Chapter 108
Chapter 108
Chapter 108 Stop Spoiling Her “I think this matter…” Waldron raised his eyebrows, looking at Claudia, “is feasible.” Seeing everyone looking somewhat moved, Claudia couldn’t help but feel nervous. When she initially married Edmond, it was truly out of love, but now… Horace was indeed a good man, but she simply had no intention of remarrying. Horace glanced at her, noticing her unease, and understood that some things couldn’t be rushed. “I was merely expressing my thoughts, there’s no need to make a decision right now. Life is long, I can wait. Miss Seraphina can also take more time to think it over, there’s no need to give me an answer right now.” Hearing his words, Claudia breathed a sigh of relief. She had actually clearly expressed her thoughts, but she couldn’t withstand her family’s penchant for gossip. In the past, she was just Claudia, a woman from a simple family background, and her marriage was her own decision. But now, she was a member of the Friedan family. In wealthy families, marriages were often tied to interests. She was afraid that she might end up getting married for the second time in a muddle. The other members of the Friedan family also noticed her nervousness and decided not to continue the conversation on that topic. Seeing the atmosphere quiet down, Derrick suddenly said to Thomas, “Dad, Elva wants to study with Mr. Moore. We should still have a spot available, right?” No sooner had he finished speaking than Ervin slightly furrowed his brows, and Waldron looked at him with even more dissatisfaction. Why bring up this matter again? Hadn’t it been decided to give the only spot to Claudia? What was the meaning of bringing it up again in front of my father?
Claudia raised an eyebrow, looking at Derrick with great interest. She wasn’t surprised that Derrick brought up the matter again, she was Just surprised that Elva hadn’t given up yet. “Derrick, that’s not fair of you. You’ve already given the spot to Claudia, is there really a need to ask again?” Waldron said, rolling his eyes, his tone impatient. Derrick pursed his lips tightly. It was Elva who had cried for this spot, especially after hearing that the spot had been given to Claudia, she even threatened to give up the surgery. He asked now in the hope that Thomas could secure an extra spot, without considering anything else.
Thomas was also pondering over this matter. In the past, it was always Elva who went for further studies. It was unreasonable that once Seraphina returned, Elva no longer had the opportunity to further her studies. This was indeed unfair to Elva. But now, the spot had already been given to Claudia, unless… He glanced at Claudia, but before he could speak, Emily’s voice rang out: “Since the spot has already been given to Seraphina, there’s no need to keep asking about it.” “Let Seraphina go for further studies, I’ll explain to Elva,” Emily said, then turned to Derrick and added lightly, “Elva relies on you too much, you should spoil her less.” Derrick pursed his lips, his gaze as cold as ice. Having said so much, any further attempt to fight for Elva would be in vain. “Just received news, the Lamont family is holding a press conference tomorrow, and there’s a recognition banquet in the evening.” Ervin forwarded a message to their phones, “Are we going or not?” As soon as Ervin finished speaking, everyone turned to look at Claudia. There was a significant polarization in the news at that time. Some people sympathized with her, while others criticized her harshly.
Under the concerned gaze of the Friedan family, Claudia managed a bitter smile in her heart, revealing nothing on her face. Her red lips parted slightly, and she said softly, “Go ahead.” Why didn’t he go? She didn’t explain that she minded, that she had backed off. Since he had let go, he should not have feared the whispers and rumors of the outside world. Go! I had to go! “Are you really going?” Waldron ásked again, his gaze fixed on her intently. Claudia nodded. “Then our whole family will go together.” Ervin laughed. Since she wasn’t afraid, he wasn’t worried either. The presence of the Friedan family would be a show of support for her. Horace, who was standing nearby and had heard the entire conversation, said softly, “I’ll go too.” Since it was Edmond who was hosting the “wedding banquet”, he simply had to go and see it. The next day, at the Lamont family’s suburban estate. Edmond stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the vehicles coming and going outside the door, his thoughts entirely consumed by the phone call. “Mr. Lamont, we can’t find out how far along Claudia is in her pregnancy. It seems like it’s being deliberately kept secret, unless we hack into the hospital’s system,” the person on the other end of the phone sounded somewhat helpless. “Your ex-wife seems to be no ordinary woman. There’s hardly anything we can’t find out, and if we can’t, it means that the other party’s capabilities are stronger than ours.” Edmond’s cold gaze dropped, he murmured, “Understood.” After hanging up the phone, Everett, who had been sitting next to him, was filled with confusion, “Could it be that the Friedan family is deliberately hiding something?” Speaking of Claudia’s background, the only thing behind her was the Friedan family.
