Chapter 3 Obligations

Claire spent the night alone in the empty room. She got up early and moved all her clothes into the closet, hogging the entire room. She had made matters clear with Mason last night. He probably would not be sleeping here, so the entire room was hers. A titular couple, both with nothing to do with the other. For her, it was a good thing. After changing, Claire went downstairs, where a group of servants were busy working. Feeling hungry, Claire wanted to ask where the kitchen was, but the maid simply reached out and pushed her away. “Where did this woman come from? Get out of the way!” Taken by surprise, Claire fell onto the floor. The maid looked at her condescendingly, but it was quickly replaced by a one of respect. A pair of warm, large hands helped Claire get back onto her feet. Turning her head, Claire’s eye met with a pair of warm, jade-like eyes. He had a white shirt on, which was clean and without a wrinkle. His smile was as gentle as a spring breeze in March. Within a moment, Claire had gotten back to her senses and took two rapid steps backward to put some distance between them. “Thank you.” “You’re welcome, sister-in-law.” “Sister-in-law?” “I’m Mason’s older brother. My name is Liam.” Liam extended his hand toward Claire. Claire stood dumbfounded for a second. So, that was his brother. She extended her hand in a daze to hold Liam’s. “How do you do, brother-in-law.” Her voice was a little strained. “It was the maid’s fault just now, let me apologize on their behalf. I hope you won’t take it personally. The Yeich family is very easy to get along with, I’ll explain the situation to them in the future.” Claire nodded. “Thank you, Brother-in-law.” Liam smiled gently and was about to continue speaking before a cold voice rang out. “Seems like I came at the wrong time.” That voice… Claire looked in the direction it came from. Simon pushed Mason, who was sitting in his wheelchair and had a thin blanket over his legs, over. Despite being in a wheelchair, he looked as if he were the ruler of the world. His gaze was cold, falling on Claire’s face like a pair of razor blades. Claire lowered her head guiltily. Wait a minute, what did she have to feel guilty about? She had just said a quick hello to his family. “Mason, how rare to see you at home.” Liam still had a smile on his face when he spoke to his little brother, but Mason was different. He did not even have any expression on his face as he tipped his head lightly in response. “Brother.” “Well, I won’t interrupt your time with my sister-in-law.” When he finished speaking, Liam looked towards Claire and said gently, “Sister-in-law, I have to head to the office, I’ll take my leave first.” Claire nodded dazedly and watched Liam as he left. Just as she was about to withdraw her gaze, she heard Mason, who was beside her, speak mockingly. “Are all divorced women so impatient? Can’t wait to begin seducing men already?” Claire snapped back to her senses when she heard him. “What did you say?” Mason’s gaze was dark, and there were deep shadows under his eyes. Claire felt heavy hostility from him. Claire bit her lip. “I’m not as vile as you think.” “Oh?” The corners of his lips curled into a mocking smile, it was clear that he had no respect for her at all. “A recently divorced woman who can’t wait to find her second love, are you sure you aren’t vile?” Slightly angry, Claire’s hands curled into fists. Was she the one who had wanted to find new love? She had been forced into it too. However, Claire was not going to tell him that, as long as she could stay. As she thought of that, Claire’s fists loosened. “You’d better keep your promise and stay out of the way of the Yeich family. If I find out you’re using the Yeich family name to get involved in funny business, or you have any malicious intentions towards any members of the Yeich family, I’ll make you wish you were dead instead.” “Simon.” Simon pushed Mason’s wheelchair as they left. After Mason and Simon had left, a maid walked over and said to her, “Second Young Madam, the Old Grand Master wants to see you.” Old Grand Master? Was it the old patriarch of the Yeich family? Claire immediately tensed up. Mom had said no one in the Yeich family had seen Yvonne before, which was why they had dared to let her marry into the Yeich family. Now, hearing that the Old Grand Master wanted to see her, Claire immediately became nervous. “Second Young Madam, please follow me.” The older maid saw Claire rooted to the spot, so she spoke directly to her. Claire came back to her senses and nodded as she followed her. The Yeich family home was humongous. Even with a maid leading the way, Claire still felt overwhelmed walking through it. They soon arrived at the study, and the maid’s attitude became extremely humble. “Second Young Madam, please enter.” Claire thanked her before entering the study. The study looked pretty much how she thought it would look like. It was solemn and dignified, the decorative pieces and bookshelves were all of the vintage styles, with various pieces of artworks displayed on them. Claire glanced at the room before immediately withdrawing her gaze and looking at the person in the room. “Old Grand Master, how- how do you do?” Claire’s eyes met with Old Grand Master’s gaze, and she was immediately captured by his shrewd gaze. Old Grand Master Yeich was sizing her up. Claire was reminded of her identity and became nervous all of a sudden. Not knowing what to do, she lowered her eyelids, afraid that Old Grand Master Yeich would see the guilt in her eyes. She had taken care of things on Mason’s side for now, but what if Old Grand Master Yeich realized she was not Yvonne? What would happen then? “Yvonne!” “Huh?” Reflexively, Claire raised her head, then lowered it again quickly after meeting Old Grand Master’s gaze. Old Grand Master Yeich’s had an extremely sharp gaze. “Mason has had poor health since he was a child. Since you’re now married to him, take good care of him in the future. I don’t need to teach you what to do as a wife, do I?” “I know.” “Tomorrow onwards, you’ll be working alongside Mason, acting as his assistant.” Hearing this, Claire raised her eyes in surprise. “But Old Grand Master, I have a job…” “The women of the Yeich family are not supposed to expose themselves to work outside. If they want to work, they’ll have to be at their husband’s side.” What? Was the Yeich family so medieval? Of course, Claire did not dare to utter these words in front of Old Grand Master Yeich, who did not give her the chance to speak again before dismissing her. After leaving the study, Claire made her way back to her bedroom, still in a depressed mood. Old Grand Master Yeich’s words were absolute. Claire knew that if she did not resign, he would get to the bottom of it. In the end, Claire had no choice but to resign. Her job was quite ordinary. After getting married to Joshua, she worked as the assistant to the general manager of a small company nearby so that she could have dinner ready before he came back from work. Shortly after Claire had handed in her resignation, someone else had taken her place. Claire was stunned for a long time when she heard the news. It was then that she realized, whether work or marriage, there was always someone who could easily replace her. Claire smiled bitterly. The day after her resignation, Old Grand Master Yeich stepped in and got Mason to take her to the company. “I know what you worry about when you refuse to get yourself an assistant, but Yvonne is your wife now, let her stay by your side and take care of you.” The tone that Old Grand Master Yeich used when speaking to Mason was the same as the one he used when he spoke to her. Claire felt that it was odd and wondered what was going on, for she thought the grandfather and grandson duo had a very close relationship. As she was in thought, Claire felt a sharp gaze land on her face. She did not even need to think to know who it was. Mason was staring at her mockingly. “Sure.” Claire was slightly surprised. She had thought… he would refuse. Unexpectedly, he had not resisted. “Alright, go.” The expression on Old Grand Master Yeich’s face softened slightly. Mason sat in his wheelchair without any expression on his face. Simon nodded his head in the Old Grand Master’s direction. “Old Grand Master Yeich, we’ll be leaving for the office now.” “Bring Yvonne with you.” Claire had no choice but to follow along behind Mason. As they left the foyer and stepped into the garden, Mason said mockingly, “Getting into the old man’s good books so soon? Trying to spy on me?” Pausing in her steps, Claire’s delicate eyebrows wrinkled together. “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.” “Hah.” Mason laughed coldly. “It’s best that you never understand, else…”