan frowned.

“Is Mr. Walker just… making it rain?”

Clara’s face drained of color. She knew it. Tonight, she couldn’t win against Mason. Not a chance.

“Three million. Going once.”

“Three million. Going twice.”

“Three million. Going three times!”

“Sold! Congratulations, Mr. Walker, on the natural sapphire necklace!”

The staff handed the necklace to Mason.

Mason took the necklace. He held it to the light, giving a satisfied nod. Then he walked to Emma and clasped it around her neck. Clara watched the necklace on Emma’s neck. It should’ve been her mother’s. The sight burned her eyes. She shot Mason a furious glare. Mason knew how much that necklace meant to her. Still, he just grabbed it, not giving a damn, and gave it to Emma.

Mason caught Clara’s furious glare. The years of pent-up resentment inside him? It finally started to ease. Just a little.

Clara. Regretting it now?

If she hadn’t married Ethan back then. If she’d just waited for him to come back. Clara would be the woman by his side now. And that necklace? It would be all Clara’s, no doubt.

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Knowing she wasn’t getting that necklace, Clara lost all desire to stick around. She got up walked straight out of the auction hall, completely done.

‘Clara.”

Emma called out from behind her.”You really want that necklace?”

Clara looked up.”You know this belonged to my mom. Why even ask?”

“Your aunt’s?” Ethan’s voice was low, a sudden realization.

Emma slipped the necklace off, holding it in her hand. A hint of reluctance crossed her face before she offered it to Clara.”Since it’s your aunt’s heirloom, you can have it.”

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Clara eyed Emma suspiciously.”You’re really giving it to me?”

“Yeah.”

Emma nodded. “But Mason paid three million dollars for it…”

Clara nodded.”I know. I’ll transfer the money to you tomorrow.”

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She was a little short on her card. Tomorrow, she’d hit up Benjamin at the office for a salary advance. Coming up with three million dollars shouldn’t be a problem.

“Emma, you don’t like this necklace?”

Mason had appeared behind them at some point, staring at the necklace in Emma’s hand.

“I was gonna have you wear it when we get married.”

“But it’s your aunt’s.”

Emma linked her arm through Mason’s, leaning into him coyly.”Clara really wants it, babe. Can’t we just let her have it?”

“I’d feel super anxious wearing this necklace for our wedding.”

Mason shot Clara a look, pure scorn in his eyes.

“You’re way too good to her, aren’t you? She wants it, you just hand it over.”

He snatched the necklace from Emma’s hand, twirling it on his finger.

Clara tensed, fearing he’d fling it and ruin it. She took a step closer, almost without thinking.

Mason caught her movement, a cold smirk on his face.”Honey,” he drawled, “since you don’t like this necklace, let’s just toss it.”

He raised his arm, flicked his wrist. The necklace shot out of his hand, landing with a loud splash in the courtyard fountain.

Clara’s face drained of color. She whirled around, about to dive into the fountain to grab it, but a hand clamped around her wrist.

“Don’t you dare.”

Mason’s voice was flat, ice-cold.”Even if my wife doesn’t want it, you’re not good enough to pick it up.”

SMACK!

Clara finally snapped. Her hand flew out, connecting with Mason’s face in a brutal slap.

“Mason, you know damn well how much that necklace means to me! You know!”

“You seriously think you’re this successful just because of your cousin?”

“Do you even know what I did back then-”

Emma saw Clara’s face flush, fear hitting her that the truth about Clara marrying Ethan would spill.”Clara, chill,” she cut in quickly. “I’ll have someone get it.”

She turned, already waving a staff member over.

No way Clara was waiting. She shoved Mason’s hand off and plunged straight into the fountain.

It was summer, but the icy water still hit Clara like a shock. Shivering, she used the courtyard lights to feel around.

‘Clara! Are you out of your damn mind?! The baby! You just don’t want the baby?!”

Ethan’s face was dark, absolutely livid.

He’d noticed Clara and Mason had vanished, annoyance churning in his gut. He came out to check, only to stumble upon this scene the moment he stepped from the main hall.

He strode quickly to the fountain’s edge, ready to yank Clara out.

Clara shoved Ethan back.”Don’t even try! I’m getting that necklace. It’s my mom’s!”

Ethan froze, stunned.

Her mom’s keepsake?

So that’s it. Clara wasn’t here tonight for him. She came for the necklace.

He suppressed a smirk, then called out, “David!”

David had already noticed what was happening. He’d gotten out of the car. Without a second’s thought, he dove straight into the fountain.

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