The Seat They Never Saved And The Offer I Finally Took Chapter 06

The Seat They Never Saved And The Offer I Finally Took Chapter 06

Nathan stared at my face, searching for some trace of who I’d been.

He couldn’t.

Gone was the Claire Bennett who’d always kept her eyes down and tried so carefully to please

him.

Before him stood an executive at a multinational group, with flawless makeup and a sharp, cold gaze.

“It’s really you…” Nathan took a step toward me, his voice shaking.

Instinctively, he reached for my wrist.

“Mr. Reed.” I stepped back half a pace, speaking to him as coldly as I would to a stranger.

My two bodyguards stepped forward at once, their broad frames blocking his path.

Nathan’s hand froze in midair. His face went white.

“Claire Bennett, where have you been for the last three years?”

Mason shook off his shock and surged forward.

His eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep. His voice carried three years of pent-up anger and

panic.

“Do you know how frantic we were looking for you? You disappeared without a word. Did we mean nothing to you?”

He’d slipped right back into his usual accusatory tone.

As though he only had to shout for me to bow my head and apologize, the way I used to.

I met his eyes coldly, my mouth curling into a mocking smile.

“Shouting in public, Mr. Carter? Is that how Northstar Technologies’ vice president behaves?”

His breath caught. He stared at me in disbelief.

“You… What did you call me?”

“Mr. Carter,” I repeated, looking from him to Nathan.

“If you’re here to discuss business, wait for me in the private lounge. If you’re here to

reminisce, I’m sorry. My time doesn’t come cheap, and I won’t waste it on your nonsense.”

I turned and headed to the head table without giving them another glance.

Halfway through dinner, I went to the restroom.

At the corner of the hallway, someone stepped out from the side and blocked my way.

Chloe.

The past three years clearly hadn’t been good to her.

Her pampered delicacy had given way to exhaustion and fine lines at the corners of her eyes.

I’d heard how miserable those three years had been for the little princess both men had

spoiled. Nathan’s business was struggling, and Mason spent his days drinking.

“Claire, you finally decided to come back.”

Her gaze passed over my couture gown and expensive jewelry. A flash of envy crossed her eyes.

Then the helpless expression was back, and she reached for my hand.

“Do you know how much Nathan’s suffered these last three years? He’s awake night after night. He needs sleeping pills just to get some rest…”

I stepped aside, avoiding her touch.

“What do his sleeping pills have to do with me? Do you need me to book him an appointment with a psychiatrist?”

Chloe paused, apparently surprised that she couldn’t get through to me.

“How did you get so cold?” She bit her lower lip, tears appearing on cue.

“It was my fault back then. I shouldn’t have taken up so much of their time. Blame me if you

want. Just stop torturing Nathan and Mason.”

Watching her performance made me sick.

“Chloe, drop the manipulative act.”

I cut her off coldly.

“The three of you could live or die, and it wouldn’t even rate à footnote in my life. Stop

thinking you matter so much.”

Exposed, Chloe flushed, then went pale.

Hurried footsteps sounded in the hallway.

Nathan and Mason had come looking for us.

Seeing Chloe cry, Mason immediately turned on me. “Claire Bennett, what did you do to Chloe

this time…”

Before he could finish, Nathan shoved him aside.

Nathan strode up to me with an almost pleading look.

“Claire, can we talk alone? Just ten minutes.”

His eyes were wet as he looked at me.

“Keep your hands to yourself, Mr. Reed. We’re not that close.” I brushed his hand away.