Love Against All Odds by Shirley Hugh
Chapter 12

Chapter 12

“What the hell do you want?” Claire struggled to control her b*dy, which was trembling with fear. Even her voice was quivering without any trace of intimidation.

“Don’t be so frightened. I’ve just come to have a little chat with you. Jerome glanced at Claire in disdain, impatience evident in his eyes. If it were not for the fact that she had something on her hands that could be used against him, he would have killed her long ago.

Claire still couldn’t believe his words, especially considering how Jerome exploited and manipulated even children. How could he be trusted to keep his word? She eyed Jerome warily, and her hand reached into her pocket, her fingers lightly tapping on the phone screen.

But Jerome had always been cautious, and he’d seen a lot. There was no way he would not notice such obvious movements from Claire.

Claire’s actions undeniably provoked him. Jerome swiftly reached Claire, snatching her phone, and smashed it ruthlessly against the ground.

A “crack” resonated, and Claire’s phone screen bore an obvious, winding crack from bottom to top. The phone was broken. and there was no way for Claire to contact someone to come to her rescue.

Claire gazed at her phone on the ground with disbelief, her eyes wide open. She had spent months saving for that branded phone! Yet, it was shattered at his whim.

“Are you out of your mind?” Claire wanted to rush over and slap Jerome, but her rationality stopped her. If she provoked Jerome now, her fate would likely mirror her phone’s. She struggled to suppress her anger and stood still, not daring to make any impulsive moves.

“Yes. Are you just realizing that now?” Jerome looked at Claire’s incredulous expression and smiled strangely. Then, he seized Claire’s delicate n*eck, capable of snapping it with a little force.

Claire coughed a few times and shouted, “Let go of me She vehemently struggled, slapping Jerome’s hand vigorously. She could feel Jerome’s hand gradually tightening and at this rate, she would die here.

Jerome ignored her struggles and shouts, and instead of loosening his grip on her n*eck, it became stronger, almost crushing

Claire

Jerome slowly approached Claire, whispering lowly into her car, “Don’t be afraid; I won’t kill you” His voice was gentle and soft, like the whispers between lovers. But for Claire, it was a demonic murmur.

Claire couldn’t speak and stared at him with a fixed gaze.

Seemingly satisfied with Claire’s reaction, Jerome ignored her gaze and continued, “I came today to give you a warning. Don’t reveal my affairs, or I’ll make sure you regret being alive.

“Let go of me!” Claire shouted, glaring at Jerome with anger. Claire rarely got angry, but these past few days had pushed her to the limit. The people she hated came to mess with her and her family one after the other, She couldn’t take it anymore.

Jerome was startled by Claire’s gaze. He never thought Claire, who looked so weak, could have such a scary look in her eyes, and he released her, giving her the freedom she sought.

Claire’s first reaction after she got free was to kick Jerome in the groin when he wasn’t paying attention, sending him. sprawling to the ground. Then, she quickly picked up her shattered phone and ran to the office.

She didn’t want to encounter that demon again. She just wanted to get back as soon as she could.

As Claire returned to the office building, she saw Cavin waiting at the entrance. One could easily tell that he was very anxious from his fast pacing, and his usually composed expression showed evident worry.

“Cavin!” Claire didn’t know why, but seeing Gavin’s figure made her uneasiness disappear instantly. In that moment, only his

tall and imposing figure filled her world.

Gavin, who was pacing back and forth, froze at the sound of Claire’s voice. Then, a gust of wind passed, and Claire found herself in his tight embrace.

“Claire, where did you go? You didn’t answer the phone. I was so worried about you, do you have any idea?” Gavin, usually calm and reserved, seemed out of control when he saw Claire safe. He knew that his heart would never remain calm whenever Claire was involved.

“Sorry.. My phone… It broke. I was looking for a phone store, Claire’s heart skipped a beat when she heard Gavin’s concerned words. Then, her entire world warmed up. Gavin’s concern made her feel very blessed.

Gavin was a good person, and she didn’t want to involve him in her troubles. She had to come up with a random excuse to pacify him.

“Fortunately, you’re okay!” Gavin hugged Claire tightly and whispered. However, the slight trembling of his shoulders revealed his emotions; he was afraid of losing Claire. He couldn’t live without Claire in his life.

Back home, Claire quickly freshened up. Then, she stared at her shattered phone, feeling a pang of sadness.

This phone was bought with months of savings! Now, it was shattered on the ground, and she couldn’t even recognize its original appearance. She just couldn’t let it go.

Just as Claire mourned her phone, the doorbell suddenly rang, interrupting her thoughts

Claire looked up at Gavin, somewhat puzzled. Perhaps it is one of his friends visiting?” she thought

However, Gavin also looked back at her, equally confused. He had no idea who would come to their house at this time.

They stared at each other and remained where they were, neither moving to open the door.

In the end, Claire broke the childish standoff. She revealed a helpless smile, stood up, and walked to the entrance to open the door.

