Want My Womb? I'll Make You Childless novel Chapter 77

Chapter 77

The torrential downpour that had lasted all night finally ceased.

The morning sun pierced through the clouds, streaming through the windows into the dining room as Clara spread jam on toast and handed it to Lila.

“Eat up, and I’ll take you to school,”

Lila took it and finished it in a few bites, then hopped off the chair and grabbed her backpack.

Perhaps due to the events of the previous night, the little girl hadn’t slept well, and looked a little listless.

Clara stroked her hair, took her small hand, and they headed out.

After dropping Lila off at the school entrance, watching the small figure disappear into the building, Clara drove to Nova AI.

With Ryan back at the base, the entire R&D center’s workload fell squarely on Clara’s shoulders.

She barely left the lab all day.

The scrolling code on the screen and the densely packed data formulas on the whiteboard were her entire world.

It wasn’t until the sky outside the window gradually darkened that she rubbed her aching churchs and sent the final research data to the terminal.

Clara grabbed her coat, left the research lab, and planned to check on Lila as soon as she got home.

With Ryan still away at the military base, only Lila and the nanny were at his house, and Clara felt a little uneasy.

But as she walked out of the lab, she saw Benjamin approaching with a smile on his face.

“Clara, I was just looking for you. There’s an industry reception tonight. Come with me.'”

Clara frowned.

Normally, Benjamin knew she didn’t like these kinds of social events and wouldn’t ask her to attend unless it was necessary.

“Is something up?”

Benjamin didn’t try to hide anything.”The confidential matter before involved Apex, and there are rumors circulating that our two companies are at odds.”

“The higher-ups also suspect Natalie Parker, but unfortunately, they don’t have any proof. They don’t want to strain the relationship too much and want to see if she’ll make another move.”

“As it happens, she’s also on the invitation list tonight, so I’d like you to come with me.”

Clara raised an eyebrow. Natalie hadn’t made any moves lately, so it wasn’t surprising that the higher-ups were thinking this way.

“Okay.”

With plenty of time before the cocktail party, they had dinner together, and after Benjamin helped Clara with her makeup, they headed to the

venue.

The

party was the hall.

held

at a private club in the suburbs. Crystal chandeliers cast a dazzling light, and the melodious sound of violins flowed through

Clara had barely followed Benjamin into the venue when she noticed several pairs of eyes scrutinizing them. Before she could react, a few men in suits had already surrounded them.

“Mr. Hayes, it’s an honor! I’m Michael Clark from CloudRise Technologies. I’ve been wanting to discuss technical cooperation with Nova AI…” “Mr. Hayes, this must be a member of the Blade development team, right? I’m Henry Lee from DeepMind AI, and I have a few questions I’d like to ask…”

Clara glanced at Benjamin, who gave her a helpless look.

It seemed that the National Security Agency’s investigation into Nova AI for leaking confidential information was common knowledge. Many in the industry probably knew that Nova AI had recently been involved in the development of military projects. Even those companies that had previously terminated cooperation with Nova AI because of Ethan Carter were now extending olive branches.

“Yes, this is Clara Bennett from the Blade project team. Ms. Bennett is responsible for the compatibility of our project with the Carter Group’s Skyline system.”

Robert wouldn’t miss this chance to boost Clara’s reputation in the industry, so he eagerly introduced her to the crowd.

Clara, unfazed, held her wine glass with a professional smile, answering the barrage of questions.

Her insights and ideas drew continuous praise from everyone.

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Nearby, Patricia glanced at Robert’s sullen face, a hint of jealousy flickering in her eyes, and she lowered her voice.

“Nova Al is clearly trying to promote Clara. If this keeps up and she achieves something, even if Ethan doesn’t help her, she’ll definitely be able to get to the bottom of our shorting Anderson Industries.”

Robert calmly took a sip of his wine, a ruthless glint in his eyes. “Tonight, we must find a way to get in good with Ms. Soo. If we can just get her to speak up for us, Clara will have to think twice about pursuing this, even if she wants to.”

Patricia glanced towards the entrance, anxiety in her eyes. “I heard Ms. Soo was also implicated in the classified information matter. I wonder if she’ll even come tonight…”

Before she could finish speaking, a commotion erupted at the entrance of the venue.

Everyone looked up to see Ethan standing at the doorway in a black bespoke suit, his figure tall and commanding.

