Chapter 86 Chapter 86
In any other situation, Claire would have slapped the girl for such insolence. But today, she needed information. She swallowed her anger and sighed, a theatrical sound of exhaustion.
“It's not just about Caroline... it's about her choices.” Claire paused dramatically. “Did you know she's been getting involved with a man recently? A dangerous man? Sarinha, have you seen this guy's face?”
Sara's eyes narrowed, but not out of fear. A smug smile curved her pale lips.
“You mean my brother-in-law?”
Claire's expression faltered, as if the ground had shaken beneath her. “What... what did you call him?”
“Brother-in-law,” Sara repeated, clearly enjoying the other woman's reaction. “Of course I've seen him. He's wonderful.”
Sara raised her wrist, pulling back her pajama sleeve to reveal a delicate watch studded with diamonds that caught the light in the room.
“On our first date, my brother-in-law gave me this gift.” Sara caressed the watch. “It's worth a few million, you know? He's handsome, filthy rich, and most importantly, he treats my sister like a queen. They're the perfect couple. Honestly? Only a man like my brother-in-law is worthy of Caroline. Edward never came close to him.”
Claire felt the blood drain from her face. She was in shock, paralyzed.
Millions? On a gift for his girlfriend's sister?
And that title... “Brother-in-law.”
Sara laughed, satisfied with Claire's stunned silence. “Is that what you wanted to tell me? That she's with him? I already know, and I approve. If that's all, you can leave.”
“Sara...” Claire's voice came out shaky, almost a whisper. Panic began to set in. “You call him your brother-in-law?”
Do you realize what that means?
If Sara called him that so naturally, and he spent fortunes on her family...
That meant it wasn't just an affair. They could be married.
And if Caroline was the legitimate wife of that powerful man... Claire was lost.
"Of course I'm sure. My sister and he are legally married. What else should I call him?“ Sara fired back, a glint of triumph in her eyes.
She wanted that despicable woman to know the truth: her sister was not an abandoned victim. Caroline was experiencing a happiness Claire would never know.
”She's a hundred... no, a thousand times happier with him than she ever would be with that piece of trash Edward!
Married?!
The word hit Claire like a physical punch. She staggered backward, her high heels wobbling on the polished floor.
Impossible.
Definitely impossible.
“Sarinha...” Claire's voice faltered, a nervous laugh escaping her lips. “Are you sure about what you're saying? Who put that idea in your head?”
Caroline had broken up with Edward not long ago. How could she be married to another man? And not just any man, but that man?
Sara raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms with satisfaction at the look of despair on her “sister's” face. “My sister told me herself. And you know what?” Sara leaned forward, lowering her voice in a warning tone. “Claire Ford, if you're thinking of using your dirty tricks to hit on my brother-in-law, forget it. He's not a weak idiot like Edward. He only has eyes for Caroline. Give it up.”
Claire's face burned with shame. Being read so easily by a sick girl was humiliating.
But soon, her denial took over. No, that's a lie, she thought. Caroline is lying to the family to save face.
“Do you believe everything Caroline says?” Claire regained her composure, letting out a scornful laugh. “They're not married, you fool. She's just his mistress!”
Claire took a step forward, her voice taking on a venomous tone of false confidence. “I came here precisely to warn you about this. Your sister's relationship with that man is dirty. She was bought. She's a luxury toy, which is an absolute disgrace to our Ford family!”
She saw the fury growing in Sara's eyes, but she continued, relentless: "You don't want to see her sink into the mud, do you? She doesn't listen to me, but maybe she'll listen to you. Convince her to break up with him before he gets tired of her and throws her away. Because that's what rich men do with women like Caroline.
Claire's mind worked quickly to justify her own envy.
How could such an imposing man, with that emperor-like aura, choose Caroline as his wife? Rich men marry for alliances, for power. Claire had to fight tooth and nail, using her fame and career to hold on to Edward.
But Caroline? What did she have? Nothing but a pretty face and debts.
She was good for warming the bed, not for wearing the ring. She was being pampered now, but her discarding was inevitable.
“You're talking nonsense!” Sara's scream echoed through the room, interrupting Claire's delusions. “My sister is not that kind of person! And don't think that everyone is as rotten and self-serving as you, Claire!”
Sara was shaking, not out of fear, but out of pure indignation. “Get out of here!” Get out right now! If you dare open your filthy mouth to talk about my sister again, I swear I won't be responsible for my actions!
“Sarinha, please, be reasonable...” Claire tried to maintain her mask of concern, taking another step forward. “I'm telling the truth, it's for the good of...”
“I TOLD YOU TO GET OUT!”
In one swift motion, Sara grabbed the heavy glass cup from the nightstand and threw it with all her might.
CRASH!
The cup flew inches past Claire's head and shattered against the wall behind her, scattering glass shards and water all over the floor.
Claire screamed, covering her head and backing away in panic. “Sara! Are you crazy?!”
“You haven't left yet?” Sara, her eyes bloodshot with rage, reached for the heavy porcelain vase.
Claire's blood ran cold. That girl was really going to hurt her.
“Y-you wild lunatic!” Claire squealed.
Forgetting all her elegance and arrogance, Claire spun on her heels and ran for the door, fleeing like a frightened animal before the vase flew toward her.
Even with her hand on the doorknob, ready to flee, Claire stopped. She turned around one last time, her expression oscillating between false pity and indignation.
“Sarinha... you may hate me, but everything I said is the absolute truth.” Her voice lowered, becoming grave.
“Your sister knew you would never accept the money if you knew where it came from, so she made up this story about marriage. Think about it: your surgery cost a fortune. Caroline has nothing. She refused my help and Edward's out of pride.”
Claire sighed, shaking her head as if lamenting her cousin's tragic fate.
“Honestly? She did it all out of love for you, but... there's nothing glamorous about being a kept woman. I've said what my conscience told me to say. Now it's up to you to decide whether you want to live at the expense of her dignity or not.”
With that, Claire Ford left the infirmary, leaving behind the heavy silence of doubt.