Chapter 5
Just as Claire was about to explain, Rachel cut in with a mocking laugh, speaking in French, "Charles, is that baby in her belly really yours?
"No way, did she really cheat on you?" Rachel snickered, unable to hold back her laughter.
Charles's expression turned cold all of a sudden.
Claire clutched her bag strap, her breathing growing rapid as the tension mounted in the room.
"Come on, spill it," Rachel teased. "She can't understand French anyway."
Under everyone's gaze, Charles's eyes grew shadowed, his voice icy. "It doesn't matter anymore.
"The baby's gone."
Rachel's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Whoa, that's wild! I heard your mom whipped her 66 times that day, then carried her straight to the bedroom without even calling a doctor. Was that your intention all along?"
Claire's hands trembled as she looked up at Charles, unable to avoid his gaze any longer.
The moment their eyes met, she heard him admit in French, his voice icy and detached.
"So what if I did?
"Whether it was my child or not, once there was doubt, it shouldn't have existed.
"The Fulton Family's bloodline can't be compromised. He could never be born amid rumors and gossip."
In that moment, Claire's world came crashing down.
So she could have saved her baby after all!
Her baby could have survived. There was hope.
It was his father who had killed him with his own hands.
The foreign words, dripping with contempt, struck Claire like flying shards and swirling sand—each syllable tearing her apart, leaving her broken and bleeding inside.
With countless eyes watching her, Claire limped her way into the banquet hall.
That's when it hit her—today was Rachel's welcome-back party.
All the Northbridge socialites were here for one reason: to welcome Rachel Moore back home.
Eleanor held Rachel's hand, her smile warm and affectionate, though a trace of regret lingered in her eyes.
"I've always adored Rachel since she was a kid. Honestly, I've always seen her as the perfect daughter-in-law for our family.
"It's just a shame Rachel and Charles didn't end up together.
"But that's alright. The Fulton Family's doors are always open for you—come by anytime you want."
Eleanor's words were a direct slap in the face to Claire, right in front of everyone.
All eyes turned to Claire with renewed scrutiny.
Claire nervously avoided their gazes, which only made Eleanor's annoyance grow.
Eleanor eyed Claire up and down with obvious disdain, then leaned in and muttered harshly, "What on earth are you wearing?
"You've been to plenty of banquets—how is it you still can't figure out how to dress yourself properly?
"Or did you do this deliberately?"
Claire quickly tried to explain, "Eleanor, it's not like that. I just happened to wear the same dress as Rachel today."
Rachel suddenly laughed, cutting her off. "Mrs. Fulton, you're not going to blame me for this, are you?
"Everyone says wearing the same outfit isn't a big deal—it's only awkward if you're the one who looks ugly and cheap. I thought you changed because you felt too shabby and out of place.
"But I didn't expect you to dress like this just to pretend to be innocent and make me look bad in front of everyone.
"Isn't this a bit much? Don't act like the Fulton Family is so stingy with you that you can't even wear something decent.
"Even if you didn't wear the same dress, don't tell me you don't have anything else to wear?"
Rachel's smile was sugary sweet, but every word dripped poison, leaving Claire at a total loss for words.
Eleanor was livid. "Unbelievable! Claire, I always thought you were a good girl, but you're getting more and more out of hand.
"Showing up to a banquet dressed like this is an insult to your hosts. You've made both the Fulton Family and the Moore Family look bad!
"If I don't punish you today, how am I supposed to face the Moores?"
With a sharp wave of Mrs. Fulton's hand, the bodyguards slammed Claire down onto the floor, pinning her with brutal force.
Her head crashed against the icy floor, a wave of piercing pain radiating through her skull.
"Dressed like that, you're an eyesore to everyone here. Go kneel at the door in disgrace!" Eleanor ordered.
"Whenever someone passes by, you kowtow and apologize. Don't even think about getting up until I give you permission!"
Claire's eyes blazed with fury, as if she could burn a hole right through them.
Eleanor was hell-bent on crushing her spirit, dragging her name through the mud and humiliating her in front of everyone.
Claire's chest heaved with rage as she grabbed Charles's sleeve, her voice hoarse and desperate.
"Charles! You're right here, you—"