Falling into Her Trap: Don't Cross the Line, Mr. President-Chapter 26: SSS-level Dangerous Individual, Keep Away!
Feeling that she had touched something, Claire quickly withdrew her leg.
Of course, she didn’t retrieve her shoe.
Seeing Claire suddenly freeze, Mia stood up and asked, "What’s wrong, Claire?"
Claire was at a loss for words. How could she explain that her high heel had kicked next to Ethan’s foot?
Wasn’t this blatantly telling everyone that she was trying to seduce Ethan Blackwood?
So the man was here waiting for her.
In her heart, Claire cursed Ethan Blackwood’s ancestors thoroughly.
Before knowing who he was, Claire’s impression of him: steady, restrained, diligent, reassuring.
Now: insidious, cunning, dark-hearted, domineering, vicious.
In summary: SSS-level dangerous person, stay away!
Claire was cursing inside but smiled on the outside, abruptly changing the topic: "I’ll add another dessert, you guys go watch the movie first."
Ethan picked up the knife and fork and added, "I’ll have someone send Ms. Shaw home later."
Sean glanced back and forth between the two, then nodded, "Thanks, Ethan, that would be helpful."
Once the two left, Claire’s high heel was returned to its owner.
Claire slipped on her shoes, took off the jacket from her shoulders, and looked indifferent.
Her mindset had completely changed; she had been expecting a special date tonight, but instead, the man was just teasing her.
Even if she cooperated fully tonight, he would definitely find other excuses and reasons; he never intended to end it!
Feeling played, Claire instantly turned hostile, "Mr. Blackwood, I’m going home now, your entertaining game ends here."
Without looking back at Ethan Blackwood, she turned and left, where his driver was already downstairs.
"Ms. Shaw, let me drive you." 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖
Under the streetlights, Ethan approached from a distance; in contrast to her indifference, his expression was calm and leisurely, his pace composed.
Claire stared at him; despite having shared intimate moments with this man, she felt a sense of unfamiliarity now.
Whether it was the insatiably demanding brute in bed or the suited elite in front of her, they were just masks concealing his true character.
His deep eyes were an existence she couldn’t fathom; people are most afraid of the unknown.
"No need, it’s easy to get a cab here."
"Claire."
The man stopped two steps away from her, a distance neither too close nor too far, creating a sense of pressure without being too ambiguous.
His gaze was steady; this was the first time he addressed her so calmly and clearly by her name.
Not the intimate nickname used in bed, nor the teasing Ms. Shaw from usual.
Claire felt inexplicably flustered; the last time she saw him so serious was when he pulled her out of the water, his handsome features filled with seriousness and coldness.
Suppressing her inner turmoil, she responded, "Mr. Blackwood, what’s the matter?"
"Regarding the three conditions you mentioned, I didn’t violate any." Ethan Blackwood put away his teasing demeanor, looking solemn.
Claire was somewhat surprised, not expecting him to suddenly bring up the rules they had discussed before.
He stepped forward, closing the distance between them.
At this distance, she could clearly smell the cool fragrance from his body.
His deep voice sounded from above her head: "I have no partner beside me."
Claire didn’t dare to lift her head and meet his gaze, sensing that Ethan Blackwood was different now.
Like a strong negotiator in a meeting, he approached step by step, leaving her no room to refuse.
"If you feel I’ve overly infiltrated your life, I can keep my distance from you like before."
"Mr. Blackwood, you’re Mason’s father. Have you considered what my life would be like if things between us were exposed? I’ll admit that those nights with you were very pleasurable, but these pleasures aren’t worth risking my future for."
After saying this, Claire slowly lifted her head, her eyes filled with firm refusal: "Mr. Blackwood, you’re a good lover, and I’m sure you’ll find an even better one once you leave me."
Claire rejected him thoroughly, showing no mercy to Ethan Blackwood. She casually flagged down a taxi and got in without even looking back.
As the car window rolled down, she leaned against the window, the evening breeze gently blowing her hair.
