THE WOMAN HE COULDN’T BREAK

Chapter 7: Collateral Damage

"Mia, it's me."

"Lazybones!"

On the other end of the line, Mia cried out, delighted — that was her old nickname for Claire.

"You little brat, how long has it been since you called me?"

"I've been really busy lately... Mia, would it be okay if I stayed with you for a few days?"

"What are you even talking about, would it bother me? Quit rambling, hurry up and grab a taxi, I'll cover the fare!"

"...Thank you."

Claire hung up, dragging her suitcase behind her. After thinking it over, she decided to take the bus instead.

Mia — full name Mia Miller — had been her best friend in high school: short, neat hair, five foot seven, which gave her the look of an adorable tomboy.

The moment she saw Claire, she was overjoyed, throwing her arms around her and shouting,

"Dad, Mom, Claire's here!"

Her parents were just as warm. Even seeing the suitcase, they didn't ask a single question — they just told her she could stay as long as she liked.

That night, the two of them lay under the same blanket, just like back in high school.

"Claire, can you tell me what happened?" Mia asked softly.

"Nothing."

"i***t, you think I wouldn't notice if something was wrong?"

Claire suddenly turned and wrapped her arms around her, shoulders trembling slightly.

"Mia, I'm just so tired.''

Mia didn't ask anything else. She simply held her tight.

"Kid, whatever it is, you're not allowed to carry it alone anymore. You've still got me, you know that?"

Claire nodded, letting out a thick, muffled "mm-hm."

In the morning, when they got up, breakfast was already on the table. Mrs. Miller called Claire over to eat, while Mr. Miller asked, with real concern, how she'd been doing lately.

That's when the phone rang.

He picked up, and after only a few words, his face grew darker and darker.

"Why are you firing me? I've been with Moreau for years! I've never made a single mistake — how can you just let me go with no warning? If there's no legitimate reason, I'll take you to court!"

"James, what's going on?" Mrs. Miller asked, worried.

Mr. Miller glanced at the two girls and quickly waved it off.

"Oh, it's nothing, nothing. Eat your breakfast. HR probably made a mistake — I'll go sort it out at the office later."

The moment she heard the word "Moreau," Claire froze.

It was him. Victor Moreau!

The mood at breakfast turned heavy. Just then, the house phone rang again. Mrs. Miller picked up.

"The bank? Oh, yes... You want to take back our house? Why?"

"Mom, what is it?" Mia rushed over.

"What are we supposed to do — the bank says they won't extend our loan anymore, they want to take the house back!"

Watching the Miller family thrown into chaos, Claire understood: all of this had happened because of her!

Her phone buzzed. She answered, and Victor's voice came through, laced with barely concealed indifference.

"Did you get my gift?"

Claire exploded with rage.

"What do you actually want? If you have a problem, come after me directly — why are you hurting my friends?"

"I'll give you one last chance. Either you accept my offer, or I'll make sure everyone around you ends up begging in the streets because of you." With that, he hung up immediately.

Claire stared at her phone, unable to comprehend it. She really didn't understand — she wasn't especially pretty, and she didn't have an amazing figure either. Why was he so obsessed with having her? Just because she'd offended him once?

Victor Moreau — nothing less than a devil.

Stepping out of the room, looking at the family of three sighing in despair, Claire pressed her lips together, as if she'd finally made up her mind...