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.

me, "Stay by my side, and he won't dare

I nodded obediently.

spotted Max in the distance, lifting his champagne in a

he start

must have seen me

looked again in his direction,

it 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 his group out. "Sorry, the organizing committee found that your

Fake invitations?

from a noble family, but still of a

ejecting them, seemingly unafraid of

invitation was personally delivered to

he spoke, his eyes caught mine. I pretended to shrink back into

patted my hand and whispered,

knew Claude was fiercely loyal, especially to his childhood friends, so much so that in my previous life, he even enabled them to bully me. This

come with you,

but to take me along. When Kate attempted to follow, Claude said

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