Rebirth Into My Second Chance

There I was, nestled in Claude's arms, casting a sly grin at Carl's fuming demeanor.

In my past life, Claude had watched on as Carl and his crew bullied me, indifferent to my plight.

All because I'd climbed into his bed and pushed away his beloved Kate. He labeled me as a cunning and terrifying woman.

This time around, none of those things had happened yet, so he still harbored a faint affection for me.

Perhaps this affection stemmed from my parents saving his life.

It was an advantage I intended to fully exploit in this life.

"Claire, you must be terrified, I'm so sorry. It's my fault for running off to meet friends. That's why Carl and his friends targeted you," she said, pulling me into her embrace, away from Claude's arms, trying to comfort me. But I clung to Claude's sleeve, terrified. He sighed: "Kate, she's not used to these grand events. Let her stay with me; the auction is about to start. Let's head over together." Claude glanced at me, his eyes conveying something I couldn't decipher.

But I'd achieved my goal, making him witness Carl's bullying, not my seduction.

"Claudy, will Carl be at the auction too?" I asked, locking eyes with Claude.

by my

I nodded obediently.

looked up, I spotted Max in the distance, lifting his champagne in a toast to

he

have seen me intentionally fall

in his

up with Claude, so I decided to stop worrying about it. Just as we entered the auction venue, I noticed several staff members ushering Carl and

Fake invitations?

family, but still of a

the staff's insistence on ejecting them, seemingly unafraid of offending

your boss here. This invitation was personally delivered to my house. How

eyes caught mine. I pretended to shrink back into

my hand and whispered, "I'll go check

so much so that in my previous life, he

come with

but to take me along. When Kate attempted to follow, Claude said 'Stay here, see if there's anything suitable for