"Cynthia Fulton, what do you mean!"
Cynthia looked up and saw Claire Shaw storming into her office, waving off the assistant.
The assistant left, closing the office door, leaving Cynthia and Claire inside.
"You have the nerve to question me? If I hadn’t helped you earlier, would I have provoked Caleb Lockwood?"
At first, Claire was full of anger, but hearing Cynthia’s words, she suddenly felt uneasy.
"So it was Caleb who really brought down your Fulton Family?"
"Who else but him!"
Cynthia couldn’t help but roll her eyes.
She initially thought Claire was a good ally against Serena, but Serena not only remained unscathed but her career kept flourishing.
Now look at her, almost bankrupt due to Caleb, the once respected socialite now drowning in debt.
The more Cynthia thought about it, the angrier she became.
"Claire Shaw, are you truly Caleb’s first love, his one and only? Caleb took us down the Fulton Family to avenge Serena; has he already fallen for her?"
"Impossible!"
Claire denied it vehemently.
However, Claire’s intense reaction seemed laughable to Cynthia.
It’s like the typical response when someone’s sore spot is hit.
Seeing that Cynthia was mocking her, Claire crossed her arms and retorted:
"You couldn’t even hold onto a man; you’re just the same. Now your Fulton Family is on the brink, and Justin Nash never wanted to marry you, now he has a perfect excuse!"
"Claire Shaw!"
Cynthia raised her hand, but Claire caught her wrist.
"Enough, let’s not fight amongst ourselves. Our in-fighting only benefits Serena."
After hearing Claire’s words, Cynthia snorted coldly and withdrew her hand.
Claire was right. Ever since the Fulton Family faced trouble, targeted by Caleb Lockwood, the Nash Family didn’t offer help but instead wanted to break off the engagement.
Cynthia blamed all of this on Serena.
"Right now, we should think carefully about how to bring down Serena. Ultimately, it’s all her fault. What’s the use of seeking revenge on Caleb?"
Cynthia looked at Claire’s concern for Caleb and couldn’t help but sneer.
"What? Are you feeling sorry? Yet your Caleb has his whole heart set on Serena!"
"When I say no, it means no!"
Claire couldn’t help but shout at Cynthia.
She would never believe Caleb took action against the Fulton Family to avenge Serena.
But at the same time, she couldn’t help but be glad that when they hired thugs, it was Cynthia’s doing; she only stood by giving advice, fanning the flames.
Claire took a deep breath, feeling somewhat guilty.
She feared Caleb might uncover the truth.
Cynthia watched Claire, thinking she was still deceiving herself.
She never sent anyone to take revenge on Caleb Lockwood.
Even though Caleb targeted the Fulton Family, she didn’t have the courage to send someone after him.
She merely disclosed some information to the minister of the general department, who begged her not to lay him off, such as Newcross Real Estate being targeted because Caleb wanted to vent his anger on Serena; losing his job was all Serena’s fault.
Cynthia thought that it should have been Serena taking the hit.
Hence, Caleb took the blow for Serena.
Having come this far, she didn’t believe there was still a place for Claire in Caleb’s heart.
Even if there was, it shouldn’t weigh much anymore.
"Claire, I’ve helped you a lot before. Every time I got into trouble, you were hiding behind pretending to live peacefully. You don’t think I’d willingly be a pawn, do you?"
Claire pursed her lips.
She knew Cynthia was displeased with her.
"Alright, this time I’ll take the lead. Do you have any good ideas? As long as we can crush Serena underfoot."
At least, she experienced the danger firsthand.
She saw clearly that if Caleb hadn’t intervened, that knife would have pierced her abdomen.
Their night snack was eaten in silence.
After finishing, Ethan didn’t say aloud that he didn’t want her staying in the hospital to care for Caleb, but his cold demeanor said it all.
For the first time, they parted on a sour note.
In the quiet night, Serena returned to Caleb’s hospital room.
She didn’t tell Ethan that she initially didn’t plan to stay and care for Caleb.
But Patrick Rhodes told her Caleb refused anyone’s care.
Serena instinctively felt Caleb was deliberately forcing her to comply.
Either she stayed, or she’d watch Caleb gravely injured, alone in the hospital.
If she told Ethan about this, he’d definitely guess Caleb’s mind games and try every way to stop her from staying.
In the hospital room, Caleb wasn’t asleep, reading company documents.
"Done dining with your knight in shining armor?"
Without lifting his head, he asked nonchalantly.
"Yes, brought you some porridge too."
Serena lifted the food bag in her hand.
Caleb finally looked up, meeting Serena’s eyes.
His eyes were deep as the night, seeming to have tiny stars glimmering.
"You know I refused anyone taking care of me to force you to stay..."
"I know."
Serena nodded, seeing a complex mix of emotions in Caleb’s eyes.
"And you still chose to stay?"

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