Blackmailing His Runaway Bride by Dance-is-me (carter reed .txt) 📗

Claire noticed the suspicious man walking ahead of her son and she became instantly curious. 

The man looked like he worked for a very dangerous person and she hoped her son had not gone as far as teaming with such people to help his business.

"I have a message from your father," the suited man said, his unfriendly eyes scanning the room.

"Charles? Which father is he talking about?" Mrs. Oxford wasted no time in asking.

"Who do you think it is?" Charles faced the man after dismissing his mother's question. "What is the message?" he asked the man.

"Your father wishes to meet you." Charles scoffed so hard, his reaction was impossible to ignore. "He respects your choice and wants to meet you regardless."

"Why didn't he say that earlier? If not for his conditions, we would have met already."

"Do you intend to meet him?" Claire asked and her son raised a brow at her.

"That has been my intention all along. I just grew tired of his many conditions. So, yes. I want to meet him. And yeah, Mother..." He adjusted his stance and she could sense her son wearing a kind of aura she didn't recognize. "... I don't want you to stop me."

"I don't want to," she replied.

" What?"

" I am not going to stop you from seeing your father." Charles arched another brow, suspicion drawn all over his face. After giving Charles a small smile, Claire faced the questionable man. "When does Ordinaz want to see him?"

"Whenever Charles is ready," the man answered. And a look that was trying to figure out who she was boldly written on his face.

"Charles, go and meet your father." Claire sighed and a little peace found her. If Charles visits his father, he will be safe from Gabriel's crazy plan for a while. 

Still wearing a look of doubt, Charles faced the man. "Can I have the address?" A quick nod from the tall man and soon, a piece of paper with some writing was in Charles's hand.

Seconds later, the visitor was gone.

"Mother, you were about to say something earlier," Charles reminded her, and Claire could not help but shiver a bit.

"Yes, about that..." Claire clutched her bag's handle tighter. "I, uh..."

"Is it that terrible?" Charles asked and her chest sank at the look on his face.

"It is about Daphne."

"Excuse me?" 

"I sent her to you." Mrs. Oxford's eyes fell onto the ground. "I told her to pretend the pregnancy is yours. I-"

"Get out." The simple statement came out as a low growl and Claire Oxford knew it would be wiser to leave while he was still calm.

 So, as quietly as possible, with her heart still sinking, she left her son's sight.

When the entrance door finally closed behind her, a strong exhalation escaped from her insides and she stood still for a minute.

Claire could not start to imagine the things Charles would be feeling toward her. 

But she knew for certain that she wouldn't be seeing him for a while. She didn't deserve to appear in front of him at all. 

 So, after a little composure, Claire Oxford reminded herself that the least she could do for her son was to recall her earlier determination... Her determination to protect Charles from Gabriel Manifold. 

At all costs...