Seven Years to Clear Her Name

At our engagement party, he screamed in my face.

"You venomous bitch! You killed my mother?"

He ground her life-saving medicine under his heel. She died in my arms.

So I stabbed him. He sent me to prison for two years.

Seven years later, he's a CEO, and I'm a ghost in the crowd.

He raises a glass.

"Her knife didn't kill me, but it carved out the last of my heart."

"Does she regret it?" he asks the world.

Oh, I do.

I regret that my knife didn't cut deep enough.

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1

Liam Chandler's gaze fell upon me.

The reporters followed his line of sight, turning their cameras on me.

"Who is that woman? Judging by her clothes, she doesn't look like she belongs at this conference."

"Mr. Chandler’s eyes are blazing when he looks at her. Could she be the woman from the rumors?"

Just then, a woman in a haute couture gown walked over quickly.

The reporters immediately turned their cameras to her.

Her name was Holly Quinn, once my best friend.

Now, she was Liam Chandler's fiancée.

She draped herself over Liam Chandler's arm, like a couple deep in love.

The next second, she saw me, and her expression froze.

"Claire?"

She walked toward me hesitantly.

Liam Chandler's friend, Chase Harlan, immediately rushed over.

He spread his arms to shield Holly Quinn, taking a protective stance.

"Holly, get away from her! She’s psychotic!"

"Have you forgotten? This is the woman who nearly killed Liam with a cake knife! Everyone, stay away from her!"

At his instigation.

All the reporters in the room looked at me with contempt.

After he finished.

Holly Quinn put on a saintly act.

She glided toward me gracefully.

"Please, don't report baseless rumors. Claire… she was once my best friend."

"She definitely didn't mean to stab Liam with that knife! Please don't twist the story."

"Now… now she's been released from prison…"

She choked up, her gaze sweeping over me.

"You can see from her clothes… she must be having a hard time. I'm begging you, please leave her alone, okay?"

Thanks to her performance.

The looks I received from the crowd grew even more disgusted.

I just found it all tedious.

I picked up the cupcake I had gotten for my daughter and turned to leave.

Chase Harlan darted forward, blocking my path.

"What do you think you're doing? What’s in the cupcake? A weapon? As long as I'm here, you won't hurt anyone!"

I couldn't be bothered to waste my breath on him.

"Excuse me, I'm going to the restroom."

I got to the restroom.

My daughter Ruby’s name flashed on the screen.

"Mommy, when are you coming back? Aren't there lots of cupcakes at the conference? Can you bring one for Ruby?"

"You little glutton, I know. Mommy will be back as soon as I'm done here."

Just as I hung up, the restroom door was violently kicked open.

A face, dark with fury, appeared before me.

Even after seven years, Liam Chandler’s face.

Was still so handsome it was arresting.

But my heart felt nothing.

"What? It's been so long, and not even a hello?"