Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Adopted daughter

The car suddenly picked up speed, and Nelson's voice came through loud with the rush of wind outside. "You in a rush?"

A rush? Seriously?

It's not like she had some urgent plan lined up. No one was waiting for her, especially not with bated breath.

Claire shook her head, a serious look on her face. "Shouldn't you be the one rushing?"

Nelson's lips curved into a faint smirk as he eased up on the accelerator. "I'm not in a hurry."

Claire didn't respond. She tossed him a side glance but kept quiet.

She'd already signed the divorce papers. Tonight at the Thompson villa was just closure. After that, she'd have nothing to do with them anymore.

About thirty minutes later, the car rolled to a stop outside the Thompson estate.

Over the past few years, the Thompsons had been working hand in hand with the Coopers in business, gaining more and more traction in elite circles. They weren't short on fans either. Even now, the mansion's entrance was packed with high-end cars.

Claire stepped out of the vehicle, the cool night air making her shiver. She glanced up just in time to see Nelson, looking sharp in his tailored suit, heading toward the lawn set up for the garden party. With no choice, she gathered her dress and followed him in small steps.

Thanks to Nelson, all eyes were immediately drawn their way.

With roses circling the pianist and a five-tier cake surrounded by a mountain of gifts, the lights and the gaze of the crowd all followed the "prince" as he walked toward the girl playing the piano like she was some kind of fairy-tale heroine.

The whole setup felt straight out of a cheesy romance drama.

To jump into that moment would've been the ultimate third-wheel move. Claire slowed down, trying to fade into the crowd.

But before she could disappear from view, Nelson suddenly halted and shot a glance back at her.

It was like a drama paused for a commercial break-totally out of place.

Not that Nelson seemed to notice. He looked straight at her through the sea of people, his brows pulling together. "Come here."

And just like that, every guest's gaze turned to Claire.

"Who's that? She kinda looks familiar, but I don't think I've ever seen her."

"Seriously? Don't you remember? She's the one who got switched at birth with Serena. The Thompson family kept her out of kindness, raised her like a real daughter. Then she went and stole Serena's fiancé. What a joke."

"I knew something was off! Wasn't she the one Nelson sent abroad right on their wedding day? And she still has the nerve to show up here? If I were her, I'd have disappeared for good. So embarrassing!"

Everyone was whispering, casting judgmental glances her way.

They weren't loud, but Claire could hear them all loud and clear.

She stood there like none of it bothered her, not moving an inch toward Nelson.

The music had stopped when Nelson had spoken, and Serena had already risen from the piano. She walked over gracefully, smiling like a perfect hostess. "Sis, when did you get back? You didn't even tell the family."

No heads-up for her foster parents? Tsk. More people now mentally labeled Claire as "rude with no manners."

Claire smiled politely. "Got back last night. I called Auntie Elena this morning. But I figured you wouldn't want to know, so I didn't say anything to you."

Ever since Serena returned to the family, Claire had stopped calling her adoptive parents mom and dad-she just used auntie and uncle.

"What are you talking about? I'm glad you're back! It gets lonely around here without you, and Mom's always on my case."

Serena pouted at her playfully.

Claire felt a chill crawl down her spine but managed to keep her expression steady as she pulled out a small gift box from her clutch. "Happy birthday."

"You got me a present? Thanks, sis!"

Serena took the box with obvious delight and gave Claire a tight hug.

Claire froze on the spot, stiff as a statue.