Too Late to Love Her: When She Divorced, He Fell Apart-Chapter 38: That Woman Beside Him Is His Latest Flame

Chapter 38: Chapter 38: That Woman Beside Him Is His Latest Flame
Claire looked around and saw Tristan Lockwood with his back to them, talking on the phone not far away.
She walked over and called out casually, "Jade."
Jade Sutton stiffened for a second, then forced a smile and said, "Claire, it’s been so long, I’m surprised you still remember me."
"I didn’t initially." Claire found a rock nearby to sit on, propping her chin with her hand, and said, "But Sean Lockwood gave me a picture of you, and I had to remember that I once had a friend like you."
Hearing Sean’s name, Jade’s face turned pale, and she bit her lip, staring intensely at Claire.
Claire said, "However, the picture Sean gave me looks like a completely different person compared to you now. I almost doubted if I recognized the wrong person."
"Did he have you investigate my whereabouts?"
Jade’s voice trembled.
Claire lifted her eyelids and said without much emotion, "Don’t you already know? With Tristan protecting you and helping you hide your whereabouts from me, what are you afraid of?"
Jade suddenly moved in front of her, half squatting, half kneeling on the ground, looking up at her, and said, "Claire, I beg you, don’t tell Sean where I am."
Her eyes were red, her peony-like eyes filled with crystal tears, making her hard not to pity.
"Why should I?"
Claire remained unmoved.
Jade’s eyes trembled, tears rolling down from her eyes.
"After I married Sean, he didn’t let me get close to any man. Whenever I spoke a word to another man, he would lock me up in the house for an entire day. Later, he didn’t even allow me to go out. He forbade me from contacting my family and didn’t permit me to associate with any friends. I found a hard-won opportunity to escape. Claire, I’m really scared of him! I beg you, please help me, okay?"
Claire didn’t respond, silently staring at her for a while.
Jade bit her lip, pleadingly holding her hand.
After a while, Claire said, word by word, "What do any of these things you said have to do with me?"
Jade was startled.
She continued expressionlessly, "You marrying Sean was your own choice. Escaping back home is also your own business. How would helping you benefit me?"
"But we used to be such close friends!" Tears streamed down Jade’s face, "When Cynthia bullied you, wasn’t it always me who stood up for you? Why can’t you remember our old friendship and help me?"
Claire looked at her coldly, "When you repeatedly sought out Tristan, did you ever remember the past or think about the fact that he is my husband?"
"I really have no other way!"
Jade was almost kneeling on the ground, begging her.
"Besides Tristan, I don’t know who else can help me! Claire, I know I’m sorry to you, but once I completely break free from Sean, I will definitely give Tristan back to you, okay?"
"You don’t need to make decisions for him." Claire coldly curled her lips, "He regards you as his savior, treasures you greatly. Maybe he’d be willing to keep you by his side willingly?"
When she mentioned ’savior,’ her eyes took on a subtly profound look.
A trace of guilt flashed across Jade’s eyes, disappearing in an instant.
Claire glanced in Tristan’s direction and saw he was ending the call and turning towards them.
She casually withdrew her hand that Jade was holding, preparing to go to the side and help Tina Hayes and the others set up the barbecue grill.
However, just as she withdrew her hand, Jade suddenly fell heavily to the ground.
Tristan immediately ran over.
He helped Jade up, frowned at her, his eyes full of blame, "Claire, what are you doing?"
"I didn’t do anything."
Claire glanced at Jade’s tear-streaked face and then at the reproach on Tristan’s face, showed no expression, and prepared to walk away.
She truly had no time to engage in such a pity contest with Jade.
But Tristan suddenly stepped forward, grabbed her wrist, and said sharply, "Apologize."
Claire halted her steps, turned, and looked straight at him.
"And if I refuse? What are you going to do — break off with me for her, or completely fall out and get a divorce?"
Dean Dawson, watching from afar as Tristan and Claire confronted each other, hurriedly came over to help, assuming Claire was being bullied.
But as he approached, he unexpectedly heard such a statement.
To him, it was a thunderous shock.
The wife Tristan wanted to leave empty-handed was actually Claire?
Claire caught Dean’s shocked expression, immediately knowing what he had overheard.
She curled her lips into a sarcastic smile and said, "I haven’t introduced you before. This is my husband, Tristan Lockwood. And next to him is his latest affection."
Dean looked at her indifferent face, his expression shifting from shock to complexity.
Tristan’s face turned ice-cold, "What nonsense are you spouting in front of outsiders?"
"You know exactly what I’m saying."
Her eyes were calm, and she brushed past him to join the lively crowd of colleagues.
Colleague Little Xiao, who was grilling charcoal, curiously asked, "President Hale, isn’t that the one-billion-dollar divorce case from last time? That woman with him, could she be his mistress?"
Little Xiao’s impression of Tristan was unforgettable, given his striking looks and generosity, making it difficult not to remember him.
Tina Hayes glanced at Claire and told Little Xiao, "How do you know she’s the mistress? What if she’s his wife?"
"Doesn’t seem like it." Little Xiao glanced over, "Although the billionaire and that woman look compatible, upon closer observation, they actually seem slightly unfamiliar. I’m guessing the billionaire is still pursuing her."
Afterwards, she sighed and said, "Although they’re both beauties, I still prefer our President Hale. She’s stylish and beautiful, treats men like dirt, and never suffers for love! That delicate flower over there must be a gold-digger!"
Tina laughed out loud, "Are you reciting poetry? Even rhyming?"
"Don’t label people casually, you haven’t interacted with her, how can you judge so easily?"
Claire was placing skewers on the grill and glanced at the two of them.
"Also, when did I say that I treat men like dirt, and how do you know I haven’t suffered for love?"
Little Xiao blinked, "President Hale, whom did you suffer love’s pains for?"
Claire responded, "I was merely telling you that conclusions require evidence. If you were defending a client in court, would you just make things up like this?"
Little Xiao and Tina immediately fell silent.
The thing about President Hale is she always insists on proof for everything.
There are surely some people in the world who manage to make a living just by talking.
Dean, who makes a living by talking, walked over to help with the barbecue, taking on all the tasks.
He was quick and in no time had the aroma wafting through the air, causing colleagues busy with other tasks to come over to have a taste.
Dean handed two of the best-smelling skewers to Claire.
"Thanks."
Claire didn’t hold back much.
Dean sat down beside her, glanced at Tristan not far away, and asked, "Should I get two skewers for your husband?"