–

Accompanying him was a woman in an ombré periwinkle fishtail gown Natalie Parker.

Jackson Taylor trailed closely behind the two, a practiced smile plastered on his face.

Natalie looped her arm through Ethan’s, leaning her head slightly against him with a gentle smile, appearing intimate.

A low murmur rippled through the crowd: “Is that Mr. Carter’s new companion? She’s stunning.”

“They look quite the pair. Mr. Carter certainly has a way with women. First, there was that Bennett heiress from Boston, and now who is this one?”

“Rumor has it she’s Natalie Parker, the head of Apex.”

“But if we’re talking looks, I still think Clara Bennett, the one who confronted Mr. Carter publicly, was more attractive. Too bad Mr. Carter

wasn’t interested.”

“What’s beauty worth? How can Clara Bennett compare to the head of Apex?”

Natalie Parker listened to the whispers around her, her smile deepening.

Having Ethan accompany her to the reception tonight had achieved her goal.

This way, no matter what people said privately about her being taken in for questioning by the National Security Agency, at least publicly, they wouldn’t make things difficult for her out of respect for Ethan Carter.

She instinctively reached out to take Ethan’s arm again, only to find empty space.

Natalie Parker’s heart skipped a beat, and she glanced up at the man beside her.

Ethan Carter had somehow created half a body’s length of space between them. The warmth that had been present was now gone, replaced by a chilling darkness in his eyes as he stared intently toward a point deep within the venue.

Following his gaze, Natalie saw Clara Bennett surrounded by several well-known young talents from their industry.

The black dress was impeccably tailored, accentuating the woman’s slender figure. The matte satin at the neckline caught the light subtly, perfectly highlighting the graceful curve of Clara’s neck.

She held a champagne glass in one hand, a professional smile playing on her lips. As she answered the questions directed her way, her eyes sparkled with confidence, drawing admiration from all around.

“Tsk, what’s Clara doing here?”

Jackson Taylor scoffed, his voice laced with disdain.

“Wouldn’t be surprised if she found out you and Natalie were coming and decided to show up for attention, right?”

“I wish that were the case.”

Ethan murmured, his voice almost inaudible.

Then, he shot Jackson a sidelong glance.”Is that how the Taylor family raised you? Talking badly about people behind their backs?”

It was a clear reprimand, a warning to Jackson to watch how he spoke about Clara in the future.

Jackson blinked, raising his eyebrows in surprise, but he didn’t get angry. He just found it odd.

Ethan had always been distant with Clara, never even acknowledging their relationship in public before. What changed? Why was he suddenly willing to stand up for her?

Natalie’s heart clenched at his words.

Looks like Ethan’s finally realized his feelings for Clara,” she thought.

This was going to be a problem.

A man like Ethan might seem aloof, but once he fell for someone, he’d go to the ends of the earth to protect her.

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At this rate, she wouldn’t just fail to get her hands on Blade’s core data through Ethan; she’d have a hard time establishing herself in Chicago at all.

No, she couldn’t let that happen.

Natalie lowered her eyes, hiding a flash of panic as she racked her brain for a solution. She wouldn’t go down without a fight.

“Eth…”

She plastered on a sweet smile, reaching out to take Ethan’s arm again, hoping to solidify the rumors swirling around them.

But Ethan didn’t give her the chance. He excused himself with a quick, “Excuse me,” and strode purposefully toward Clara.

Clara had already noticed the commotion at the entrance. She exchanged a look with Benjamin as she watched Ethan and Natalie walk in together.

So, Natalie’s planning to use Ethan to get her hands on Carter Group, and then go after Blade’s data again.

I wonder if Ethan’s going to risk the whole Carter Group to repay Natalie for saving his life back then. Hope he’s not that stupid.

At least, not until I win the divorce and get my settlement.

I don’t want my interests to be compromised.

Clara kept smiling, answering questions from the people around her.

The murmurs gradually died down, and even the people who had been surrounding her fell silent. Clara sensed something was off. She looked up and met Ethan’s intense gaze.

He was standing behind her, radiating a coldness that warned people to stay away, but his eyes held a softness when he looked at her.

Seeing that he finally had her attention, Ethan raised an eyebrow, a gentle smile spreading across his face.”Clara, what a coincidence. What are you doing here?”

Clara’s hand, holding the wine glass, wavered slightly. Her expression didn’t change as she said calmly, “I’m here with Mr. Hayes. Anything you need?”

