Chapter 7

Time dragged on, and the industry summit finally kicked off as scheduled.

Claire arrived right on time, only to spot someone who had absolutely no business being there, Lily.

Lily was a total newbie in tech, didn't know the first thing about the industry. Everyone at this summit was either a big shot or a rising star. There was no way Lily should even be allowed through the door.

Claire scanned the room and, sure enough, spotted James. He was leading one of the industry bigwigs over, ready to introduce him to Lily.

Sure enough, Lily was there because James had brought her. At events like this, everyone brought their company's top executives or star employees. Bringing Lily didn't just fail to impress, it actually made people question his professionalism.

James had always guarded his company's reputation like it was his lifeblood.

But now, for Lily's sake, he was willing to risk it all and lower himself. In all the ten years Claire had known him, she'd never seen him do anything like this for anyone.

Claire let out a self-mocking smile and looked down. When she lifted her head again, her expression was flawless, calm, unreadable, and utterly unbreakable.

Just then, someone joked with James, "Mr. Keaton, is this your fiancée? She's so much more gentle and beautiful than the rumors say."

Lily's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but she didn't correct them. Almost as if she liked being mistaken for James's fiancée.

James hurried to explain, "No, she's only my assistant."

The person apologized, and James just smiled and waved it off. Neither of them noticed Lily biting her lip in frustration at his words.

James was busy chatting with his peers, his eyes darting around the venue.

Suddenly, he spotted a breathtaking beauty standing quietly in the corner. She lit up the whole place like a diamond, impossible to ignore.

When she turned around, James's smile dropped instantly. It was Claire.

James marched straight over to Claire, grabbed her arm before she could react, and whispered, "Wow, you really went all out chasing me here? So, you finally admit you messed up? Apologize to Lily, be humble, and I'll let it slide."

Claire shot him a cold glare, jerked her arm back with clear disdain, and said, "Quit harassing me."

With that, she spun around and walked away, leaving him no chance to chase after her.

Left standing there, James quietly clenched his fists. As Lily joined him, he said, "Go find out how Claire got in here."

Lily had actually noticed Claire long ago, but now she put on an act of surprise. "Claire's here and didn't even say hi to us? She's still mad, huh. Do you think my thing will still go smoothly?"

James watched Claire with a cold gaze as she floated through the ballroom like a social butterfly, every guy in the room unable to take their eyes off her.

James flexed and clenched his fist, then said, "Don't worry. Everything's going according to plan."

Lily left with a sly smile, but soon came back. "I asked the organizers. She's listed as your fiancée for this event. She must be here to swallow her pride and make peace with you, so why isn't she even saying a word?"

James didn't answer. He just stared at Claire's back, his gaze flickering with emotions impossible to read.

After a while, the organizers announced that lunch was ready. Claire found herself seated right across from James.

From the moment they sat down, James and Lily kept making a scene, never giving Claire a moment's peace.

Every time Claire reached for a dish, James would grab it first and then lovingly put it in Lily's plate.

When Lily complained that the AC was blowing right on her, James had the waiter adjust it; so now all the cold air was aimed right at Claire.

By the end, everyone around them couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

"Didn't they say she's not his fiancée? So why are they flaunting their affection like this?"

"She's just his mistress. They're not even married yet, and he's already being so bold. Does he even care about his fiancée?"

"Care? I bet he's never cared about her at all."

Claire's hand trembled as she held her fork, and it slipped from her grasp, clattering to the floor.

She bent down to pick it up, and as she was about to sit back up, she caught a glimpse of something under the table across from her.

She froze, like someone had hit the pause button on her life; she couldn't tear her eyes away from what was happening under the table. Lily was hiking up her skirt, her foot slowly rubbing against James's calf.

Claire slowly straightened up, instinctively glancing at James. But he wasn't looking at her at all. His eyes were locked on Lily, a smile of indulgence tugging at his lips.

Claire's heart clenched, and she unconsciously tightened her grip on the fork.

Someone nearby pointed at her hand in shock. Claire stared blankly at her palm, only then realizing blood was dripping from her hand.

She quickly tossed the knife and fork aside and got up to deal with her injury.

James didn't even glance her way the whole time. He was busy making eyes at Lily, the two of them exchanging flirty looks.