The Billionaire's Stolen Bride

MARRY ME II

It had been a week, and Claire was finally ready to leave the hospital. Her injuries had healed, and her fever had subsided. The discharge process was swift—being a patient in her family’s hospital meant she didn’t need to worry about formalities or payments.

As she stepped into the corridor, staff members paused and bowed in greeting whenever she passed. She acknowledged them with a small nod and a warm smile. Even the hospital staff admired her; there was something undeniably captivating about Claire Harry. Despite just being discharged, she walked as though she were a runway model, her head held high like the wealthy princess she was. But beneath her composed expression, her mind was anything but calm.

Stepping outside, a sleek black Porsche pulled up in front of her, its engine purring softly. The tinted windows made it impossible to see inside, and she hesitated. She didn’t know anyone who drove a Porsche. Just as she was wondering, the window to the back seat rolled down, and her eyes locked onto a pair of blue eyes.

"Get in," he said, his tone calm yet firm.

"Sebastian?"

Claire's body stiffened as her gaze met his. Of all people, she hadn’t expected to see him here. Their last encounter still lingered in her mind.

The way his eyes roamed over her made her shift slightly, feeling scrutinized. Taking a deep breath, she slid into the seat beside him, the scent of leather and his cologne filling her senses.

Sebastian's gaze swept over her again, as if searching for something.

"How are you feeling?" he asked at last.

"I'm fine," she replied, folding her arms. Then, with a sharp look, she added, "Stop staring."

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "I was just making sure you're not going to pass out in my car."

She didn’t respond. The driver, unsure where they were headed, remained still.

"Where are you going? Don't tell me you're going…"

"…home," she cut him off, stealing a glance at him. Sebastian narrowed his gaze at her.

"You won't be safe there. If you want to find out what happened to your mother, you need to make sure you’re alive first."

“Olivia won't kill me yet,” she replied calmly. After a moment, she continued, “After Dad died, we requested an autopsy. The doctor only said it was cardiac arrest. I didn’t get to see the report myself. Given the situation we’re in, I’ll need that autopsy. Also, there’s a drug Dad always took. Olivia made sure he took it every day after each meal.”

“What’s the drug like?” Sebastian asked.

“They're just white tablets, that's all I know.”

After a brief silence, Sebastian looked over at Claire again. "Let’s eat first," he suggested, signaling for the driver to take them to a nearby restaurant—one of the newly built Caldwell establishments. It was designed according to Old Cladwell's taste, as Sebastian hadn’t been in the country at the time of its opening. He thought this would be the perfect opportunity to try it out. With Claire.

At La Belle Nuit restaurant,

The setting was pure, elegance—the kind that didn’t need to announce itself. The dim lights cast a warm, golden glow, catching on the crystal glasses and the polished mahogany walls. Gilded frames held oil paintings of aristocrats long forgotten, their gazes watching over the room like silent guardians of old money traditions.

A grand piano sat in the corner, its melody weaving through the room, smoothing over silences and adding a touch of nostalgia.

As soon as Claire stepped in, she was instantly captivated. The towering floral arrangements, the soft hum of a live orchestra, the air rich with the scent of roses and champagne—spoke of luxury and refinement beyond her wildest dreams.

Sebastian, though impressed, remained composed. Unlike Claire, he wasn’t entirely lost in the grandeur of the moment. But when he turned to her, something caught his attention. It was small at first, barely there, but then it blossomed, lighting up her face in a way that stirred something deep within him.

His mind drifted back to her w******p profile picture, the image he had stared at more times than he cared to admit. In that photo, she had been smiling just like this—bright, radiant, effortlessly beautiful. He had never given much thought to why that picture had stayed with him.

A strange warmth spread through his chest at the thought that she was smiling because of him. He had brought her here anyway. He didn’t know why, but the idea that he had somehow made her smile filled him with a quiet happiness he hadn’t expected. And as time seemed to slow, his gaze remained fixed on her.

“What? Is something on my face?” Claire asked, tilting her head slightly as she noticed the way Sebastian was staring at her. His gaze was intense as if he were studying a masterpiece painting.

Sebastian blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. “Huh?”

He didn’t have an answer. His expression shifted back to its usual composed look as he turned away, walking further into the restaurant

Claire watched him for a moment before following, settling into the seat across from him at the table he had chosen. They placed their orders, and a brief silence stretched between them as they waited for the food.

Then, Sebastian finally spoke. “Claire, consider my request. It would be beneficial to you if you marry me.”

Claire’s fingers, which had been tracing the rim of her glass absentmindedly, stilled. Her eyes lifted to meet his, searching for any hint of emotion behind his proposal.

So this was what it was about.

She should have known he had an ulterior motive for that night. She had been drunk, and reckless, and had ended up in his bed without a second thought. But now, with his proposal laid out like a business transaction, she wondered if he would blackmail her with what had happened. Had she been set up?

Claire exhaled slowly, her lips curling into a smirk.

“Mr. Caldwell,” she said, “if you find me irresistibly attractive, you should just say so.” She leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand “Besides, a proper proposal requires you to get down on one knee. Maybe I’ll consider your offer when you follow the correct procedure.”

Her playful yet formal tone sent an unexpected wave of irritation through Sebastian. He became angry at himself for even asking. Silently resolving in his heart to never ask her again. Claire stared at him satisfied with her reply.

But then she found herself wondering. Why would Sebastian want to marry me?