Only I knew the truth: I never needed her protection. I'd played the supporting role solely to feed her fragile ego.
And now she was weaponizing that concession against me?
Ridiculous.
I didn't bother arguing. I gave her one cold look, turned, and walked into the bedroom to grab my suitcase.
Claire frowned, composure slipping. "Where are you going?"
I ignored her and walked out.
In the corridor, a small figure was curled in the corner. When the child saw me, his eyes lit up—then panic replaced the gloom.
"Auntie Ruby... Daddy! Mommy!"
My footsteps froze. I turned slowly to face the two people behind me.
Claire went rigid. Beside her, Colin flushed a deep, guilty crimson.
"Silly Joseph, this is Auntie Claire." Colin grabbed the boy, pulling him behind his legs like a shield. His voice dripped with practiced helplessness. "Ruby, listen. It was just one time. Claire and I took him to the amusement park, and I casually mentioned Auntie Claire would protect him like a mom. I didn't expect him to take it literally..."
As he finished his frantic explanation, he glanced at Claire. His eyes didn't hold apology—they rippled with lingering, sickening intimacy.
The scene before me was clearly a tacit family of three.
When they'd visited the amusement park no longer mattered. The betrayal was already woven into the child's vocabulary.
I looked at Claire. She opened her mouth, then closed it, hesitation written across her face.
I raised my left hand.
She could have blocked it. She saw it coming. Yet she let it fall.
Smack.
The sharp sound echoed through the hallway, punctuated by Colin's startled gasp and Joseph's frightened shriek.
I quietly admired the result. The red handprint on her left cheek now perfectly matched the one on her right.
"So you've already become a mother, Director Vance." My voice was dangerously calm. "Deeply devoted. Congratulations."
I smoothed my cuffs. "On the day of your wedding banquet, send me an invitation. I'll use my own appointment letter—the one with my name on it—as your wedding gift."
The words landed, and Claire's lowered eyes snapped up. Guilt vanished, replaced by defensive arrogance.
"You want to take over my position?" She scoffed. "You still don't have the ability."
"Whether I do or not," I replied, meeting her gaze, "you know better than anyone."
I didn't wait for a response. I turned toward the elevator.