Claire paced back and forth inside the house, feeling anxious. She couldn't let Henry find out that she was behind what happened to Chantel, or it would be a disaster. If he decided to sue her, things could get really bad for her and her mother.
"How dare Chantel hit me in the face?" she muttered angrily.
"That's not the main problem right now," her mother interrupted. "Chantel can be dealt with later if that's what you want, but the real issue is Henry. He's planning to sue you and Andrew. We need to figure out how to stop that."
Claire turned to her mother, her expression cold. "Mom, you're only worried because you don't want this to backfire on you, not because you actually care about me or Andrew. But don't worry. I'll find a way out of this. I'm not going to jail."
Her mother looked at her curiously. "What exactly is your plan?"
Claire gave a sly smile. "Just wait and see, Mom."
Meanwhile, at Andrew's office, his frustration was evident as he stormed in, barely acknowledging the greetings from his staff. He headed straight for his office, shutting the door behind him. Moments later, his secretary, Sharon, entered, concern etched on her face.
"Are you okay, sir?" she asked, moving behind his chair to massage his shoulders.
Andrew let out a deep sigh. "Claire wants a divorce, and I'm fine with that," he replied.
"Then what's bothering you?" Sharon continued, her hands still working on his tense shoulders.
Andrew's voice was low and bitter. "Claire is barren."
Sharon paused, her hands stilling as she registered the news. "What? You mean all these years you couldn't have children because of her?"
"Yes, but the worst part is, I may never get the chance to be a father to my own kids," Andrew said, his tone heavy with regret. "Henry's planning to adopt them, and if that happens, I'll lose all rights to them. On top of that, he wants to sue me, and I need to stop him."
Sharon's curiosity piqued. "Wait, what do you mean you already have kids? I thought you couldn't have any."
Andrew explained, "Chantel was our maid. When Claire and I found out she couldn't have children, we came up with a plan. We drugged Chantel and… I slept with her. She got pregnant, and our plan was to take the baby from her once she gave birth, without her ever knowing the truth. But somehow, she found out and ran away. Now she's living with Henry Williams, and he's ready to adopt the kids as his own."
Sharon's expression shifted from shock to a calculated smile. "So, you need my help to stop this from going any further?" she asked, her eyes gleaming. "You know I'll be by your side. Soon, I'll be your wife."
Andrew nodded, grateful for her support. "I'm counting on you."
At the same time, Chantel and Henry had just returned home. Chantel still couldn't wrap her head around everything that had happened. The fact that Claire, her stepsister, and her stepmother, the very woman who had thrown her out of the house years ago, had been living under the same roof as her was too much to process. She sank into the couch, weeping as Henry sat beside her, trying to console her.
"This is just too much," Chantel cried. "Finding out that Claire is my stepsister, then seeing my stepmother again… Why do they keep showing up just when I'm finally finding some peace? They've always hated me. They've always been a thorn in my side."
Henry held her close. "I know it's hard, but at least now you know the truth about Claire. That gives us some leverage."
Chantel buried her face in his chest. "I wish I could see my dad and tell him everything that happened, but I'm scared. I don't want to lose him, too. And now, to think that the father of my children is Claire's husband? I have to fight back. I have to get justice."
Claire, meanwhile, was busy making her own plans. She had just secured a new mansion in California, where she could lay low for a while. She sat in her car, considering her next move. She needed to find a way to keep Henry from pressing charges, and the only way she could think of was to try to get on his good side—or at least, to get closer to him again. It was risky, but she didn't see any other options.
While she was plotting, her mother received a call from Chantel's father. She picked up her phone, which was lying on a garden table, and glanced at the caller ID.
"Hello, dear," she answered, sipping her drink.
"When are you coming back to Washington?" he asked. "I need you to manage the company while I'm away."
"Where are you going?" she replied, trying to hide the suspicion in her voice.
"I've got an urgent meeting in California. I need to leave tomorrow."
