After Divorce I Married a Tycoon-Chapter 68: To Marry Her Off to the Greasy and Sleazy Mr. Bower
Claire Mercer only raised her glass, but she didn’t take a single sip of the drink inside.
Ever since sitting down at the dining table, she had just been sitting there quietly, neither eating nor drinking.
Both Julian Mercer and Judith Caldwell frowned.
Judith Caldwell leaned close to Claire Mercer’s ear and asked unhappily:
"What’s your problem? Why are you just holding your glass and not drinking?"
Claire Mercer set her glass down and said flatly,
"I’m not thirsty."
"Even if you’re not thirsty, you should at least make a show of it," Judith Caldwell said.
"Mr. Bower isn’t just our business partner; he’s an honored guest in our home."
"This is his first time visiting. Is this how you treat a guest?"
Claire Mercer said nothing.
She just sat there quietly, listening.
No matter what Judith Caldwell said, her expression remained completely blank.
And her indifferent and unyielding attitude,
left Judith Caldwell feeling utterly stifled.
"Claire Mercer, you don’t actually think we’d drug you, do you?"
Finally, Claire Mercer spoke, her tone detached.
"One can’t be too careful."
Sometimes, the ones who harm you are the people closest to you.
The Mercer family had always been opportunistic, vain, and snobbish.
She didn’t believe this Mr. Bower was really just here to discuss a partnership.
She had just parted ways with Gavin Sinclair.
And the next thing she knew, they were calling her.
Their usual harshness was replaced by a bizarre enthusiasm.
They said they were calling her home for a family reunion dinner, but in reality, they probably had other intentions.
Seeing she remained so impervious, Judith Caldwell grew anxious.
She couldn’t help but raise her voice to question her:
"I’m the mother who raised you. Do you think I’d do something so despicable?"
Claire Mercer finally turned to look at Judith Caldwell.
"I think you would."
Judith Caldwell: "..."
’This little bitch...’
’She’s so on guard.’
She hadn’t taken a single bite of food, nor had she touched the drink in her glass.
She hadn’t just avoided the food; she hadn’t even touched her bowl, chopsticks, or glass.
’She’s clearly wary of us tampering with her food and drink.’
’Has her guard really gone up to this extent?’
’If she doesn’t take the bait, how are we supposed to proceed?’
Judith Caldwell shot a pleading look at Julian Mercer.
Julian Mercer gestured with his eyes for her to be patient.
’There’s still plenty of time, anyway. No need to rush things right now.’
After dinner, Julian Mercer personally saw Mr. Bower out.
At the entrance of the Mercer family villa, Mr. Bower gazed back at the house, reluctant to leave.
"Mr. Mercer, your eldest daughter has a fiery personality..."
Julian Mercer wasn’t quite sure what Mr. Bower meant and asked,
"Mr. Bower, does this mean... you’re not interested in her?"
"No," Mr. Bower said with a laugh.
The fat on his face jiggled uncontrollably.
His eyes, which already seemed small due to his obesity, narrowed into slits.
"She’s exactly my type."
After speaking, he licked his lips and audibly swallowed.
He made no attempt to hide his lecherous, greasy nature.
"For used goods like her, it’s her good fortune that Mr. Bower has taken an interest."
Julian Mercer couldn’t care less whether Mr. Bower was greasy or lecherous.
Nor did he care whether Claire Mercer was willing or not.
His mind was filled with only one thing: profit.
As long as he could use Claire Mercer in exchange for benefits,
it wouldn’t be a waste for the Mercer family to have raised her for all these years.
"It’s just a pity I couldn’t get a taste of her today."
Mr. Bower sighed with regret.
"Don’t you worry, Mr. Bower. Since we’ve already reached a partnership..."
"Isn’t it only a matter of time before you pluck this flower?"
"As they say, good things come to those who wait. Wouldn’t you agree?"
Mr. Bower was somewhat dissatisfied with today’s outcome.
He had thought he’d be taking the beauty home with him today.
But things didn’t go as smoothly as planned.
But that was alright. He loved a fiery little wild mare like her the most.
Besides, some things couldn’t be rushed. It was more interesting to take them step by step.
But whenever he recalled Claire Mercer’s luscious, vibrant lips...
and that exquisite, graceful figure...
Mr. Bower couldn’t help but start fantasizing, growing impatient.
"Three days at the latest," Mr. Bower said.
"If you can’t even handle a small matter like this, I might start to doubt your abilities."
"And if that happens, I’ll have to seriously reconsider our partnership."
Julian Mercer immediately nodded and bowed. "Yes, yes, of course. Three days... I guarantee I’ll deliver her to you."
Only after this agreement was reached did Mr. Bower get into his car and leave, satisfied.
Back inside the Mercer villa, Claire Mercer was preparing to leave for her hotel.
But Judith Caldwell stopped her.
"Where are you going so late?"
"Didn’t we keep a room for you at home?"
Her expression was displeased.
She was quite dissatisfied with Claire Mercer’s behavior that evening.
Guarding against them as if they were thieves—her wariness was excessive.
’Otherwise, she’d already be in Mr. Bower’s bed right now.’
Claire Mercer paused.
"You might as well leave that room as a nest for rats."
"I’m clearly not fortunate enough to enjoy it."
’Dark, damp, and reeking of mildew.’
’And they have the gall to make me stay in a room like that.’
’The Mercer family really doesn’t see me as a person.’
Seeing that she was about to leave after speaking, Judith Caldwell immediately stepped forward to block her path.
"You’ve already been kicked out by the Sinclair family."
"Where can you go if you leave the Mercer family?"
"So what if the room is a bit small and doesn’t have a private bathroom or a window?"
"Isn’t a bedroom just a place with a bed for sleeping?"
"You have a bed to sleep in and you’re still complaining. Do you want to go sleep on the street?"
Claire Mercer said coldly, "To be honest, I really would rather sleep on the street."
With that, she tried to walk around Judith Caldwell.
But Judith Caldwell kept blocking her way.
Claire Mercer’s brow tightened, and her heart sank.
’It seems leaving the Mercer family’s house today won’t be so easy.’
"What are you doing?"
she asked, frowning with deep displeasure.
"Are you trying to restrict my freedom?"
"What do you mean, ’restrict your freedom’?" Judith Caldwell said.
"I’m disciplining my own daughter."
Claire Mercer asked coldly, "What mistake have I made that requires your discipline right now?"
"Besides, I’m just your adopted daughter. I’m not worth you wasting your efforts on."
"You should go discipline your own precious daughter instead."
"Keep her from doing something morally corrupt, like being someone’s mistress again."
Hearing her bring up and criticize her darling daughter again, Judith Caldwell grew furious.
"Claire Mercer, you’re becoming more and more unruly lately."
"We say one thing, and you talk back with ten."
"When did you become so rebellious and unfilial?"
"No matter what you say, you are not leaving the Mercer house today."
Claire Mercer had already guessed what the Mercer family wanted to do.
She was utterly and completely disappointed in them.
But still, she held onto a tiny sliver of hope.
She asked, "What is it you really want?"
Judith Caldwell just snorted coldly and said,
"I’m not afraid to tell you the truth. We’ve decided to marry you off to Mr. Bower."
