Dumped, Then Claimed by a Billionaire

She’s Not Just a Shield

A gray afternoon draped over L.A., and before long, the skies gave way to rain, soft but steady. The city blurred beneath a curtain of mist.

Inside the rest lounge of the executive suite on the 101st floor of SIG Headquarters, Clayton exchanged a glance with Lawrence. Once Lawrence gave a subtle nod, Clayton looked toward Lucien, who was seated on the center sofa. He lowered his voice and asked,

“So you really ditched Sienna Hamilton and went and got a marriage certificate with that subordinate of yours—Hannah, was it? The Hamiltons played the ‘favor card’ with your grandfather, probably just trying to pressure you into giving them a great-grandchild. And you actually went and buried yourself in that trap?”

As Clayton finished, Lawrence’s eyes narrowed slightly, watching Lucien with clear amusement.

When they’d first heard from Aaron that Lucien got married—and that the bride wasn’t Sienna—they had practically fallen out of their chairs.

Lucien, of all people—the least likely to get married—had beaten them all to it, and in such an unexpected way.

Lucien slowly lifted his eyes, calm and unreadable.

“Married or not, it’s just one more woman in my life. A subordinate might be more suitable. Or do you think I need someone to play decoy while I keep waiting around for her…”

Lawrence chuckled as Lucien stayed quiet, but before he could finish the thought, Lucien’s dark gaze swept toward him, cold and sharp.

“Marriage was my decision. No one else’s. She’s not a decoy.”

If it wasn’t her, it would’ve been someone else. Since the problem had to be solved, he simply chose the most efficient path.

“They really pushing that hard? It’s not like they haven’t pressured you before,” Clayton asked, frowning. Lucien had never been the type to cave easily.

“It’s convenient,” Lucien said flatly, standing as he spoke.

The air in the room seemed to drop a few degrees. Clayton and Lawrence exchanged a look, both silently baffled.

After Lucien’s footsteps faded into the hallway, they finally let out a breath. Their gazes turned toward Aaron.

“What’s going on with him? Does she know?” Lawrence asked.

Aaron hesitated, then lowered his voice.

“Faith came to see him before he returned to the States. I don’t know what was said, but she left in tears…”

He wasn’t sure what had really happened that day. Faith had lost her temper, cried, and Lucien had simply said one thing:

“As you wish.”

Lawrence and Clayton fell silent, exchanging another glance.

“Have you looked into this Hannah’s background?” Lawrence finally asked.

“Only the basics. Sir doesn’t seem to care. But… she’s a decent person,” Aaron replied.

At least she was prettier than Sienna.

Maybe the old man was just worried that Lucien was still stuck in the past. Forcing a marriage might be a way to get him to start over, hoping he’d move on.

But Lucien wasn’t the type to be ruled by emotions, was he?

“He really is… as unpredictable as ever,” Lawrence said with a sigh.

No doubt quite a few jaws were going to hit the floor this time.

“Does the old man even know the bride’s been swapped out?” Clayton asked.

“No, sir hasn’t said anything. Maybe he’s planning something,” Aaron replied.

After all, since the certificate signing and dinner last night, the newlyweds hadn’t seen each other or even contacted one another. Sir likely pushed the whole matter out of his mind.

“Anyway, I brought in some great stuff from South America on this last trip. Send someone over to pick it up—consider it a wedding gift for your boss’s new wife,” Lawrence said as he shifted his focus elsewhere.

“Yes, Mr. Lawrence!”

…

Evening fell. The rain continued to fall in thick veils.

A black Mercedes slowly pulled out from the side entrance of SIG Headquarters and merged into traffic.

“Sir, heading back to Sterling Heights or Cedarcrest?” Aaron asked from the front seat.

Lucien paused for a few seconds before replying in a low tone.

“Willowbrook Street.”

Aaron was caught off guard for a moment before the address clicked in his mind—Miss Jones lived at 61 Willowbrook Street.

So… Sir finally remembered his new wife?

“Yes, sir.”

…

Hannah got home close to 7 p.m.

She lived alone in an older part of Willowbrook Street. The Jones family had long since cast her out, doing everything they could to get rid of her.

Though the area was dated, it was well-equipped and convenient. She usually commuted by subway—it helped avoid traffic and made it easier to shop at the market down the street. No worrying about parking, either.

Her home was a two-story vintage townhouse.

She set her bag down and was about to wash up and start cooking when the doorbell rang.

When she opened the door and saw who was standing there, her eyes widened.

“You?”

Lucien stood at her doorstep.

“Not welcome?” he asked mildly, taking a bouquet of flowers from Aaron beside him and handing them over.

Pink roses mixed with baby’s breath—simple but charming.

Hannah stared at the bouquet for a moment, visibly taken aback. After a few beats, she collected herself and reached out to accept it.

“Thank you. Come in.”

Of course, seeing each other again felt awkward and abrupt. But considering what had already happened between them, the only thing to do was move forward.

Lucien stepped inside, while Aaron carried in several gift bags and placed them on a side table before quietly slipping out.

Hannah gestured for Lucien to sit, then asked, “Have you eaten yet? I was just about to cook. Want to join?”

“Sure.”

His calm, direct response made Hannah freeze a little.

She had only meant it as a polite offer.

But thinking about their current situation, it wasn’t unreasonable to share a meal.

“Do you have any dietary restrictions?” she asked out of courtesy.

“None.”

Lucien had originally planned to go back to Sterling Heights, but after his conversation with Clayton earlier, he remembered the woman he’d just married.

Since they were legally bound, it didn’t make sense to just leave her hanging.

“Feel free to make yourself comfortable. Watch some TV if you want,” Hannah said, pouring him a glass of water.

“Thanks,” Lucien replied, taking the glass from her.

She placed the remote on the coffee table in front of him, then turned and headed for the kitchen.