Chapter hundred fifteen
Author: zaman
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

Claire extended her hand, and Josiah took it, his grip firm as they shook hands. She was taken aback by the intensity of his gaze, his dark eyes seeming to bore into her soul. He held onto her hand a fraction of a second longer than necessary, and Claire felt a shiver run down her spine as she pulled away. He had a lustful glint in his eyes that almost made her groan.

“What was it and men leering at her?" She thought inwardly and for a second regretted wearing the low neck blouse which seemed to catch Josiah's attention.

“It's a huge pleasure to finally meet you, we've planned this meeting for so long," he said with a welcoming smile.

"The pleasure is all mine," Claire replied and mustered a right smile of her own.

Josiah spoke, his voice low and smooth, his smile charming. "You're even more beautiful than I imagined."

Claire smiled politely, trying to hide her discomfort. "Thank you, Josiah. I get that compliment a lot," she replied and shrugged.

She looked at the man closely. S
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    Josiah's expression darkened, his lips compressing into a thin line. He seemed to be struggling to maintain his composure, his eyes flashing with irritation. "I see," he said finally, his voice tight. "Well, I suppose that's understandable.""Of course it is, or would you want it any other way?” She asked, her tone almost challenging. He leaned back in his chair, his movements stiff. "Very well, we'll wait for your lawyer to arrive. But in the meantime..." He signaled to the waiter, who was just walking by with a bottle of some whiskey. "Bring us some wine. The best you have."Claire's gaze never left Josiah's face, her expression stiff. "I don't drink," she said flatly, her eyes half closed as she spoke, like she was already bored of his presence. Josiah's eyes narrowed, his face reddening slightly. "Come now, Claire. Just one glass," he coaxed, his tone trying hard to remain sweet. But Claire remained unmoved, her eyes cold and unyielding. "I said no, Josiah. And I mean it."The

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    “Why are you sounding so shocked? I'm sure you've been well aware that I got back into the city for a few months now. Did you really think I wouldn't pay a jolly visit home? And did you think when I found out you weren't ‘around’ that I wouldn't be curious?" He asked. "What did you do with Uncle Williams, huh? Try to turn him against me? Try to make him believe your lies?" Josiah asked. Bryan shrugged, his smile never wavering. "He's my uncle too, Josiah . And last time I checked, it's my home too, Josiah, I have the right to be anywhere,” he replied heatedly. And I must say, it really is beneath you to think of going to such lengths just to hide yourself. I'm sure Uncle didn't tell you because he's always been so eager to protect you. But don't worry, I decided not to bother him. I knew I would discover the truth myself, and I did, didn't I?"He said this with a cocky smile, grabbing Claire's hand and placing a soft kiss on her knuckles. Josiah's eyes flashed with anger, his face r

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    Bryan turned to the left and drove the car under the shade of an almond tree, turning to look at Claire. Her expression was concerned, her eyes reflecting the pity he felt for him. "Please don't tell me that you're going in there to speak with your brother again. I think this has been toxic enough, it's clear they don't want you here," Claire said, shaking her head.Bryan smirked, his eyes twinkling with amusement. He wasn't interested in what his family thought of him. As a matter of fact, he was used to his family picking his brother over him. He just wanted to know why and precisely what that had to do with his predicament after the army."No, I'm not going back in there to rant with Josiah or Uncle Williams, I've made my peace with them," he said, his voice calm."Then what's the matter?" Claire asked, her brow furrowed with worry."I have someone I need to meet," he replied, his eyes fixed on hers."Who is this Jenkins you're speaking of?" Claire asked, her voice curious.Bryan

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    Jenkins laughed again, the sound a little too shrill and mechanical. "You can't choose your family, Bryan. They're stuck with you, no matter what."Bryan's eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. "I don't want to talk about my family, Jenkins. Can you let it go?!” He asked with a harsh tone. But for a second, he couldn't help feeling pity for him. Once again, he was clearly not mentally well and it showed. "Have you been taking your medications?" He asked with a low tone, his worry evident.Jenkins scratched his head, his eyes clouding over. "Yeah, they said life can't be the same again. I guess this is what they mean. Everyone thinks I'm insane," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.Bryan's eyes bulged, he couldn't believe that he'd just made the man feel bad. "I didn't mean that at all, I was just trying to make sure that you're fine," he said, his voice softening.The old man smiled and waved him off. "Yeah, you don't have to say it, I can see it in your eyes," he replied,

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    Jenkins laughed again, the sound a little too shrill and mechanical. "You can't choose your family, Bryan. They're stuck with you, no matter what."Bryan's eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. "I don't want to talk about my family, Jenkins. Can you let it go?!” He asked with a harsh tone. But for a second, he couldn't help feeling pity for him. Once again, he was clearly not mentally well and it showed. "Have you been taking your medications?" He asked with a low tone, his worry evident.Jenkins scratched his head, his eyes clouding over. "Yeah, they said life can't be the same again. I guess this is what they mean. Everyone thinks I'm insane," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.Bryan's eyes bulged, he couldn't believe that he'd just made the man feel bad. "I didn't mean that at all, I was just trying to make sure that you're fine," he said, his voice softening.The old man smiled and waved him off. "Yeah, you don't have to say it, I can see it in your eyes," he replied,