Chapter 3
Claire's POV
The dinner ended badly.
I rushed to the restroom and threw up violently.
My stomach felt like it was on fire, the pain making me unable to straighten up.
The woman in the mirror was pale, her makeup smudged-as wretched as a ghost.
Claire, you're so pathetic.
I cursed myself internally.
When I came out after composing myself, it was pouring rain outside.
The autumn rain was bone-chilling, cold wind whipping dead leaves against the glass doors.
Ashton pulled up in his car and rolled down the window. "Get in. I'll drive you home."
"No need, Mr. Reid. The subway is very convenient for me." I didn't want to cause him more trouble.
He'd already offended Damien Barrett by defending me in the private room.
Ashton sighed helplessly. "Claire, this is a private club. The nearest subway station is three miles away. Are you planning to walk in this?"
I froze.
As I hesitated, a black Maybach tore through the rain curtain and slowly stopped at the entrance.
The windows were closed tight-I couldn't see who was inside.
But I recognized that license plate.
It was Damien's car.
The car door opened. The driver got out with a black umbrella and respectfully opened the rear door.
A gleaming leather shoe touched the ground, followed by those long legs wrapped in dress pants.
Damien Barrett got out of the car.
A woman was nestled in his arms.
She wore a white Chanel suit, her long hair flowing over her shoulders, exuding an elegant and noble air. The limited-edition crocodile leather bag in her hand was worth five years of my salary.
Natalie Sterling.
His fiancée.
The two of them nestled intimately together. Natalie looked up at him, smiling as she said something. Though Damien's face was expressionless, he leaned slightly to shield her from the drifting rain.
That scene was so dazzling it made me want to cry.
I instinctively shrank back into the shadows.
But Natalie had sharp eyes and still spotted me.
"Isn't that Miss Davis from earlier?"
Natalie's voice was sweet, carrying an innocent cruelty. "Damien, look-she doesn't seem to have an umbrella. Should we give her a ride?"
Damien followed her gaze.
Our eyes met in the air.
His expression was indifferent, as if looking at an irrelevant stranger.
"Not on our way."
Three simple words-a death sentence.
Natalie covered her mouth and laughed softly. "That's true. Miss Davis probably lives somewhere quite far away. Well, we'll be going then. Goodbye, Miss Davis."
The two turned and got in the car.
The Maybach started up, its taillights cutting two red streaks through the air. Without mercy, it crushed through puddles on the ground, splashing mud all over me, then sped away.
I stood there, freezing all over.
"Get in."
Ashton's voice came again, this time with undeniable firmness.
I didn't argue anymore and pulled open the door to get in.
The car was warm with the heater running, but I couldn't seem to warm up at all.
"Don't take what he said to heart." Ashton handed me a bottle of water. "Damien's personality has changed drastically these past few years. He's ruthless in business-treats everyone the same way."
I clutched the water bottle and smiled bitterly. "I know."
I was the one who turned him into this.
I didn't blame him.
I only hated this fate that had never given me even one chance to catch my breath.
The car pulled up to my shabby apartment building.
I thanked him and was about to get out when Ashton suddenly called out to me.
"Claire."
He looked at me, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself. "That project... Barrett Corporation specifically requested a different person in charge. If you don't want to do it, I can arrange a transfer for you."
My hand tightened on the door handle.
The ICU cost an astronomical amount per day.
A transfer meant a pay cut, which meant my grandmother's oxygen tube might get pulled.
I turned back, my eyes determined. "No need, Mr. Reid. I've been working on this project for six months. I can handle it."
Ashton looked at me deeply and sighed. "Alright. Call me anytime if you need anything."