All eyes turned to Clara.

No one ever thought they’d see the head of Carter Group smiling at a woman like that.

Over the years, Ethan hadn’t shown such warmth to anyone except Olivia Bennett. His life had been so devoid of female company, not even a mosquito could get close.

Didn’t they see how he dodged that woman who entered with him, who tried to take his arm?

Ethan seemed oblivious to her coldness, explaining, “I promised Natalie Parker I’d accompany her to this reception.”

“I couldn’t very well back out now, so I asked Jackson to come with me.”

“Just wanted to let you know, so you wouldn’t get the wrong idea.”

Clara raised an eyebrow. She knew Ethan was explaining himself, that Jackson was there to avoid any appearance of impropriety. But what did it matter to her?

But the people around them were clearly taken aback.

Mr. Carter… was he actually explaining himself to Ms. Bennett?

“Mr. Carter, do you know Ms. Bennett?”

Henry Lee couldn’t help but ask, his gaze darting between the two..

Remembering the appreciative look he’d given Clara earlier, he felt a sudden chill.

Ethan’s eyes swept coolly over Henry, he hadn’t missed the glint in his eyes when he looked at Clara.

That’s why he’d ditched Natalie and Jackson, rushing over here.

“Yeah, she’s my…”

“We know each other, but not well.”

Clara’s coolly delivered, “We know each other, but not well,” left Ethan’s intended “wife” stuck in his throat, unable to be said or retracted. He knew Clara didn’t want their relationship to be public. Though displeased, he didn’t want to go against her wishes and simply went along with what she said. “Yeah, we met during a project collaboration. Ms. Bennett is very skilled.”

But even as he said it, Ethan’s eyes carried a clear warning and show of dominance.

gave a wry smile.

Henry shuddered, exchanging a glance with the person next to him. After receiving a look that wished him good luck, he Given Mr. Carter’s demeanor, it was clear that he and Ms. Bennett were far from just work acquaintances. Mr. Carter was obviously smitten

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with her.

No

one dared to ask further, but the glances they cast at the two of them became increasingly suggestive.

Clara couldn’t help but notice the chilling atmosphere around her after Ethan’s arrival. She shot him a hard glare, signaling him to not stir up trouble. She then turned to continue answering the question someone had asked earlier.

Ethan looked down at her, a smile playing on his lips.

So this was what Clara was like when she was serious. It was clear that she really loved the field of AI.

A pang of regret

hit him. If only he had tried harder to understand her when they first got married.

If he hadn’t stopped her from working and had even agreed when his grandfather suggested she join Carter Group to do research and development, maybe they wouldn’t be where they are now.

Not far away, Jackson had a clear view of everything and couldn’t help but mutter to Natalie beside him.

“Is Eth falling for Clara? Why is he acting like a peacock, spreading his feathers the moment he stands there?”

Natalie’s face paled. She forced a stiff smile and didn’t respond to Jackson.

Jackson didn’t pay much attention. Noticing people glancing over, he simply raised his hand, signaling for Natalie to take his arm.”Let’s go. No need to stand here as a backdrop. Let’s go say hello to the organizers.”

Natalie mechanically reached out and took Jackson’s arm, but her gaze was glued to Ethan, unable to break away.

Just then, snippets of conversation drifted into her ears.

“So, Natalie isn’t Mr. Carter’s date? I thought he’d changed girlfriends.”

“Come on, I knew it. There’s no way Mr. Carter would be interested in someone involved in leaking secrets.”

Word on the street is the National Security Agency’s been breathing down Apex’s neck lately. Natalie Parker, being the head honcho there, is probably having a rough time.”

“Exactly! The NSA wouldn’t be sniffing around if there wasn’t something fishy, right? Maybe she’s the one who leaked confidential information before.”

Those words felt like needles piercing Natalie’s heart, compounding her already terrible mood and leaving her with absolutely no desire to mingle.

She told Jackson, “I need to hit the ladies’ room,” shook off his arm, and hurried toward the lounge area in the corner of the venue, desperate to catch her breath.

No sooner had she plopped down on the sofa, before she could even calm down, she felt two pairs

of eyes lock onto her.

She looked up to see Robert Anderson and Patricia Anderson striding toward her, both wearing knowing smiles.

“Ms. Parker, I’m Clara Bennett’s uncle. I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Might as well get acquainted. You never know, we might have a chance to work together down the road.”.