After Divorce I Married a Tycoon-Chapter 67: Another Treacherous Banquet

The moment the middle-aged man saw Claire Mercer, his eyes lit up.

He ogled Claire Mercer, his gaze blatant and fixed.

The smile on his face was greasy and sleazy, his expression obscene.

His stare made Claire’s skin crawl, and she felt a wave of nausea.

Just then, Judith Caldwell waved at her with great enthusiasm.

"Claire, come over here, quickly."

When she saw Claire standing motionless, Judith Caldwell’s expression turned cold.

She then strode over in a few quick steps and practically dragged Claire in front of Mr. Bower.

Ignoring Claire’s displeased expression, she introduced her with a wide grin.

"Let me introduce you. This is Mr. Bower, who has just reached a partnership with our family."

"Mr. Bower, this is our eldest daughter, Claire Mercer."

Mr. Bower squinted his eyes into a smile and extended his right hand to Claire.

"A pleasure, Miss Mercer..."

Claire stared at the fleshy hand extended before her, remaining rooted to the spot.

’This Mr. Bower... one look and you can tell he’s a lecherous old creep.’

But just yesterday, Julian Mercer had clearly said that today’s dinner was because Oscar was back.

A family reunion dinner.

So why was this Mr. Bower at the Mercer family dinner?

For an outsider to show up here at this time was just too sudden and strange.

Seeing her standing there dazed and lost in thought, Judith Caldwell whispered urgently in her ear.

"What are you spacing out for? Hurry up and shake Mr. Bower’s hand."

"Let me tell you, Mr. Bower is a very powerful man here in Rhonia."

"You absolutely must not offend him."

"If you screw up our family’s partnership with Mr. Bower, your father will not let you off the hook."

After saying this, Judith Caldwell turned back to Mr. Bower with an apologetic smile.

"Mr. Bower, my daughter is a little shy around strangers, and she’s still young. Please don’t hold it against her."

"Not at all, not at all..." Mr. Bower chuckled.

But his eyes remained glued to Claire.

Julian Mercer noticed Mr. Bower’s impatient expression and frowned.

He was afraid that Mr. Bower’s obscene gaze would make Claire realize what was going on.

If Claire caught on, their entire plan would fall apart.

So, he quickly stepped forward and said with a smile:

"Mr. Bower, since you’re already here, why not stay and have dinner with us?"

His tone implied that Mr. Bower had only come to the Mercer residence to discuss business.

Judith Caldwell immediately understood Julian Mercer’s meaning and chimed in.

"That’s right, our dinner is already prepared."

"If you don’t mind, Mr. Bower, please stay for a simple home-cooked meal."

Mr. Bower was a smart man, too.

While they were discussing Claire earlier, he had heard that the girl had a stubborn streak.

’But that’s fine. I like a challenge.’

’No matter how stubborn she is, I can tame her until she’s completely obedient.’

’No rush. I have plenty of time and energy.’

With that in mind, Mr. Bower reined himself in a bit.

He put on what he thought was an amiable smile.

"Since Mr. and Mrs. Mercer have so graciously invited me, it would be rude to refuse."

Julian Mercer also smiled. "Excellent, excellent..."

"Then let’s eat first. We can eat and chat at the table."

With that, the group went to the Mercer family dining room, talking and laughing.

Only Claire wore a heavyhearted expression.

This whole dinner felt bizarre, making Claire uneasy from head to toe.

She didn’t believe the Mercers would suddenly have a change of heart.

’This dinner... it’s probably another trap set for me.’

’Just like the Sinclair family’s banquet.’

After that stunt the old woman from the Sinclair family pulled last time, alarm bells were ringing in her head.

During the meal, she barely touched her food.

She didn’t even take a single sip of her drink.

Judith Caldwell noticed her caution and asked with a frown,

"Why aren’t you eating your food, or even having a drink?"

Claire said flatly, "I have no appetite."

’Every single person at this table makes me lose my appetite.’

"So dramatic," Oscar Mercer snorted through his nose.

Claire immediately fired back.

"When you needed my blood for a transfusion, I didn’t see you calling me dramatic then, did I?"

"You only manage to put on a pleasant face when you need me."

Every time she gave him blood, he never once said thank you.

It was as if giving him blood was her duty, something she was obligated to do.

"Then after the transfusion, you go right back to acting all high and mighty."

"You look down on me, you can’t stand me, you find me an eyesore..."

"Then give me back all the blood I gave you."

All these years, he had treated her like a servant.

Always acting superior and disdainful of everyone.

"You don’t have the guts to do it, yet you still look at me with such disgust. Don’t you think you’re pathetic?"

Clearly, the three of them knew all along that she was just someone they had picked up off the street.

No wonder the family’s attitude toward her had always been so vile.

She was the only one kept in the dark, thinking they just favored sons over daughters.

In the past, whenever she heard that Oscar was injured and needed a transfusion...

...she would still worry about him, at least a little.

She never complained about giving him blood.

Because she had always believed they were her closest relatives.

Even if he wasn’t particularly good to her, even if her parents favored her brother...

...they were the parents who had raised her, and he was her brother...

That was why she had silently endured their harsh treatment.

But now that she knew the truth about her origins, why should she continue to endure it?

Oscar Mercer obviously hadn’t expected Claire to dare confront him in public.

’She used to be so meek. When did she become so sharp-tongued?’

He was so taken aback by her retort that he didn’t know how to respond, and his face flushed a dark red.

"Claire Mercer, you..."

Seeing Claire render Oscar speechless, Judith Caldwell wanted to rip Claire’s mouth apart.

’This little bitch, she’s really rebelling now.’

’Doesn’t she know whose house she’s in?’

’Yesterday she cursed out my precious daughter, and today she’s cursing out my precious son...’

’It’s been two years since I last put her in her place. Has she already forgotten who she is?’

’If I weren’t planning on sending her to Mr. Bower’s bed to seal the deal with the Bower Group...’

’...I’d tear her mouth and slash her face right now.’

But she knew she couldn’t provoke her right now.

She could only force a smile and try to smooth things over.

"Alright, alright..."

"You’ve been brother and sister for over twenty years. Why must you start fighting the moment you’re back together?"

"Mr. Bower is still here. Don’t make a scene for our guest to laugh at."

After speaking, Judith Caldwell looked at Oscar and shot him a look.

"Oscar, hurry and apologize to your sister."

"Mom..."

Judith Caldwell glared at him. "Hurry up. Don’t let Mr. Bower see this embarrassing display."

"You’re the older brother; you need to act like one."

With that, she pinched Oscar under the table.

She whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Don’t ruin this."

Only then did Oscar reluctantly apologize to Claire.

"I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that to you just now."

Claire shot him a glance and ignored him.

"Sister, our brother already apologized. You’re not going to be so petty as to not forgive him, are you?"

"What, am I supposed to forgive every single person who hurts me, just because they apologize?"

Scarlett Jewel: "..."

’Claire Mercer has really lost her mind.’

’She’s snapping at everyone.’

She huffed and stopped paying attention to Claire.

Julian Mercer saw that the time was right and immediately raised his wine glass.

"Come, come, let’s all raise a glass."

"A toast to our family’s reunion, and to our new partnership with Mr. Bower."