He Betrayed Me, I Married His Powerful Uncle

Chapter 2

The test quickly escalated to Stage Five.

Brandon's mistress, an influencer named Cindy Morgan, started showing off like crazy on her f*******:.

One day she would post the limited edition handbag Brandon gave her. The next day, a private island he booked just for her.

Her latest post was geotagged at the fancy restaurant Brandon and I used to go to all the time, paired with a photo of a table loaded with expensive dishes.

The caption read: [He said the best table in this restaurant is mine from now on.]

Brandon flung his phone onto the table right in front of me.

"Stage Five test: Humility."

"Claire, Cindy is pregnant and she's got crazy picky cravings. Go make her a homemade nutritious pregnancy meal and deliver it to her."

His tone was matter of fact, without a shred of guilt.

Like he was giving orders to a maid.

I was quiet for a moment.

"Okay."

I agreed.

I spent an entire afternoon carefully putting together a perfectly balanced, delicious prenatal meal, then packed it in an insulated container.

When I got to the restaurant carrying the container, Cindy was hanging onto Brandon's arm, laughing and showing off.

When she saw me, her smile froze for a split second, then she immediately put on a bitchy look.

"Well, look who's here! Mrs. Hayes herself came all this way to bring me food. How thoughtful of you."

Brandon sat next to her, watching coldly without saying a word.

I set the container on the table and flipped open the lid.

"Miss Morgan, this meal was prepared to suit your taste and meet the nutritional needs of early pregnancy. Please enjoy it."

Cindy pinched her nose, her face twisting in disgust.

"What is this junk? The smell alone makes me want to puke.

"Claire, did you make this nasty crap on purpose to hurt my baby?"

As she spoke, she waved her arm and knocked the entire insulated lunch box off the table and onto the floor.

Scalding hot broth splashed across the back of my hand, instantly raising a patch of blisters that burned like hell.

I gasped sharply from the pain.

But Brandon jumped to his feet right away and pulled Cindy close to steady her.

"Cindy, are you okay? Did that scare you?"

"Baby, I'm so scared. Was she trying to hurt our baby?"

Cindy immediately squeezed out a few tears and shrank into Brandon's arms.

Brandon's face went completely dark, and he turned to me.

"Claire, apologize!"

I looked at him, and the last bit of warmth in my heart faded away completely.

I lowered my eyes, my voice totally flat.

"I'm sorry, Miss Morgan. That was my bad."

"You think sorry cuts it?" Cindy kept pushing, not letting it go.

"If something happens to my baby because of this scare, can you even pay for it? Get on your knees!"

Brandon didn't say a word—that was as good as a yes.

The other diners around had all turned to look, whispering and pointing at me.

I took a deep breath and slowly bent my knees.

Just then, a deep male voice rang out.

"Brandon, have you had enough of this nonsense? Have you no shame at all?"

It was Nathan Hayes.

He was sitting in a corner not far away, dressed in a black suit, his presence so overwhelming it took your breath away.

Nathan was the second master of the Grant family, and the real power behind Hayes Group. Even Brandon's father has to bow to him.

Brandon fears nothing and no one, except his Uncle Nathan.

The color drained from his face, and he immediately stood ramrod straight.

"I didn't expect to see you here, Uncle Nathan."

Nathan didn't even glance at him. His gaze fell on the red burn on the back of my hand, and his brow furrowed tightly.

"Claire, does your hand still hurt? I'll have my driver take you to the hospital."

His voice held no extra emotion, but it carried an unquestionable, commanding authority.

Brandon's face went pale, then flushed red.

Cindy shut up instantly.

I shook my head. "It's all right, Uncle Nathan. It's just a scratch, I can handle it myself."

Biting back the pain, I squatted down to clean up the mess on the floor.

Ever since I bowed my head and apologized, the recording button on my phone had stayed on.

Cindy's loud, nasty insults were all clearly captured on the recording.

And while I was cleaning up the broken lunch box, I casually pinched the long strand of her hair that had fallen on the table and tucked it between my fingers.

Nathan saw everything that happened.

He didn't say a word. He just stood up and left.

I finished cleaning up, said "Enjoy your meal" to Brandon and Cindy, and also turned to leave.

Walking out of the restaurant, the searing pain and endless humiliation washed over me at the same time.

But I didn't cry.

My plan had already begun, and tears are the most useless thing in this world.

I looked at the strand of hair between my fingers and let out a cold laugh.

'Cindy, your good days are over.'