But the Friedan family didn’t have such power either, they couldn’t even control the matters of the hospital. A coldness settled between Edmond’s brows, a hint of fog slowly veiling the depths of his eyes. No matter who wanted to hide it, it was clear that they were guarding against him. Everett looked at him, his smile cryptic. “Actually, I’ve known about Claudia being pregnant for quite some time now,” he said. Edmond looked at him, his gaze icy cold. Everett shrugged, spreading his hands: “But I didn’t see the need to tell you, since you two are already divorced. Besides, you both have children now, so you’re even. No one owes anyone anything.” “Do you know who the father of her child is?” Edmond asked, his tone icy. “I have no idea!” Everett said helplessly, “Only Claudia probably knows who the child’s father is. But didn’t you say that you two never had a relationship? So, the child can’t possibly be yours.” Edmond pursed his lips, remaining silent, his eyes slightly squinted. Everett thought of Abel and asked curiously, “So Abel, he’s your child with Rosalie, right?” Unexpectedly, it hadn’t been long before the child was about to acknowledge his ancestry and Edmond’s indifferent voice rang out, “He is a child of the family.” The child of the Lamont family wasn’t necessarily his child Upon hearing this, Everett immediately thought of a possibility “Could he be…” The final words were left unsaid. Seeing Edmond’s calm demeanor, he found the answer in his heart. “You.” Everett’s eyes were somewhat red. Ever since Tristen’s death, Edmond had become a different person. He had transformed from a carefree play boy into a man shouldering the fate of his family. And now, even his former wife had betrayed him. Once he truly acknowledged Abel as his son, his life was firmly bound by the Lamont family, and he could never break free again. When would he be able to live for himself?
Everett had no answer. *** The Lamont family’s dressing room. As soon as Rosalie wheeled Elva in, the makeup artists swarmed around them, “Are your makeup artists reliable?” Elva asked skeptically, glancing at the makeup artists, The Friedan family’s makeup artists were all high- paid professionals, and it was uncertain whether the Clayton family could afford them. Thinking about this, Elva regretted not bringing the makeup artist of the Friedan family along. “Don’t worry.” Rosalie patted her shoulder in reassurance. “By the way, will your brother and his family come?” This time it was Abel’s recognition ceremony, and of course, Rosalie hoped that as many people as possible would attend. Only then could Abel’s identity be firmly established. Although Edmond never mentioned marrying her again, wouldn’t marrying her be just around the corner as long as he acknowledged Abel? This time, Rosalie’s heart was at ease “Derrick said the whole family would come,” Elva mentioned, lifting her chin with a hint of pride. “Rosalie, their attendance is all because of my influence.” Upon hearing that the Friedan family would be coming, Rosalie was overcome with elation. After the collaboration between the Clayton family and the Friedan family became public, many companies silently took sides and distanced themselves from the Clayton family, refusing to cooperate with them. If the Friedan family could come this time, it would dispel some rumors. As long as the Friedan family was willing to take this step, she could clear her name. “Elva, it’s really great that your family could come,” Rosalie joyfully grabbed Elva’s hand, “I thought they wouldn’t come today because they were helping Claudia. You’re amazing!” 82