Chapter 5 - The Kneeling Billionaire
Claire tried to hide her wrist, a sudden wave of deep shame washing over her. The bracelet was old, scratched, and incredibly heavy. It was ugly compared to the delicate, diamond-encrusted jewelry worn by the other women in the lobby.
But Eleanor Crawford did not stop. She bypassed her security detail, walking with intense, singular focus straight toward the weeping, pregnant woman.
She ignored the staring guests. She ignored the spilled clothes.
And then, the ruthless billionaire did something that caused the entire lobby to collectively stop breathing.
Eleanor Crawford dropped to her knees on the freezing marble floor, right directly in front of Claire.
The silence in the room was absolute, deafening, and electric.
Eleanor’s hands, adorned with rings worth more than small countries, were shaking violently as she reached out and gently, reverently took hold of Claire’s wrist.
"Where did you get this?" Eleanor asked. Her voice, renowned for destroying boardrooms, was now fragile, fractured, and trembling.
Claire swallowed hard, terrified. "I... I’ve always had it. The foster agency said it was on me when I was found as a baby."
Eleanor let out a sharp, ragged gasp. Her piercing blue eyes instantly flooded with heavy tears.
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Richard, entirely oblivious to the gravity of the situation, scowled in profound irritation. "Ms. Crawford, I sincerely apologize for this pathetic display," he interrupted rapidly, trying to salvage his VIP status. "My wife is emotionally unstable and prone to theatrics—"
Eleanor did not even turn her head. She raised a single, commanding finger in the air, instantly silencing him.