She couldn’t deny it; disregarding identities, Ethan Blackwood was indeed a very good lover.
Most of the time, he was considerate of her feelings in bed, being intimate with him made Claire feel comfortable; otherwise, she wouldn’t have extended their relationship to this day.
But reality isn’t a novel; such a prominent figure like him, she couldn’t afford to provoke.
Not to mention he’s Mason Blackwood’s father, Claire could only keep her distance.
After getting out of the car, Claire saw Owen Crawford under the apartment building.
Owen leaned against a tree, smoking with a somewhat dejected look; he seemed to have been waiting for a long time.
Claire’s steps didn’t slow, her high heels clicking rapidly, eager to disappear.
"Where did you go so late?"
Claire stopped, turned around, and looked at him, her gaze composed and calm.
"Mr. Crawford, where I go doesn’t seem to concern you; we’ve already broken up."
Owen sized up Claire, relieved to see there was no one else with her.
Maybe that night was just Claire putting on a show; if she was so easily allowing another man close, it wouldn’t have meant wasting three years’ time.
Owen extinguished his cigarette and handed over a card, "I know what happened before was my fault, this is a small token of my apology, I hope you’ll accept it."
This was his secondary card, meaning he didn’t plan for it to be a one-shot deal; if Claire took it, she could use his card every month.
Making amends was fake; reviving the relationship was the real intention.
Claire didn’t take it, a smile playing on her lips: "Owen Crawford, are you trying to keep me?"
"Claire, I only have one request: don’t leave me."
Claire quietly looked at him, "Do you know why I chose you back then?"
There were plenty of suitors chasing her, including rich heirs, scholars, and athletes.
"Was it because I pursued you the longest?"
"Back then, you were a breath of fresh air, but now the way you’re throwing money at me makes you no different from them; it’s all equally nauseating."
Owen’s face looked a bit vexed, "Claire, let me explain, I’m just..."
"Owen Crawford, we’re impossible. Treat Stella Sutton well."
Owen still wanted to follow her, but Claire immediately called property management to have him removed.
As it turns out, Owen was just like the others, unable to escape being conventional.
Thinking that having some money allowed them to do as they pleased, in their eyes where was equality? Identity and class were hurdles none could overcome.
Returning to her little home, Claire received a new message on her phone.
[Claire, I won’t give up on you.]
Claire immediately blocked the sender, then took a bath before heading to her partitioned studio.
Not big, less than ten square meters, the shelves around were filled with various stones.
Claire’s side hustle — a rock color painter.
This profession was quite niche, grinding various gems into powder to create art using gems and gold.
The down payment for her apartment was made through this side hustle.
Miranda Shaw didn’t like her being outside her control.
Earlier, an internationally renowned violin master wanted to take Claire as a student, inviting her to join a global tour.
On the day of departure, Miranda Shaw hid Claire’s passport, completely blocking her path in violin.
Claire was fully aware that her mother was the one with the most psychological issues; she wanted Claire to rewrite her failed ending, aside from marrying a rich man, she cut off all of Claire’s paths.
So when Claire bought this apartment, she created a secret door from her wardrobe, converting less than ten square meters into a studio.
Even if Miranda Shaw often visited, it was hard to discover Claire’s small haven.
Sitting cross-legged on the floor, Claire brushed glue while putting her phone on speaker.
"Claire, after finishing this painting, the client’s friend wants to order another large-sized one. He hopes to meet you for detailed discussions."
Claire furrowed her brows slightly, "Didn’t we agree that I wouldn’t show my face?"
"I understand your concerns. Based on his tone, this order is pretty big; shouldn’t we prioritize the client’s needs? If this deal goes through, you could pay off the remaining mortgage on your apartment."
"Alright then." Claire hung up the phone; who wouldn’t like money?
But the truth was, every penny Claire earned was with hard work, clean and aboveboard.
The next day, having only slept three hours last night, Claire appeared somewhat fatigued.
On the contrary, Mia was full of energy, nudging her arm mischievously and asking, "Last night, did you and Ethan..."
