Falling into Her Trap: Don't Cross the Line, Mr. President-Chapter 27: Eager to Meet Him

Claire Shaw looked around cautiously, confirming there was no one around before speaking: "We have nothing going on. After dinner, I took a cab back. You shouldn’t say things like that in the future."

"Oh." Mia Hughes sounded a bit disappointed and wanted to say more, but Claire Shaw patted her on the shoulder.

She told Mia Hughes to enjoy her sweet romance but to maintain boundaries and not give her heart completely.

From a young age, she was deeply influenced by her parents, leading to her psychological issues.

But maybe Mia Hughes would be an exception, and she hoped Mia could find true happiness with her love.

Upon hearing that the director was looking for her, Claire Shaw arrived at the director’s office.

After some pleasantries, the director hinted at promoting her to a head position, taking a while before revealing the real intention.

"Recently I received news that real estate developers are planning this area, including the nearby orphanage and our vacant land. You know, that land was originally planned to build an outdoor swimming pool."

Whether the swimming pool could be built was not Claire’s concern, as they already had an indoor heated pool.

What concerned her was the orphanage next door, built by an old gentleman at the end of the last century.

Though not big, with help from various people and the funding from the gentleman’s estate, hundreds of children have been supported here.

"How is the orphanage arranged?"

"They can’t produce property certificates, so moving is warranted. Ms. Shaw, my point is that our land still has room for maneuver."

Claire Shaw felt tightness in her chest, "Director, do you mean..."

"The project this time was awarded to The Blackwood Group."

"The Blackwood Group..."

"It’s Mason’s father’s company in your class, Ms. Shaw. Can you privately discuss this with Mr. Blackwood on behalf of our school? That land isn’t large, and for them, it’s just a corner to lay some turf, but we could give our kids a luxury swimming pool."

Claire Shaw understood well that the promotion was nothing but a ploy to use her.

With a harmonious face, the director said: "I know this matter is not easy, but as educators, everything is for the children. Whether we succeed or not, at least we should try. What do you think, Ms. Shaw?"

Claire Shaw casually agreed, "I can ask, but don’t get your hopes up, Director."

Only then did the director smile broadly, "I told you, Ms. Shaw, smart and capable, no one but you deserves this head position."

As she stepped out of the office, the smile on Claire Shaw’s face disappeared swiftly.

She checked it, and it was consistent with the director’s words.

But why was Ethan Blackwood the executor of the project?

In what capacity would she approach Ethan Blackwood?

Clearly, whether as a lover or a teacher, she wasn’t qualified.

Unknowingly, Claire Shaw walked to that small piece of vacant land, still in a wasteland state, with several mango trees.

She remembered last year when she just arrived, children from the orphanage climbed this tree to pick mangoes and handed one to her.

The child’s smile and the current cries overlapped, "Mother director, I don’t want to leave!"

"Children don’t cry..." The director taking over the orphanage also grew up here. Claire Shaw frequently assisted the children and thus became familiar.

Separated by a wall, the noble kindergarten children enjoyed air conditioning and snacks in well-conditioned rooms, while the abandoned children cried uncontrollably, with even this small haven about to be lost.

Claire Shaw felt deeply saddened. In her childhood, she was no different from an orphan, so she empathized with the children’s plight.

The more she understood, the more painful it became. She had to do something for them.

Claire Shaw took out her phone, finding the contact labeled [Mason’s Dad], calling now would inevitably be a slap to her bold self from last night.

She hesitated for a long time and finally pressed it with trembling fingers.

She seldomly dialed this number; they mostly communicated via WeChat earlier.

Claire Shaw’s heart was restless; she had made her words final last night, yet quickly sought him again. Had he blocked her already?

Beep-beep-beep—

After three rings, a familiar male voice sounded on the other end.

"Hello." The man’s voice was steady and gentle.

Without the teasing or sneering Claire imagined, calm and devoid of any emotion, making Claire a bit shy, unsure how to begin.

After a few seconds of silence, Ethan Blackwood was genuinely patient, neither asking nor hanging up.

From the faint sound of wind on the other side, she captured his shallow breaths.

He was waiting, waiting for her to speak.

Like in those nights, his gentle and considerate bedside manner.

Claire Shaw kicked at the grass under the mango tree, collecting her courage to cautiously say: "Mr. Blackwood, when are you free? I’d like to meet with you."

However, when you need someone, you naturally consider yourself inferior in front of Ethan Blackwood, not as free-spirited as before.

She felt embarrassed saying this, clutching the phone tightly; had she known she’d need him, she would have acted differently last night.

Yet in life, there’s no such thing as foresight. She was prepared to be ridiculed.

Ethan Blackwood’s steady and powerful voice replied, "I’m on a business trip."

Claire quickly asked, "Then when will you be back?"

"In a hurry?"

"Yes, I hope to see you soon."

"Then tonight."

Claire Shaw was delighted, "What time is your flight? I’ll pick you up."

"Around nine o’clock."

After he hung up, Claire calmed her racing heart.

Ethan Blackwood’s non-rejection indicated there was room for negotiation!

The scorching wind blew across her hair; Claire Shaw’s fingers grazed the mottled wall, listening to the cries from next door. She had already made up her mind.

Ethan had mentioned he was a businessman, and dealing with businessmen required offering something to trade.

But the premise was whether her body was worth the land’s value?

She wasn’t confident at all.

Knowing that doing so would cost her all dignity.

The worst outcome was their affair getting exposed, leaving her disgraced.

Or perhaps what awaited her after meeting was Ethan Blackwood’s high-handed humiliation.

But if it could sustain those children’s smiles, what did it matter?

After work, Claire Shaw returned home to shower.

She meticulously washed every inch of her body, then applied rose-scented body lotion.

Claire didn’t like using perfume much; she preferred this cream-like texture, closer to the natural flower scent.

Wrapped in a towel, she walked barefoot to the wardrobe and chose a beige silk shirt paired with a white strapless top.

Below, she wore a high-quality champagne fishtail skirt with pale, thin heels.

The outfit seemed refreshing and elegant but was actually quite strategic.

The shirt was slightly sheer, allowing glimpses of her slender waist and full chest.

The neckline slightly open, showcasing her delicate collarbone.

She wore a small pearl necklace and earrings, appearing elegant yet with a hint of allure.

Saving the orphanage wasn’t a trivial matter; she needed to present her highest sincerity.

Looking at the reflection of herself dressed to deliberately please a man, Claire Shaw smiled with helplessness.

Clearly, she struggled for half her life, yet ended up down the path of pleasing a man; what was her persistence worth then...

But that’s life, especially for those at the bottom, which never gives you extra choices.

Claire Shaw glanced at the message Ethan Blackwood sent her two hours ago.

[Touchdown in about two and a half hours.]

If it was before, she’d glance at it and put down the phone, timing her departure accordingly.

Yet today she replied thoughtfully.

[I’ll wait at the airport for you.]

[Okay.]

Claire Shaw stared at that "okay" for a long time; in truth, Ethan Blackwood was a man of stable emotions.

Unlike Owen Crawford.

If anything, Claire was curious about the kind of woman he would have children with.

Perhaps six years ago, when his heart was tender, he’d do anything for a woman, act impulsively, go crazy, like a moth to a flame.

Not how he was in front of her now, calm and indifferent regardless of what happened.

Claire Shaw lost herself in thought; her phone vibrated.

The screen lit up with a new message.

[I have arrived.]

Claire Shaw looked up and spotted a tall figure striking amidst the crowd; he wore a dark suit, walking calmly and steadily towards her.