Falling into Her Trap: Don't Cross the Line, Mr. President-Chapter 70: You Think You Can Touch What’s Mine?

Chapter 70: Chapter 70: You Think You Can Touch What’s Mine?

Evening.

Ian Rhodes arrived with the painting as agreed, a hint of reluctance on his face. "I really like this painting. Why return it for no reason? I actually think Ms. Shaw’s work has quite the spirit."

Owen Crawford sat beside him with a somber face, his mind filled with the cold image of Claire Shaw flipping him over.

The woman he had yearned for all these years, how could he let go!

Seeing him silent, Ian continued to persuade, "Dude, you’re about to get married. Although women aren’t a big deal in our circle, at least you need her consent, right? And Ms. Shaw looks like a tough one. If you corner her, even a rabbit bites when forced."

Owen lit a cigarette and gave Ian a cold glare. "You sure talk a lot."

Just as he finished speaking, he saw Claire Shaw driving over in her little Beetle.

Without a word, Owen opened the car door and got out.

He didn’t even wait for Claire to enter the studio, blocking her at the entrance.

Claire was wearing a loose silk blouse with a bow tied at the collar, her hair loosely tied at the back of her head, looking pure and graceful.

She had merely lightly applied some eyebrow pencil and lipstick, yet she was stunningly beautiful.

"Mr. Crawford, Young Master Rhodes," Claire greeted casually.

Owen exhaled a ring of smoke, his voice a bit hoarse, "Claire, it seems breaking up had no effect on you."

She even looked fresher and brighter than before, an indescribable feeling.

Ian spoke awkwardly, "Ms. Shaw, I’ve brought the paintings."

He opened the trunk, revealing several paintings. He even reached out to touch them, "I actually really like these paintings and have kept them well."

Owen impatiently interrupted, "There is still six million left, how will you pay it?"

He was certain Claire couldn’t come up with the money. The orphanage situation could be considered fortunate with Ethan Blackwood bailing her out, and the house escalation seemed plausible with a low-sale price.

This is six million, not sixty thousand!

With her teacher’s salary, how could she pay it back in such a short time?

Seeing the contempt on his face, maybe from start to finish, he never truly saw her.

And never considered having a relationship with her on equal terms.

His so-called pursuit and accommodation were his self-righteous condescension.

Fortunately, she never had any feelings for such a man.

Owen, holding a cigarette between his middle and forefinger, walked toward her as Claire’s back pressed against the car mirror.

"If you can’t come up with the money, I can let you go as long as you behave..."

He raised his hand to stroke Claire’s cheek, but before he could touch her, his shin was kicked.

"Get lost, stay away from Ms. Shaw."

Mason Blackwood had somehow gotten out of the car and fiercely kicked Owen.

Frowning, Owen thought about Claire’s profession. Occasionally when parents forgot to pick up their kids, it was common for her to help watch them.

"You little brat, get out of the way. Didn’t your mom teach you manners?"

"Enough!"

Claire coldly interrupted, taking out a pre-prepared check from her bag. "Look closely, this is the remaining balance."

Owen was shocked, "Where did you get the money? Are you clinging to..."

"Shut up! Don’t think everyone is as dirty as you. This money was earned through my own hard work. Surprised? In your eyes, I’m just a pretty face, but to others, I’m a rare genius."

Claire straightened her back, holding Mason’s hand, "Owen Crawford, today I tell you, I’m not some toy for men like you. One day, you will hear my name resounding around the world! Now, take your money and get out of my life, don’t let me see you again!"

"Impossible, how could you gather such an amount, did your promiscuous mother again hook some wild man who gave you..."

"Slap!"

Claire slapped Owen hard across the face, though Miranda Shaw treated her poorly, she was still the person that gave her birth and raised her, not allowing others to trample over.

"Owen Crawford, you really disgust me!"

"You dare hit me?" Owen was furious, "Claire Shaw, am I too lenient with you? I..."

Ian, still moving the paintings, didn’t expect the usually gentlemanly Owen to hit a woman; he wasn’t quick enough to rescue Claire.

Mason hated being a child who couldn’t stop Owen’s punch aimed at Claire.

The slap didn’t land on Claire’s face; someone caught his hand mid-air.

From under a black suit sleeve, a Richard Mille silver watch was revealed, an eight-figure price tag. Not many in Meridia could afford one.

The expensive watch glinted coldly under the sunset, much like its owner’s sharp, frosty face.

Owen turned meek, his earlier arrogance vanished when he saw the face, "U-Uncle!"

Ethan Blackwood, like a timely rain, always showed up when Claire needed him most.

He stepped forward to stand in front of Claire, like a wall, shielding her from any danger.

Claire stared blankly at his back.

When she was young and other kids threw stones and insulted her, she ran home crying to tell her mother.

Miranda Shaw glanced at her coldly, "They weren’t wrong; you’re just a little bastard! Had I known you’d be a girl, I would have aborted you."

Later, Claire stopped complaining, she didn’t cry. When someone threw stones again, she picked up a brick and hit back fiercely.

It was the first time someone stood up to protect her.

Gripping Owen’s hand, Ethan steadily increased the pressure. His eyes were frozen tundra, his voice held no warmth, "Were you about to hit a woman or a child just now?"

Claire stared at the hand that had once gently caressed her every inch, now firmly gripping Owen’s wrist.

His hand was bulging with veins, so powerful.

Claire felt it could easily snap her wrist.

Owen winced, pain etched on his face, "Uncle, let go first, I’ll explain everything."

Just then, Mason spoke up unexpectedly with his little fists clenched, "Dad, it was him, he tried to kick me and hit Ms. Shaw. He’s a bad guy!"

He had learned this kind of trick from Dustin Lawrence. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Owen and Ian were startled, Dad?

So this kid was one of Ethan Blackwood’s reputed illegitimate twins?

Yes, Ethan had mentioned before that his child was in Claire’s class.

Owen sweating out of his back, knowing he was in big trouble, quickly begged, "Uncle, you misunderstood, I..."

However, Ethan didn’t bother with his explanation, exuding an intimidating chill throughout, especially those eyes, making Owen fear for his life.

Ethan targeted Owen’s face, speaking deliberately, "My people, and you dare touch them?"

With a "crack," Ethan dislocated his arm.