Too Late to Love Her: When She Divorced, He Fell Apart-Chapter 21: I’m Here to Pick Up My Wife from Work

Chapter 21: Chapter 21: I’m Here to Pick Up My Wife from Work
Claire Hale took a deep breath without much patience, Nathan Quinn immediately stopped his babble, changed the topic, and said, "Actually, it’s nothing major. I have a friend who wants to sue, and they’d like to consult you on some matters."
Claire Hale furrowed her brows: "Friend?"
"Right! And remember to bring Tina Hayes with you, so if you drink too much there’s someone to take care of you!"
Nathan Quinn hung up after saying that sentence, Claire Hale froze for a second, then realized that was the main point of the call.
Near the end of work, she found Tina Hayes and told her about it.
Tina Hayes cursed Nathan Quinn but didn’t refuse.
Claire Hale glanced at the parking lot downstairs and said casually, "You’ve changed cars recently."
The Xiaomi SU7, not a luxury car, but quite suitable for a young girl like Tina Hayes.
Tina Hayes’ eyes flashed, and she mumbled a vague acknowledgment.
Claire Hale withdrew her gaze, thought for a moment, then said, "From what I know, Nathan Quinn’s family will definitely arrange a marriage for him."
And Nathan Quinn has tacitly accepted his family’s arrangements.
Since he hasn’t been pushed to marry yet, he’s naturally making the most of his brief freedom.
The women around Nathan Quinn, who frequently change, also know this, so most are only interested in his money. But with Tina Hayes, Claire Hale is somewhat worried, fearing she’ll get stuck and unable to escape.
Tina Hayes’ face paled slightly; she quickly turned her head away and said nonchalantly, "Who he marries has nothing to do with me."
Claire Hale said no more.
Matters of the heart for others, she’s just an outsider and can’t interfere much.
Besides, she herself is hardly qualified to judge others.
On Nathan Quinn’s birthday, Claire Hale and Tina Hayes set off from the office together after work.
Unexpectedly, Tristan Lockwood was already waiting outside the office.
He drove the Porsche, which had gathered a lot of dust in the garage. With winter’s early darkness, he stood by the car in a black coat, his handsome face blending into the night.
Upon seeing Claire Hale, he stubbed out his cigarette and approached her.
Tristan Lockwood’s excessive handsomeness overwhelmed even Tina Hayes, who knew he wasn’t a decent guy, and she instinctively cleared a path for him.
"Why are you here at the office again? Didn’t I say I wouldn’t take your case?"
Claire Hale thought he was looking for trouble.
Tristan Lockwood glanced at her reddened nose from the cold, then took off his coat and draped it over her, saying, "I’m here to pick up my wife after work, is that not allowed?"
Claire Hale’s body stiffened; she looked up at him.
He smiled slightly and took her hand, "Ready to say I’m disgusting again?"
"No."
She shook her head, not pulling her hand away from his grip.
"The coat is warm."
She said softly, her cheeks red from the cold, giving a rare soft appearance.
Left in the cold wind, Tina Hayes watched their figures together fading further away, silently returning to the parking lot to start her cool Xiaomi SU7.
Claire Hale and Tristan Lockwood arrived at The Midnight Breeze, coincidentally meeting Jenson Jennings.
Seeing them exit the same car, with a different atmosphere than usual, Jenson Jennings smiled meaningfully, saying, "A married couple entering together, the aura is different."
Tristan Lockwood raised his brow slightly, agreeing with this statement.
His left hand continued to hold Claire Hale’s.
He did not let go, and she couldn’t bring herself to shed his grip, as they walked into The Midnight Breeze hand in hand.
The Midnight Breeze is Nathan Quinn’s bar. On his birthday, it wasn’t operating, but the bar was still packed with people.
Tristan Lockwood, a standout presence, attracted attention as soon as he walked in.
Seeing he and Claire Hale holding hands drew even more undisguised surprise.
At this, Jenson Jennings said, "Tristan, there’s a project collaboration I need to discuss with you."
Tristan Lockwood glanced at Claire Hale.
Claire Hale voluntarily released his hand, saying, "I’ll wait for Tina."
Only then did he walk towards the distant private lounge with Jenson Jennings.
Watching his broad, straight back fade away, her agitated heart calmed, replaced by an indescribable sense of discord.
But before she could think it through, Tina Hayes suddenly appeared from behind, whispering to her, "President Hale, are you and Dr. Lockwood reconciled?"
Claire Hale glanced at her, "I was never in a good place with him."
"Already holding hands, yet still being stubborn." Out and about, Tina Hayes spoke less formally, given the subordinate relationship, "But Dr. Lockwood was so terrible before, you probably wouldn’t wash his underwear for him easily, right?"
Claire Hale looked at her coolly.
Tina Hayes feared this look the most, goosebumps rising all over.
In the dance floor ahead, men and women twisted wildly like beasts or serpents.
Claire Hale glanced over and saw Kiara Vance.
Kiara Vance was in a spicy strapless mini dress, beside her was Nathan Quinn, dancing fervently. The two were hip to hip, back to back, in zero distance contact indeed.
Claire Hale withdrew her gaze, noting out of the corner of her eye that Tina Hayes beside her didn’t look well.
Nathan Quinn spotted them, withdrew his hand from Kiara Vance’s waist, and walked over.
His gaze first fell on Tina Hayes, grinning slyly, "Little girl, come to wish the big brother a happy birthday too?"
Tina Hayes responded coldly, "Don’t overthink it, I’m here with President Hale."
Then she glanced at Kiara Vance in the dance floor, displeased, saying, "Why are you so close to that kind of woman? She gave our President Hale a hard time before."
Nathan Quinn’s smile faded slightly, "The Vance Family holds sway in Riverbend’s medical circles, can’t afford to neglect."
Tina Hayes sensed his diplomatic intent, said no more, turned to say goodbye to Claire Hale, then went to the counter to order a drink.
Watching her walk away, Claire Hale said to Nathan Quinn, "Is this an arranged matchmaking event for you?"
She too was partly in their circle; usually, she didn’t interact much with these wealthy heirs, but she had a sense for such occasions.
Nathan Quinn nodded, not denying, "The family is pressing."
He was nearing thirty, the age for settling down.
Claire Hale glanced at him, "What’s the deal with you and Tina? You know she’s not from your circle; many things you consider obvious might not be acceptable to her."
"There’s nothing between us." Nathan Quinn smirked, "Just teasing a young girl, she can’t be that foolish to take small teases seriously."
"Indeed, she wouldn’t."
A crisp female voice sounded from behind, Nathan Quinn’s expression changed slightly, Tina Hayes, with her gaze unwavering, returned to stand by Claire Hale, laughing, "President Hale, I’m feeling unwell, heading out first."
Claire Hale was about to nod, but Nathan Quinn beat her to it, grabbing her wrist, saying, "Unwell? I’ll take you."
"No need."
Tina Hayes bent her brows, her crescent-shaped eyes bright with laughter, very cute.
"President Quinn is so busy, how could I bother you."
Nathan Quinn furrowed his brows, "Why speak to me like that."