Too Late to Love Her: When She Divorced, He Fell Apart-Chapter 14: Let’s See How You Perform

Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Let’s See How You Perform
That remark was way out of line.
Some colleagues tugged at Kiara Vance’s sleeve, signaling her to keep quiet, but she was too angry to listen and added fuel to the fire: "I remember you waiting for Dr. Lockwood to finish his surgery. I’m really envious of you, surrounded by so many handsome and talented guys."
She bit down on the word "surrounded" in a particularly suggestive way. Everyone was an adult; no one missed the implication of her words. Although they knew probing into someone’s privacy like that was inappropriate, they couldn’t resist their burning desire for gossip.
For a moment, no one stopped her. In fact, they all turned their gazes toward Claire Hale.
Jenson Jennings furrowed his brow, about to say something when Claire Hale spoke first, her tone indifferent:
"I have no obligation to answer your question. Besides, you’re not just mocking me; are Tristan Lockwood and Jenson Jennings, in your eyes, the kind of men who love to bicker?"
She looked at her coldly, her eyes openly dismissive.
Kiara Vance bit her lip, turning her red-rimmed eyes aside.
The others held their breath collectively, not daring to speak. Everyone in the hospital knew about Tristan Lockwood’s family background; offending him wasn’t just about losing your job.
"Miss Hale has connections, with men backing her up. Bullying us is naturally as easy as pie, and I certainly can’t afford to provoke her."
Kiara mumbled, her voice not too loud or soft.
At this point, Claire Hale had no more desire to stay. She stood up, grabbed her bag, and glanced casually at Kiara, saying, "I’m just an unknown lawyer, but your previous words are enough to count as slander. Do you want to see me in court?"
Kiara was truly speechless now, staring at Claire Hale with a pale face, a trace of unwillingness and jealousy in her eyes.
Claire Hale turned away indifferently, showing no expression, and walked away.
Jenson saw this, briefly said goodbye to Tristan Lockwood, and caught up with her, walking alongside her, saying, "That nurse really has no sense. If you’re upset, I can arrange for someone else to teach her a lesson."
Claire Hale paused, meeting Jenson’s gentle eyes.
She didn’t expect that he could talk about teaching someone a lesson so casually. Claire Hale suddenly realized she didn’t know Jenson as well as she thought.
"Thank you, Jenson, but that’s not necessary," she refused. "We’re just strangers who happened to meet; we won’t have any dealings in the future. No need to hold a grudge."
"Alright, whatever you say."
"Hmm."
It’s not that Claire Hale was magnanimous or acting out of a saintly compassion, letting Kiara go. She simply felt that Kiara’s targeting of her was too strange. They hadn’t had any prior interaction, so Kiara really had no reason to risk offending Jenson and Tristan to deliberately make things difficult for her.
When she got home, just before getting out of the car, Claire Hale said, "Were you deliberate today?"
Jenson turned his head and asked, "Deliberate what?"
Claire Hale: "Deliberately seating me with Tristan, and then deliberately bringing up Tristan’s connections with the bank."
He chuckled, saying, "I just thought Tristan’s connections could help you more than mine. Besides, he’d probably be willing to assist."
He was certainly willing, but the premise was that she had to use her charms.
Claire Hale sighed helplessly and said, "Jenson, if someone were to cut open your stomach, they’d find it all pitch black inside."
"I’m delighted to earn such high praise from you."
Jenson’s lips curled into a warm smile. He was already handsome, tall, and slim, in no way inferior to Tristan Lockwood. His smile was infectious, always making people want to draw closer.
Claire Hale also smiled slightly, waved goodbye to him, and only after his car drove away did she enter the house.
She took off her shoes at the entryway, and as soon as she turned on the lights, Tristan Lockwood’s cool voice rang out: "You and Jenson sure have a lot to talk about."
Claire Hale looked in the direction of the voice, finding Tristan Lockwood partially lying on the sofa, his shirt collar open, revealing hints of his tan muscled torso, and even his belt buckle was half undone, lazily watching her.
He truly struck an enticing pose.
If she hadn’t been used to seeing him like this, she might genuinely have been tempted.
Tristan waved her over, and Claire Hale walked to him, looking down at him, asking, "Are you really willing to help with the bank executive connection?"
"Depends on your performance."
He patted his thigh.
The next morning, Claire Hale woke up with a sore waist and back, her legs aching severely, and her head feeling fuzzy.
Tristan was more energetic than she was, looking at her meaningfully, saying, "I didn’t know before that you and I could be so happy together."
"There’s no need for you to doubt yourself in this regard."
Claire Hale lazily rubbed her shoulder, getting up to head to the bathroom.
Yet Tristan was pleased by her words; he raised an eyebrow, walked directly up to her, carrying her into the bathroom, and put her in the bathtub, personally giving her a bath.
Claire Hale sat in the bathtub, looking up at him in surprise.
His expression was indifferent, but his movements were exceptionally gentle, especially when he touched the places on her body that were reddened from being pinched, he was particularly adept at massaging them.
This massage, however, happened to hit her ticklish spot.
Tristan raised an eyebrow, discreetly curling his lips, asking, "Want more?"
She quickly shook her head: "If I want more, you won’t be able to handle it."
"How would you know without trying?"
He pinched her waist, Claire Hale bit her lip, grabbing his unruly arm to stop him.
Tristan ultimately didn’t take it too far. He carried her out of the bathroom after bathing, but there was still a hint of unfinished desire in his gaze.
Claire Hale could only wonder if he truly wasn’t afraid of exhausting himself to death.
Regarding the bank executive connection, Claire Hale received Tristan’s message that afternoon, saying the other party agreed to meet, but the time was tight, possibly until evening.
Reflecting on Tristan’s work efficiency, Claire Hale couldn’t help but be amazed. Despite his personal conduct, he was truly flawless in other aspects.
After all, she was asking for a favor. Even with Tristan’s connection, out of politeness, Claire Hale arrived early at the agreed location, waiting in the cold wind on the roadside until the bank executive arrived.
The executive indeed lived up to his professional reputation; he was patient and very attentive, not only helping her go through the dense bank transactions but also collaborating with her and client Jane Holt to organize various documents over the following days.
After two weeks of continuous work, there was finally a glimmer of hope.