Too Late to Love Her: When She Divorced, He Fell Apart-Chapter 70: What Are You Two Playing at This Time?

Chapter 70: Chapter 70: What Are You Two Playing at This Time?

Tristan Lockwood’s gaze darkened slightly.

He could see her unusual behavior, but her thick-skinned demeanor reminded him of their past.

"We’re secretly married, and I’m not bringing family," he said blandly.

Claire Hale’s heart sank, and she unconsciously pursed her lips.

He suddenly changed his tone: "But I can bring my secretary."

She was taken aback, lifting her eyes to meet his half-smiling gaze.

...

On the surface, Jenson Jennings’ birthday banquet was to celebrate his birthday.

In reality, it was a way to maintain good relations with various prestigious families.

Claire Hale followed Tristan Lockwood into the banquet hall, and Tristan was immediately surrounded by the crowd.

Someone noticed her and, seeing how beautiful she was, cautiously asked, "Young President Lockwood, who is this?"

Tristan Lockwood said indifferently, "Secretary."

The crowd exchanged glances.

They examined Claire Hale more closely.

After all, for someone of Tristan Lockwood’s status, if he were to keep a woman by his side without giving her a title, making her a secretary was the best option.

When Jared Jennings approached, he happened to hear Tristan Lockwood say "secretary."

So he cast an inquisitive glance at Claire Hale.

Claire Hale smiled at him, "Hello, President Jennings."

Her way of addressing him had changed.

Jared Jennings walked over and whispered, "What are you two up to now? Cosplay?"

Claire Hale replied seriously, "Whatever Young President Lockwood says, goes."

Jared Jennings looked at her in surprise.

What wind could have blown today to make the hedgehog hide its quills?

Initially, Claire Hale only wanted to see what kind of person Jared Jennings was, so naturally, she decided to remain low-key.

She casually asked, "Why haven’t I seen Director Jennings?"

Jared replied, "My dad and older brother just went to the back to discuss business; they’ll be out soon."

"Older brother?"

"Yeah, you haven’t met him yet; my older brother Jared Jennings. My father has been intending to step back over the past two years, and much of the business has been handed over to my brother."

Claire Hale said, "Your brother seems quite remarkable; your father must trust him a lot."

As soon as she finished speaking, she sensed a sharp gaze directed at her.

Turning her head, Tristan Lockwood was staring at her.

The emotions in his eyes were chillingly cold.

Claire Hale withdrew her gaze, pretending not to notice.

Jared responded, "My brother is now the backbone of the Jennings Family; the family can’t do without him."

She noticed Jared’s expression.

When mentioning Jared Jennings, Jared’s eyes were full of respect and admiration, showing no disrespect at all.

It was evident that Jared Jennings held an extraordinary status in the Jennings Family.

At that moment, Jared and Director Jennings walked into the hall.

Jared quickly went over to them.

Claire Hale stood where she was, watching Jared Jennings from a distance.

Jared Jennings stood tall, mature and steady, exuding a sense of gentlemanly poise and decorum in his every gesture, treating guests with the utmost hospitality.

But for such a man to leave such cruel marks on his wife’s body.

Even harboring improper thoughts about his own daughter.

Claire Hale couldn’t help but feel a chill up her spine.

"Since when did you become interested in Jared Jennings?"

Tristan Lockwood suddenly whispered in her ear.

Claire Hale lowered her eyes, "I’ve just never seen him before, so I took a few extra looks."

"Is that so?"

Tristan Lockwood’s expression remained indifferent, giving nothing away.

Claire Hale said, "Of course."

"You’d better not be interested," Tristan Lockwood’s gaze darkened, "Jared Jennings and Jenson Jennings are two extremes; Jared is a dangerous player you can’t afford to cross."

She was startled and looked up in surprise.

Tristan Lockwood fixed his gaze on her, "What?"

"Nothing."

In truth, Claire Hale was surprised Tristan Lockwood would proactively express a biased opinion about someone, and not a positive one at that.

And Tristan Lockwood’s judgment of people was usually sharp.

If he said that, it meant Jared Jennings was definitely not someone to be trifled with.

At the banquet.

Tristan Lockwood was invited by Jared Jennings to sit at the main table on behalf of the Lockwood Family.

He didn’t refuse and walked over.

Claire Hale was about to follow Tristan Lockwood, but he suddenly turned back and pointed to a distant table, saying, "There’s no seat for you at the main table."

"..."

She obediently walked away.

Just as she sat down, a familiar playful female voice rang out: "President Hale, what are you doing here?"

Joy Sharp, pulling Jude Jacobs, sat beside her with some surprise.

Claire Hale was about to speak when Joy Sharp saw Jared at the main table and immediately assumed she understood,

"Looks like you and Jude’s boss are doing quite well."

Claire Hale rolled her eyes but didn’t bother to explain, only asking, "Why did you and Jude come here?"

Joy Sharp replied, "Jude is highly regarded by their President Jennings, and today he came here to give him the chance to meet the top figures in the industry."

"So Jude brought you as a date to such an important occasion?"

When Claire Hale said this, she was looking at Jude Jacobs.

Jude Jacobs remained expressionless and silent.

Not disagreeing was as good as a tacit confirmation of some sort.

But the person involved didn’t seem to be aware, blushing and saying, "I begged Jude to bring me; he’s too outstanding now, with lots of distractions around, and I’m afraid he’ll be taken away by another woman."

"Well, as long as you’re happy."

Claire Hale affectionately patted her head.

Director Jennings was giving a speech on stage, but Claire Hale wasn’t paying much attention; her gaze drifted now and then, lingering on Jared Jennings.

Until some small fragments of conversation reached her ears:

"Didn’t they say Jared Jennings is already married and has a five-year-old daughter? Why isn’t his wife at this important event?"

"I heard that Jared’s wife’s family isn’t up to par, completely different from the Jennings Family. Maybe they’re too embarrassed to bring her out."

"Their daughter is already five, and they’re still ashamed?"

"Who knows? Anyway, it’s a fact that Jared’s wife has no background. She probably used some unspeakable means to make him marry her. A shotgun wedding is nothing new. You know Jared’s personality—too responsible, just got schemed into it."

Claire Hale looked in the direction of the voices, seeing two men at her table talking.

The two, noticing Claire Hale, were both shocked.

How come they had never heard of such a beauty in the circle?

Claire Hale’s mind was focused on observing Jared Jennings, so she only glanced at the two men and then withdrew her gaze, not noticing the brief flicker of malicious intent in their eyes.

Meanwhile, Joy Sharp accompanied Jude Jacobs, going to socialize and toast at other tables.

So they didn’t see one of the men secretly adding something to Claire Hale’s drink.

Claire Hale originally didn’t plan to drink alcohol, but since it was Director Jennings’ birthday and everyone raised their glasses to congratulate, she couldn’t stand out.

So she picked up the glass on the table and drank.

As the banquet was nearing its end, Claire Hale began to feel a bit dizzy and her body started to heat up.

She knew her own drinking capacity, and although she wasn’t indestructible, a single drink shouldn’t affect her like this.

Could it be she was set up?

Claire Hale took out her phone and messaged Tristan Lockwood, asking him to wait for her so they could leave together.

But at that moment, Tristan Lockwood took a call.