Chapter 15 If He’s Innocent, Are You Innocent Too?

Claire lowered her eyes in embarrassment from Simon’s blunt words. "I know…” Noticing the shift in her mood, Simon realized he had been too harsh. “I know my choice of words aren’t the best, but I trust Miss Schmidt understands what I mean. Either way, under no circumstances should you mention today’s happenings. If you do, I won't be able to save you.” Simon turned and left. If Claire was understanding, she would not bring up this incident. Claire waited for about five minutes before she walked up and knocked on the door. “Come in.” Mason’s voice was cold and unforgiving, laced with a hint of anger. Claire hesitated for a moment before she opened the door and stepped into the office. Mason was seated in front of the French windows with his back turned away, peering at the ground. Remembering the chill in his voice, Claire stayed silent. The atmosphere was still. Mason wrinkled his brow at the silence that had lasted and turned his wheelchair around. Who would have thought that he would be greeted with the sight of a sickly, pale face? What are you doing here?” he said, furrowing his brow. “I...I’m your assistant.” Claire raised her head and looked at him. Had he forgotten what had happened before? “An assistant who doesn’t even know how to make coffee? Do you think I need someone like that?” His lips curled as he let out a cold laugh. Claire bit on her lip as her hands curled into fists. “I’ll try my best. What kind of coffee do you like? Do you have a cup you could give me?” “If I give it to you, you’ll brew me a cup according to my tastes?” Claire nodded. "You can do that?" Mason mocked. Mason decided to give her a chance. He placed the cup of coffee onto the table and said, “Brew it according to this. You only have one chance.” Claire stared at the cup of coffee for a second before she picked it up and left the room. Mason wheeled himself to his desk, picked up a file, and began reading. Roughly ten minutes had passed before he raised his eyes and looked towards the door. No movements. The woman had yet to return. Hah, had she been frightened? Taking ten minutes to make a cup of coffee? Another ten minutes passed. There was still no movement by the door. Mason wrinkled his forehead. What on earth was that woman up to? Did she think it was fun to mess with him? Walking away with his coffee without any trace? Slap! Mason shut his file angrily. Footsteps echoed at the door the moment he was about to take a look. Claire had an uneasy expression on her face as she walked in with a cup of coffee. She did not dare to meet his eyes. “You wasted twenty minutes.” His icy voice rang out, berating her. “You didn’t give me a time limit before,” Claire said quietly biting her lip. "You!” At a loss for words, Mason laughed bitterly. “So you think you have a point?” Claire did not want to argue with him. “Try it,” she said as she pushes the coffee towards him. The scent of the coffee lingered in the room, wafting a thick, aromatic scent. Mason’s eyes narrowed as he smelled the rich aroma. “I know it might not be as good as your brew, but I’ve tried my best.” Seeing how he did not move, Claire took the initiative to bring the coffee before him. Mason had not planned on acknowledging her but had met her eyes. She looked back at him with anticipation. She looked like an abandoned pet. Inexplicably, Mason reached out and took hold of the cup. Danger rippled in through his eyes after he took a sip. Sensing the change, Claire instinctively took a step backward, looking at him nervously. “What are you hiding from?” Mason wrinkled his forehead and looked at her in displeasure. “Scared that I’ll pour the coffee on you?” Claire pursed her lips. It seemed that he had guessed what she was thinking about. Mason took another sip of coffee before handing her the cup. “How… how is it?” She asked as she hurried to retrieve the cup. Mason directed his gaze elsewhere before he said nonchalantly, “A bare pass.” “Really? Does that mean I can stay?” Claire rejoiced, a smile appearing on her face when she heard that. That happy voice... Mason glanced at her. From her first day, the expression on her face had always been nervous. It was obvious she was always walking on eggshells in the Yeich house. Her smile had changed her disposition and revealed a fair, pretty face. Her eyes lightened from her usual cold eyes. Mason’s heart felt irritable as if something had tried to make its way there. He fixed his tie and coldly replied, “Did I say you could stay? What are you going to do about the baby?” Claire’s face paled and her fingers clenched together as Mason brought up the subject of the baby. “Not saying anything? It seems that you’re planning on keeping it?” Claire raised her head to look at him. “Must you be this cruel? The baby is innocent!” Mason bellowed with laughter as the disdain in his eyes grew. “If he’s innocent, are you innocent too? If he knew that his mother was a scheming, calculating, vain woman, I can guarantee that he’ll regret ever being born.” The words struck through Claire’s heart, causing her to turn green. “You…” This was ridiculous! “Ever since I took Yvonne’s place to marry into the Yeich family, you’ve labeled me as a scheming, vain woman, right?” “Wrong, you left one out.” “What?” Claire’s eyes widened. “Shameless.” Claire nearly bit her lower lip off. “Either way, he is innocent, please…please give me a chance.” Claire felt disheartened, leaving her head hanging. She could not reveal the truth to him, but could only do her best to plead. Plead with him to let the child in her stomach go. Mason gave her a calloused look. His thin lips did not move. “When two days pass, if the child is still there, I’ll do it myself.” ... Two days had passed in the blink of an eye. Claire did not go to the hospital for an abortion. Sophia had met with her and settled affairs with Mason. She had consulted a few doctors to see if there was any way for her to abort the baby without risking her life. Yet, Claire wholeheartedly did not want to abort the baby. She wanted to keep her child! Sophia declared her insane when she heard what she had said. Claire was extremely calm. “I’m not insane. I want to keep my baby. This is a life that my womb has created!” “I’m not insane. I want to keep my baby. This is a life that my womb has created!” Claire said calmly. “Are you crazy? The child will have no father after they’re born. Besides, will the Yeich family let you keep the child? They’re one of the most reputable families.” Right, that was indeed a serious problem. Claire cradled her stomach, her gaze melancholic. “I’ll think of a way.”