After Divorce I Married a Tycoon-Chapter 212: It’s Time to Get Rid of Her

After the car entered the underground parking garage of Azure Residence.

The low hum of the engine was swallowed by the stillness of the night.

The cold, overhead lights cast a faint sheen over the car’s body.

Hughes slowly turned off the engine and looked back at Adrian Sutton.

He didn’t dare say a word, even keeping his breathing shallow.

After all, the Young Madam was sleeping so soundly.

If he made any noise and disturbed her...

He might just see his generous year-end bonus docked in one fell swoop.

Claire Mercer was sleeping soundly with her head tilted, her cheeks still rosy.

This time, her drunkenness was different from their first official meeting.

Last time, she had been dead drunk, an absolute emotional wreck.

She had cried and screamed, hitting and cursing at Adrian Sutton...

This time, however, she was docile and quiet, sleeping peacefully.

There was even a faint smile on the corners of her lips.

It seemed she was having a very sweet dream.

Her long lashes, as thick and curly as a baby’s, cast small, fan-shaped shadows beneath her eyes.

Her eyelashes were exquisite—as dense as a midsummer night’s sky studded with stars.

They curled up at a perfect angle, each lash distinct yet orderly.

Like a butterfly’s meticulously preened wings, they rested gently on her eyelids.

Soft light from the overhead lamp fell, blurring a faint, fan-shaped shadow beneath her eyes.

Her curled lashes quivered slightly with each of her steady, shallow, and even breaths.

’She must be exhausted from the recent competition.’

Even the jolt of the car stopping hadn’t disturbed her sweet dreams.

He undid his seatbelt with the lightest of movements and gently straightened the hem of her clothes.

Then he quietly instructed Hughes, "Thank you for your hard work tonight. I’m sorry to make you work overtime."

Hearing this, Hughes was taken aback, completely flattered.

’Since I started working for the boss, when has he ever thanked me for my hard work?’

’Sure, he never short-changed me on bonuses—he’d even give extra.’

’But I’ve never received this kind of verbal appreciation before.’

’Ever since the boss married the Young Madam, he’s become so much gentler, more human.’

’This marriage was a great thing for the boss.’

’If I’d known he’d get this gentle after marriage, with bonuses handed out so freely...’

’...I would have helped him pursue the Young Madam ages ago.’

’In any case, I’ve cracked the code for getting bonuses now.’

’Just do things that are good for the Young Madam, and I can’t go wrong.’

With this in mind, Hughes respectfully whispered to Adrian Sutton.

"It’s no trouble at all, Boss. It’s my duty."

Adrian Sutton gave a soft "Mm," and said, "Alright, it’s late. You should head home."

"Of course, Boss. If the Young Madam needs anything to sober up, just call me anytime."

"I know." With that, Adrian Sutton carefully leaned over.

His arms slid steadily under the crook of her knees and the back of her neck.

As his fingertips brushed against the warm skin of her neck, his grip unconsciously softened even more.

He moved as if holding a fragile piece of glass, afraid the slightest bit of force would shatter this tranquil moment.

The moment he stepped out of the car, a gentle night breeze slipped in from the vent.

It brushed through the ends of his hair and stirred the wisps of hair on the forehead of the woman in his arms.

Adrian Sutton instinctively pulled her closer, slowing his pace to a near crawl.

His leather shoes made almost no sound on the polished concrete floor.

The lights and shadows of the garage flickered across his form.

He gazed down at the serene face of the woman in his arms, the weariness in his own eyes completely replaced by tenderness.

To others, he was a mysterious and powerful business magnate, decisive and commanding.

But only he knew that all the fleeting fame and fortune in the world could not compare to the person in his arms.

To him, Claire Mercer had never been just anyone.

She was the only light in his desolate years, a unique treasure he would spend his entire life protecting.

*

「Meanwhile, at the Sinclair family’s old residence.」

Scarlett Jewel was still oblivious to the fact that the Sinclair family was planning to dispose of her as soon as she gave birth.

She was still gloating, convinced she had the Sinclair family by the throat.

She proudly caressed her burgeoning belly, a smug smile on her face.

"Oh, baby, you really are mommy’s lucky star."

"Mommy’s lifetime of wealth and glory is all thanks to you."

’What does it mean for a mother to gain status through her child?’

’I’m the perfect example of it.’

’So what if the Sinclairs suspect the child in my belly isn’t their blood?’

’It’s not like they have a choice. After all, the child in my belly is worth billions, isn’t it?’

The thought of the Sinclairs being utterly powerless against her filled her with immense satisfaction.

She hadn’t felt this good since marrying into the Sinclair family.

"Mama Duane, where’s the watermelon I asked you to cut?"

Mama Duane said, "Mrs. Sterling, watermelon is a ’cooling’ food."

"Besides, since you’re carrying the young master, you need to control your sugar intake to avoid gestational diabetes. It’s best to eat it in moderation."

Normally, a comment like that would have earned Mama Duane a slap across the face from Scarlett Jewel.

But Scarlett was in a good mood today, and since she knew gestational diabetes was a real concern, she didn’t press the issue.

’Whatever.’

’So what if the plagiarism scandal came out?’

’Claire Mercer couldn’t do anything to me, could she?’

’So what if my dark past was exposed?’

’The Sinclairs couldn’t do anything to me either, right?’

’Not only do they not dare kick me out of the Sinclair family, but they also have to wait on me hand and foot.’

The thought that her position as Mrs. Sterling was now completely secure filled her with glee.

"Forget it, just get me some other fruit," she said.

Mama Duane was a little surprised.

’Since when was Mrs. Sterling so reasonable?’

’Could the scandal being exposed have caused her to change her ways?’

She didn’t dwell on it, simply nodding obediently. "Of course, Mrs. Sterling."

Scarlett Jewel smiled again and stroked her belly.

It was rare to see a trace of genuine tenderness on her face.

However, the thought of her past scandals being exposed for all the world to see...

’...was still a huge embarrassment.’

She could even feel the household servants looking at her differently.

’Even if the Sinclairs couldn’t touch me...’

’...the thought of my dirty laundry being aired in public...’

’...still made a surge of anger rise in her chest.’

’Which bitch exposed my past?’

She had been mulling over that question all night.

In the end, after thinking it over, she fixed her suspicion on Claire Mercer.

’Only Claire Mercer hates me enough to go to such lengths, to dig up every last skeleton in my closet.’

’After all, I haven’t made enemies with anyone else. Only Claire Mercer has always hated me to the bone.’

’If it were the old Claire Mercer, of course, I wouldn’t suspect her.’

’She had no money, no power, and no connections. Even if she’d wanted to investigate my past, it would have been impossible.’

’But now she’s the adopted daughter of the Rowan Family, and they have power and influence.’

’She probably got the Rowans to help her dig up my dark past.’

She already hated Claire Mercer to the core, and now that Claire had plunged her into this scandal... 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

’...and with the design competition finals next week... ’

’...I think it’s time to get rid of that thorn in my side, Claire Mercer.’

’She dared to expose my past scandals. How can I just stand by and watch her win the championship?’

’She’ll even end up collaborating with CZ Group, and her design career will be a smooth ride to the top.’

’That’s something I absolutely cannot accept. Something I will not tolerate.’

As she thought this, her mind turned to those stray dogs from the Mercer family.

’I’ll have them get rid of Claire Mercer for me. It’ll be a perfect chance to eliminate the rest of the Mercer family as well.’

So, she immediately took out her phone and made a call to Judith Caldwell.