However, she didn’t expect to see Thalia, her younger sister in name “How did she replace her way here?‘ Claire was curious and murmured in her mind.

Claire was dumbfounded and stood still. She didn’t know why Thalia would appear here, but after a second thought, she understood that the only explanation was that Kayla had told her.

Thalia’s eyes flashed with a hint of envy and resentment when she saw it was Claire who opened the door, but those emotions were quickly covered by excessive flattery.

“Sis, I knew you lived here.” Thalia intimately addressed Claire. But this sudden address of endearment sent shivers down Claire’s spine. Thalia rarely sought Claire’s help and she wouldn’t be so polite to her for no reason.

Claire couldn’t help but shudder. She looked at Thalia and asked bluntly. “What are you here for?”

Claire would never forget the moment Thalia and Kayla sent her to that disgusting middle–aged man’s bed. Claire’s gaze turned cold as ice when she thought about it, and she looked at Thalia with indifference.

Thalia, intighidated by her sudden cold gaze, took a step back. She swallowed nervously and said cautiously. “Sis, I’m here to ask for Gayin’s help. Can I meet him?”

“Asking for Gavin’s help? Oh, you mean the matter with that middle–aged man, right?” Claire gave Thalia a disdainful glance.

Although Thalia and Claire were half–sisters, their personalities were completely different. Thalia had inherited the characteristics of her scum father and mother thick–skinned and fond of d*rty tricks.

“Yes! Please let me in!” Thalia held back her impatience and requested in a hurry. If she didn’t need Claire’s help today, she would have slapped Claire already

“Gavin, Thalia wants your help with the matter of the middle–aged man.” Claire turned slightly to face Gavin inside and spoke loudly, showing no respect for Thalia. Despite turning to the side, she had no intention of letting Thalia in.

Claire’s uncooperative attitude made Thalia’s face darken. She stared at Claire angrily, raring to punch her in the face.

“I won’t help her. Let her go.” Not long after, Gavin’s indifferent voice came from inside, decisively shattering Thalia’s unrealistic fantasies.

“Gavin, I beg you. Please help me! Can you help me out this once? After hearing Cavin’s response, Thalia completely lost her composure.

She wanted to push Claire aside and rush in, but before she could act, Claire closed the door, blocking Thalia out.

“Sorry, my husband said you should leave, so goodbye, Thalia,” Claire spoke while looking through the peephole. Her tone carried a rare, relaxed liveliness.

“You?” The door suddenly closed, leaving Thalia outside shouting in anger.

Having successfully driven Thalia away, Claire, in a rare good mood, hummed a tune as she settled back onto the sofa.

That made her feel incredibly satisfied, and even the annoyance of her smashed phone vanished instantly.

“Does this make you happy?” Gavin looked at Claire, who was humming before chuckling

“Of course. It’s been a while since I felt this relieved,” Claire replied without hesitation.

Ever since her parents‘ divorce and her mother’s illness, her life took a turn. She was no longer the naive girl; she now had a sick mother to take care of. To ensure her mother’s medical expenses were covered each month, she endured bullying and exclusion from Thalia and Kayla, the mother–daughter duo in that disgusting Barker family.

She dared not provoke them, fearing any misstep might harm her mother. She dared not leave her mother’s medical bills

unsettled

She had always felt stifled and could never be her true self in that home:

“From now on, it’ll always be like this Gavin approached Claire and affectionately patted her head, suppressing a surge of heartache

He knew the kind of life Claire had endured in the Barker family all these years. He couldn’t do anything for her then, but from now on, he wouldn’t let her suffer any longer.

In the entertainment department, Claire continued to enjoy VIP–like treatment, with someone offering water when she was thirsty and ordering takeout when she was hungry. She had nothing to worry herself about, and it could be said that her work life was going very well.

The paparazzi in the entertainment department were eager to learn the glorious deeds of Claire’s ability to get firsthand news. With that knowledge, they hoped to follow suit.

“Uh–huh… a bit more pressure on the left shoulder. Claire lay comfortably on the reclining chair, relishing the shoulder massage provided by her colleagues

The threats she received yesterday were instantly forgotten as she basked in the joy of getting her new cell phone.

Early this morning, Cavin handed her a phone he prepared in advance.

When Claire looked at the phone in her hands, her eyes couldn’t help but widen in surprise.

Gavin’s phone for her was the same brand as her original one, but it was more advanced. It was the latest model advertised on television.

Just as Claire was about to express her gratitude, Gavin cut her off with a single sentence.

“Instead of saying thanks, how about showing your appreciation through actions?” Gavin looked at Claire with a suggestive gaze. His slender fingers slowly caressed her l*ps, and his once clear eyes were now unusually seductive.

This sent a very terrifying signal to Claire. She could tell what Gavin wanted, but it made her feel awkward. Immediately, she sprinted to the back seat at lightning speed, leaving Gavin with a figure escaping in haste.

Sitting in her office now, Claire couldn’t help but blush as she recalled the morning’s events.