Chapter 152: Azure Oath

Chapter 152: Azure Oath

Rowan had been about to say that if Vincent truly liked Claire, he wouldn't let internet trolls attack her without any protective measures.

But Vincent kicked her off the production?

If it was because of Claire, wouldn't that be a form of protection?

She suddenly felt uneasy.

Her assistant probably guessed what she wanted to say. "True, but I just feel like something's off about this whole thing. It's not normal, don't you think?"

Hearing her assistant's words, Rowan grew even more anxious.

Yes, it was too abnormal!

Back at The Blackwell Mansion, Brooke was extremely surprised. "Rowan, why are you suddenly back?"

"Production shut down." Rowan didn't dare say she'd been fired.

Ever since the production officially announced her as the female lead, her family had signed her to three endorsement deals.

If word got out that she'd been kicked off the production, they'd definitely make her pay breach of contract penalties.

Since the production hadn't issued an announcement yet, she could only hide it one day at a time.

"How could production shut down?"

"I don't know either."

"When will it resume?"

Rowan felt guilty. "Not sure, waiting for notice."

Brooke sensed something was off but couldn't put her finger on what. She pressed further, "Did the entire production shut down?"

Rowan thought Brooke suspected her and looked over warily. Only after confirming Brooke wasn't suspicious did she nod.

Hearing it was the entire production that shut down, Brooke inexplicably felt relieved, though she didn't know why.

She immediately showed concern. "Since production's shut down, rest well for a few days. Look at you—filming day and night on set, you've lost weight."

"Okay."

"Oh, by the way, a streamer invited me for a live interview tomorrow night. I'm guessing she saw today's trending topics and wants to ask about Claire. Let's discuss in a bit how to handle it for maximum effect."

Rowan didn't respond immediately, her assistant's words echoing in her mind.

What if Vincent really did like Claire?

Given Claire's hatred toward the Blackwell family, wouldn't she use Vincent's influence to ruthlessly retaliate against them?

Though this was just speculation, better safe than sorry!

But if it was true, rather than taking hits passively, she might as well take another gamble.

At this thought, power suddenly surged in Rowan's eyes. "Mom, contact that streamer and change it to the day after tomorrow night. Tomorrow I'll think carefully about the interview content."

"Good, good, good." Brooke happily agreed.

Rowan had gained over a hundred thousand followers today. After the live interview drew more attention, she might gain even more followers.

---

Orsina Bags & Shoes.

Ronin's arrest, combined with Sarah and Vincent's personal appearance at the company, exploded like thunder throughout the entire organization.

First, getting Ronin thrown in jail was practically a public service. No matter how internet trolls attacked Claire, in the employees' hearts, Claire was a god-like figure.

More importantly, despite online accusations that Claire stole Daphne's boyfriend, nothing happened—she remained firmly seated as General Manager.

Suddenly, rumors flew everywhere, filled with all kinds of speculation about Claire's true identity.

Those close to Joan privately asked her about Claire's real background.

Joan only insisted she didn't know.

She truly didn't.

She'd heard Sarah call Claire "baby" with her own ears, the tone extraordinarily affectionate—her own mother had never called her that warmly.

But that was all she knew. What their relationship actually was, she had no idea.

The only thing she could confirm was Claire and Vincent's romantic relationship.

---

After Sarah and Vincent left, Valentin came to Claire's office.

"Ms. Blackwell, I just heard—the people involved in that illegal online lending operation were also taken away by police. My girlfriend and some other victims went to the police station to give statements."

"Thank you so much. I can never repay your kindness." Valentin was genuinely moved, unable to hide his respect and gratitude toward Claire.

Claire smiled lightly. "How can you say you can't repay me? Isn't your design work the repayment?"

"But that's nothing compared to what you've given me."

"Without your cooperation, Ronin and those people wouldn't have been caught so quickly. That's your contribution too." Claire reassured him. "Don't feel pressured, just work hard."

Just then, Cordelia called. Valentin expressed his gratitude again before leaving the office.

"Claire, why haven't you struck back at that hypocrite Rowan yet? I want to finish her off myself."

"Murder's illegal."

Cordelia was unfazed. "Then I'll just cripple her. How dare she say you found some old man as a sugar daddy—I'll find a roomful of old men and send them to her."

Hearing Cordelia's fuming words, Claire couldn't help but laugh. "What's the rush?"

"She just got kicked off the production—how could she possibly accept that? She'll definitely make another move. Let her be arrogant for a couple more days."

"What about Daphne? She's scheming behind the scenes—we're just letting it go?"

Claire smiled lightly. "Since when do you not know me?"

Daphne was skilled at manipulating people's hearts. She had a good image in the eyes of the Montague family elders. They needed to let her expose her own flaws before they could strike a fatal blow.

Cordelia nodded. "Fair enough, but hurry up. I'm not patient, I can't wait long."

---

The day of the banquet.

Claire left the company at noon, picked up Nathaniel from the hospital, and they returned to The Montague Manor together.

This was Nathaniel's first time at The Montague Manor. Its grandeur was unlike anything he'd ever seen.

Thinking about how Claire should have grown up here but instead suffered so much at the Blackwell family—and even now that she'd left them, they still damaged her reputation in every way—his heart filled with guilt.

"Nathaniel, welcome, welcome." Sarah greeted him with a beaming smile.

"Mrs. Montague, hello."

"Baby, I'll take care of Nathaniel. You go get your makeup done quickly—the styling team's been waiting for ages."

So Claire went to the dressing room.

Sarah had hired a top-tier makeup team to style her.

First came beauty treatments and skin prep.

Then came wardrobe and makeup.

Claire felt like a doll being fussed over by the makeup artists.

The gown was one Sarah had commissioned from a renowned designer earlier.

The style was sleek and simple, the entire bodice and hem encrusted with diamonds, with a subtle V-neck and a daring open back.

It made her neck look delicate, her beautiful collarbones like a pair of butterfly wings about to take flight.

Just as she finished putting on the gown, Sarah walked in.

Seeing Claire glowing with beauty in the mirror, her face filled with joy and pride. "My baby is simply the most beautiful girl in the entire world."

The stylist beside her said with a smile, "Mrs. Montague, I've done styling for many female celebrities in the entertainment industry. Ms. Montague is the most perfect girl I've ever seen—she must have inherited all of your and Mr. Montague's best features."

Claire thought the stylist was being overly flattering, but it didn't stop Sarah from smiling with crinkled eyes. Clearly, the stylist's words had touched her heart.

Claire sat before the vanity mirror as they worked on her makeup and hair for nearly an hour.

Next came the jewelry. Claire closed her eyes and leaned back in the chair, waiting.

"Baby, this necklace is perfect for your gown today." Vincent appeared in the dressing room at some point.

The stylists, somehow, had already left the room.

He held a black velvet jewelry box in his hand. With one glance, Claire recognized it as the Azure Oath, worth $200 million.