Chapter 584

Upton was curled up on the floor, dry heaving, while Mabel screamed and rushed over to him.

Finnegan stood frozen, his eyes locked onto Claire. His expression shifted from shock to regret, then to despair, and finally settled into a twisted greed.

"Claire," his voice trembled, "Jett is only thirteen."

Claire's gaze was icy. "Having parents like you is Jett's greatest misfortune."

Zoey had already pulled out her phone. "Security, Coral Villa, Building A. We need to clean out some trash."

Within two minutes, four burly men in resort uniforms entered the room.

The leader nodded respectfully to Zoey. "Ms. Spencer, how would you like us to handle this?"

Zoey smiled. "Throw them out."

The bodyguards didn't hesitate. They lifted the still-heaving Upton, restrained the crying Mabel, and gestured for Finnegan to leave.

Finnegan struggled and turned back, tears in his eyes, this time genuine, for the eight hundred million dollars that were now forever out of reach.

"Claire! You can't do this! I'm your father!" His voice was cut off as the door closed.

The suite fell silent, save for the gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore.

Claire stood still, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Joseph immediately stepped forward and embraced her, feeling her slender frame quiver.

"It's over now," he whispered, kissing the top of her head, his voice tender, a stark contrast to his earlier demeanor.

Zoey knelt to clean up the spilled fruit platter. "Sorry, I messed up your carpet."

Claire shook her head and lifted her face from Joseph's chest. "Zoe, thank you."

Her eyes were red but dry. "I think I need to call my mom."

"Go ahead," Zoey nodded understandingly. "If you need a drink, I'll have Henry bring his best wine."

Claire managed a weak smile and walked towards the bedroom.

Joseph wanted to follow, but Zoey stopped him. "Let her be alone for a bit."

The businesswoman's eyes softened with rare tenderness. "Claire is stronger than you think."

In the bedroom, Claire sat in the recliner by the floor-to-ceiling window, moonlight casting a pale glow on her face.

She took a few deep breaths before dialing the familiar number.

"Mom, it's me," Claire's voice was calm. "How are Xyla's test results?"

A gentle voice came from the other end. "The doctor says she's recovering well. She can be discharged in half a month. How are you? Is Marigoldia fun? Is Joseph treating you well?"

Claire looked out at the starry sky. "He's great, but..." She paused. "Dad brought Mabel and Jett to Marigoldia, too. We ran into them today."

There was a brief silence on the other end. "Did he give you a hard time?"

"He demanded two hundred million dollars as a bride price from Joseph."

Claire said directly, "I refused. In the end, with my friend's help, I paid a million dollars to sever the father-daughter relationship."

Surprisingly, Evangeline didn't get angry or shocked. She just sighed softly. "It's for the best. Your father has been getting worse over the years."

She paused. "I'll transfer the million dollars to you tomorrow."

"No need," Claire's nose tingled. "Just take care of yourself and Xyla. I don't really need the money..."

"No way!" Evangeline interrupted her, unusually firm. "No matter how much, it's your money."

Her voice softened. "Claire, I just want you to be happy. Joseph seems good, better than I expected."

Claire finally smiled, tears silently falling. "He's really good, truly."

After hanging up, Claire sat by the window for a while longer.

The door opened gently, and Joseph walked in with a glass of milk, followed by Zoey with a tray of snacks and Henry carrying a bottle of wine.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Zoey made an exaggerated bow, "the mood-breaking squad reporting for duty!"

Claire chuckled and took the milk from Joseph. "Thank you."

Henry, who rarely spoke, added, "Joseph has always been protective."

He glanced at Joseph. "Didn't expect him to stay that way as an adult."

Joseph, far from ashamed, proudly hugged Claire. "Claire is mine."

They laughed together. Outside, the moonlight remained gentle, the waves softly caressing the coral reef, as if blessing a newlywed couple and bidding farewell to an old era.

Moonlight poured over Marigoldia's water villas. The waves gently lapped at the wooden pier, creating a soothing rhythm, like nature's most tender lullaby.

Zoey expertly opened a bottle of wine, the deep red liquid swirling in the crystal glasses.

"This wine is more precious than some people's conscience." she admired the glass against the light.

Claire took the glass, feeling the coolness of the rim with her fingertips.

She looked out at the endless starry sky through the window and softly asked, "Are Gabriel and Travis asleep?"

"They're sound asleep."

Zoey sipped her wine with a smile. "We brought them back when we went to get the wine. Gabriel and Travis are already dozing off."

She pointed to another villa nearby. "There are four bodyguards taking turns watching them. Not even a crab could sneak in."

Henry sat quietly, his long fingers gently tapping the glass.

The business mogul was dressed casually in a linen shirt, the collar open, looking particularly relaxed in the moonlight.

He occasionally refilled the ladies' glasses, his movements elegant, like performing a ritual.

Joseph brought a plate of fresh fruit and placed it on the glass table.

"It said it's best to eat something before drinking." He said gently, his fingers brushing Claire's shoulder.

Claire looked up at Joseph and smiled, her eyes reflecting the stars and candlelight.

Despite the day's confrontation with Finnegan, Claire felt an unusual calmness.

Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was the presence of those who truly loved her.

"To freedom," Zoey suddenly raised her glass, her eyes sparkling mischievously.

"To friendship," Joseph added.

"To..." Claire paused, her gaze sweeping over each face. "To us."

The crisp clink of glasses blended with the sound of the waves.

The wine slid down their throats, carrying the rich aroma of oak barrels and the depth of time. Claire closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of the alcohol slowly flow through her veins.

"Do you regret it?" Zoey suddenly asked, her eyes clear despite the wine.

Claire opened her eyes and looked at the starry sky outside. "I don't regret it."

Her voice was soft but firm. "Like this wine, the bitterness comes before the sweetness."

Henry, who rarely spoke, added, "Some people are destined to be just blood relations."

His gaze was profound. "True family is a choice."