Chapter 427: Chapter 427: Don’t Chicken Out, Just Do It (1)
Raina: "..."
This damn man!
They’ve already signed the divorce agreement, yet here he is acting all flirtatious!
Claire’s gaze flitted between the two of them; there must be something she’s unaware of.
This made her particularly anxious inside.
The atmosphere was somewhat stagnant, and just then, a Hawthorne family bodyguard came in with the retrieved Bobby Lawrence.
Upon seeing Bobby, the oppressive feeling in Claire’s heart instantly dissipated.
"Sis... since there’s nothing else, I’ll take Bobby and head back first."
With that, she took Bobby’s hand and started to leave.
"Wait a minute." Raina blocked Claire’s path and said blandly, "Since this is my eldest son, he should come home with me. What’s the meaning of going with you? What’s the deal? Are you hooked on playing mom, or are you trying to use this child to threaten me?"
"How could I possibly?" Claire’s eyes reddened, looking like she was pitifully misunderstood.
Unfortunately, everyone present had eyes and wasn’t deceived, nor did any hot-blooded hero stand up for her.
Claire felt bitter but could only hold back her tears: "Raina, you’ve misunderstood me. I just thought that since your marriage issues aren’t resolved, you might not feel like taking care of a child, so I wanted to help in the name of family ties."
"Help me?" Raina’s lips curled slightly in sarcasm: "Do you even believe what you’re saying?" After a pause, she continued, "Only a lotus white like you could say something so hypocritical."
"Raina!" Claire was really angry: "How can you say that about me!"
"Or what?" Raina asked earnestly, "How should I address you then?"
"Raina, don’t go too far! My patience has limits!"
Raina’s face darkened slightly, her voice cold: "I ought to be the one saying that. If you know my marriage with Elias isn’t entirely over, you should keep your mouth shut and not provoke me. If I get really upset and withdraw the divorce agreement, your dreams of becoming Mrs. Hawthorne will all be for nothing."
Claire immediately quieted; she was genuinely afraid Raina would go that far.
If that happened, all her efforts would have been in vain!
Elias’s face darkened, showing some displeasure.
Jasper was more straightforward and couldn’t help but say: "Claire, take a cue from a ferret; don’t be a coward, just go for it! Best to jump up and slap my sister-in-law twice, make her mad enough to withdraw the divorce agreement."
Elias glanced over coldly: "Looks like you’re the one who needs a slap."
Noticing the cold gleam in his brother’s eyes, Jasper shrank back a bit, awkwardly said: "I was just saying, Claire isn’t that dumb. She’s dying to become Young Mistress Hawthorne."
Elias furrowed his brow, saying: "What a pity."
Claire: "..."
Claire told herself that no matter what nonsense they spout, she has to face it all with a smile.
But...
Damn it, it’s really infuriating!
Yet, she still had to keep smiling.
But, no matter how well she maintained her composure, no one paid her any attention.
Raina couldn’t be bothered to look at Claire anymore and lowered her head to look at Bobby, who was clinging tightly to Claire, extending her hand towards him: "Come, go home with me."
Bobby was so frightened that he hid behind Claire, peeking at Raina with eyes full of wariness.
Raina didn’t withdraw her hand, her voice slightly subdued: "Didn’t you say you missed me? I’m right here now, and I’m taking you home."
Claire turned to Bobby: "Bobby, your mommy wants to take you home, go with her."
Saying this, she pulled Bobby out and pushed him towards Raina.
"No!" Bobby suddenly pushed Raina away and threw himself back into Claire’s arms: "I don’t want to go with her! I ruined her plans, she’ll definitely mistreat me!"