Could she really pull it off? That question haunted her all the way home.
As soon as she walked through the door, she heard Beck's furious roar.
"Flynn, how could you stab me in the back like that?"
Claire's heart skipped a beat, and she hurried into the living room.
Beck's face was flushed with anger, while Flynn stood there, looking like a deer caught in headlights.
"Mr. Murphy, I swear I didn't mean to! Mr. Gonzalez forced me. He had a knife to my throat and made me set you up. I had no choice!" Flynn's voice was shaky, on the verge of tears.
Beck was trembling with rage, pointing at Flynn but too furious to speak.
Claire watched the scene in shock, a wave of anger rising within her.
Dennis, how could you stoop so low to hurt Beck! She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.
Sensing the tension, Flynn quickly made his exit.
Beck sighed deeply as he watched Flynn leave, then turned to Claire.
"Claire, you need to stay away from Dennis from now on."
Claire just nodded silently, not trusting herself to speak.
She really wanted nothing more to do with Dennis.
Meanwhile, in a quiet study at the Thomas Villa, under the soft glow of a lamp, Raymond was reading quietly with Melinda.
"Raymond," Melinda suddenly broke the silence, looking up with curiosity and anticipation in her eyes, "Do you think Grandpa is watching over us right now?"
Raymond was momentarily taken aback, then smiled gently.
He softly held Melinda's hand, his deep eyes filled with tenderness and determination.
"Of course, Melinda." He then leaned down and kissed her forehead lightly.
They smiled at each other, the air filled with a sense of happiness.
As night fell, the entire Thomas Villa was enveloped in a peaceful night.
When Melinda got up to get a drink of water, she was surprised to find the lights in the hall still on.
Puzzled, she walked over and saw Raymond sitting alone on the couch, holding a glass of wine, staring blankly ahead.
"Raymond, what's wrong?" Melinda asked softly, her voice full of concern.
She sat down beside him, gently holding his hand.
Raymond didn't speak, just hugged Melinda tightly, his tears silently falling onto her shoulder, soaking her clothes and her heart.
Melinda felt a pang of heartache. She hugged Raymond tightly, using her warmth to soothe his emotions.
She had promised Larry that no matter what happened, she would stay by his side and face everything together.
"Raymond, don't be sad. Sam and I will always be here with you," Melinda said softly, her voice filled with determination and love.
Eventually, Raymond fell into a deep sleep in Melinda's arms.
His face still bore traces of tears, but his brow had relaxed, as if all his pain and anxiety had been melted away by Melinda's warmth.
Melinda watched him with a heart full of tenderness, staying by his side all night.
She knew that no matter what difficulties and challenges lay ahead, they would get through them together.
The next morning, Raymond woke up and walked into the living room, hearing Melinda talking gently to Sam.
Sam looked up at the sound of footsteps and, seeing it was Raymond, immediately dropped his toys and ran over, throwing himself into Raymond's arms, his eyes slightly red.
Raymond hugged him tightly, gently patting his back, and whispered, "What's wrong? I'm here."
Melinda walked over to Raymond, leaning on his shoulder. Raymond put his arm around her, and the three of them stood in the bright light of the living room, holding each other tightly.
Meanwhile, Dennis stood at the Murphy family's front door.
Dressed in a sharp, tailored suit, his face wore its usual cold expression, but his eyes held a rare softness.
However, this softness didn't last long.
The door opened, and Sabrina stood there, looking at him warily.
Her eyes were full of hostility, as if he were an enemy.
"Dennis, what are you doing here?" Sabrina's tone was unwelcoming. "You're not welcome here."
Dennis was taken aback. He hadn't expected Claire's family to be so hostile towards him.
He tried to keep his tone calm. "I'm here to see Claire."
"Claire's not home, and you shouldn't come back," Sabrina said, starting to close the door.
Dennis blocked the door with his hand. "Please, tell me where Claire is."
"Why should I tell you where she is?" Sabrina's tone grew more annoyed.
"Dennis, I'm warning you, stay away from Claire. Your underhanded tactics bankrupted my company and left us in debt. Do you think we don't know? Even if you paid back the money later, we don't owe you any gratitude."
Beck came over, urging Sabrina to close the door, not wanting to engage with Dennis any further. His eyes were also filled with caution and hostility.
Dennis suddenly remembered the ruthless methods he had used to acquire the company. His heart sank, realizing that Claire's refusal to take his calls might be related to this.
At that moment, Claire was unaware of any of this. She had gone to the hospital to retrieve her lost phone.
When she turned it on, the screen showed fifty missed calls, all from Dennis.
She frowned as Dennis's call came in again.
"Claire, where are you?" Dennis's voice was urgent.
"I'm at work. Don't contact me again," Claire replied curtly.
"Work? Aren't you off today?" Dennis's tone was puzzled.
"None of your business," Claire retorted.
Dennis was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "The coffee shop next to the Thomas Group. Let's meet and talk. I'll be waiting."
Claire hesitated but eventually agreed.
She hung up, took a deep breath, and headed to the coffee shop.
Claire arrived first, sitting by the window, watching people hurry by outside, her emotions in turmoil.
Soon, Dennis walked in.
Seeing Claire, his eyes lit up, and he quickly walked over.
"Claire..." Dennis began, but Claire cut him off.
"Dennis, did you use underhanded tactics to take my dad's company and almost get him jailed?" Claire demanded angrily.
Dennis was taken aback by her directness.
He nodded without hesitation. "Yes."
"Why did you do it?" Claire's voice was filled with confusion.
"Was it because of that family heirloom?"
Dennis replied calmly, "Yes, I was too impulsive back then. I'm willing to make amends."
"Amends? Do you think money can make everything right, that you can decide others' fates?" Claire scoffed.
Dennis sighed, asking coolly, "What do you want then?"
"I..." Claire paused, taking a deep breath. "I have something to tell you."
"What is it?" Dennis looked at her, his eyes filled with curiosity.
They fell silent, but a pair of eyes was watching them intently.
Claire steadied herself and said softly, "I lost your family heirloom. It's gone for good."
Dennis was stunned, not expecting Claire to say that.
He was initially furious, but seeing Claire's face, he couldn't help but soften.