She froze, wondering if Chantel had contacted him. "You didn't mention this before. What's going on?"
"It just came up last night. It's important," he said.
"How long will you be gone?" she asked, hoping to keep him away.
"I need at least two days in California. It's a significant deal."
Quickly thinking on her feet, she offered, "I'm already in California. I can attend the meeting for you."
"That's actually a good idea," he agreed. "I'll send you the details."
After ending the call, she breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness I convinced him. If he came to California, Chantel might have had the chance to talk to him and spill everything about how I threw her out of the house years ago," she muttered to herself.
Claire soon arrived at Henry's house, but the security guards wouldn't let her in. Frustrated, she got out of the car and walked up to the gate, yelling at them. The commotion caught the attention of Henry and Chantel, who stepped outside to see what was happening.
"What are you doing here, Claire?" Chantel asked, her voice filled with suspicion as she walked closer.
Claire put on her best guilty expression. "I'm here to apologize, Chantel. I know I've wronged you, and I'm sorry. I just want a chance to talk."
Chantel frowned and glanced at Henry. She wasn't sure if she could trust anything Claire said. "What do you want to talk about?"
"Please, just hear me out," Claire pleaded, her voice trembling with feigned emotion. "I promise, I just want to make things right."
Henry nodded at the security guard, giving him the signal to let Claire in. But before he could open the gate, Chantel stopped him. "Are you sure we should let her in?" she asked, her eyes narrowing at Claire.
"I think we should at least listen to what she has to say," Henry replied gently.
Reluctantly, Chantel agreed. "Fine, let her in," she said, crossing her arms.
As Claire stepped inside, she shot Henry a grateful look, hoping he would leave them to talk in private. Sensing her intention, Henry turned to Chantel.
"I'll leave you two to talk," he said.
"No," Chantel interjected firmly. "Whatever she has to say, she can say it in front of you."
Henry held her hand reassuringly. "I think it's better if I give you some privacy," he said softly, and then walked away.
Chantel folded her arms, her gaze hard and untrusting. "So, what do you want?"
Claire took a deep breath, trying to sound sincere. "I know I've made mistakes, but I'm here to ask you to drop the charges against Andrew and me. If you do, I promise I'll make sure you can be with your kids."
Chantel scoffed. "And why would I believe you? The only reason you're even considering divorcing Andrew is because you've had your eyes on Henry for a long time. But let me make one thing clear—I'll never let you get near him."
"Come on, Chantel," Claire insisted, her voice laced with desperation. "I'm only here to make peace. I don't care about Henry anymore."
"You're lying," Chantel said, her tone icy. "I saw the way you looked at him earlier. You're not fooling me."
Claire's facade dropped, and her frustration boiled over. "You're so stubborn! If you don't drop the charges, you'll regret it," she snapped.
Chantel's lips curled into a smile. "You and your mother are good at making threats, but I'm not scared of you anymore. I won't back down."
Just then, Henry came outside, hearing the raised voices. "What's going on?"
"Chantel is refusing to listen to reason," Claire spat.
Henry stepped in front of Chantel protectively. "Claire, I think it's time for you to leave."
"Even you, Henry?" Claire's voice wavered. "We were friends once."
"That was before I knew the truth about you and your mother," he said, his tone firm. "Please, just go."
Seeing she was getting nowhere, Claire turned and walked out. As she reached the gate, Chantel called out to the security guard. "Make sure she leaves and doesn't come back."
Henry turned to Chantel as they went back inside. "What did she really come here for?"
"She wanted me to drop the
charges," Chantel replied, taking a sip of juice to calm herself.
"And what did you say?" he asked.
"I told her there's no way I'm backing down," she said resolutely. "They need to pay for everything they've done."
Henry nodded. "You've been through so much. You deserve justice. Now, let's get you some rest."
As he guided her upstairs, Chantel felt a renewed determination to fight for what was right.