Too Late to Love Her: When She Divorced, He Fell Apart-Chapter 86: Is She Still at Fault?

Just as Tristan Lockwood was losing patience and signaled for the bodyguard to continue, Cindy Skinner suddenly fell to the ground and started wailing:

"I... I just received a strange message saying that if these photos were released at today’s banquet, Claire Hale’s reputation would be ruined! I don’t even know who sent that message; I just thought I could get back at her, so I did it... I didn’t know Claire had you as her backing!"

Tristan Lockwood lowered his gaze, glancing at the woman on the ground.

Then he said to the bodyguard, "Take her to the police station."

After speaking, he turned and left without looking back.

Cindy Skinner was used as a pawn, and no matter what happens to her today, one outcome is certain—

Claire Hale has already suffered tremendous, irreparable harm.

Those who do evil, even if they receive the punishment they deserve, the harm caused to Claire Hale will never disappear.

No matter how powerful the Lockwood Family is, and how well they block the news on the surface, they can’t silence everyone, nor can they stop people from discussing it privately.

It’s clear that today, Claire Hale will be the topic of gossip in every gathering.

She will become a subject of mockery at the tables of the social elites, a joke for them to entertain themselves with in their conversations.

Tristan Lockwood closed his eyes, the image that flashed in his mind was of Claire Hale in the center of the crowd, her face pale and devoid of color.

When he returned to the banquet hall, most of the guests had already been dismissed.

The Elder Lockwood couple were still standing in the hall, both with unpleasant expressions.

Tristan Lockwood approached them and said briefly, "She’s a madwoman. Her own man was unfaithful, kept harassing Claire, and after being sent away, she came back for revenge."

Byron Lockwood’s face turned ashen, "Just a woman, and she dares to cause trouble at the Lockwood venue?"

"She was instigated."

"By whom?"

"I will investigate."

Byron Lockwood’s face darkened, and with his eyes, he signaled for others to leave.

When only he, the Lockwood Matriarch, and Tristan Lockwood remained, he said, "You must investigate this matter thoroughly and give Claire an explanation."

"Yes."

Tristan Lockwood replied.

He scanned the surroundings and immediately frowned, asking coldly, "Where’s Claire?"

"The Jennings kid sent her back." Byron Lockwood paused, then suddenly said, "Luckily today, you didn’t have time to make your relationship with her public."

There was even a slight sense of relief in his tone.

Tristan Lockwood’s eyes suddenly became unfathomable.

This situation reaching such a point meant that for Byron Lockwood, it was absolutely impossible to make his relationship with Claire Hale public.

And perhaps, not only is it impossible now.

In the future, the possibility of making it public is also slim.

More severely, it wouldn’t be impossible to have Tristan Lockwood and Claire Hale dissolve their marriage.

Anyway, Byron Lockwood would certainly not shortchange Claire Hale with financial compensation.

After all, if everyone knew that the Lockwood Family chose a granddaughter-in-law whose indecent photos had been seen by hundreds, that would be a huge embarrassment.

The reputation and face that the Lockwood Family had accumulated over the years are Byron Lockwood’s bottom line.

He would never allow anyone to tarnish the Lockwood Family’s image!

Moreover, Claire Hale’s identity was already sensitive. If the time came and the Hale Family got involved, with their demeanor, who knows how much more trouble they might cause.

In the end, not only would the Lockwood Family be exhausted, but Claire Hale herself probably wouldn’t be able to bear it either.

The Lockwood Matriarch, hearing this, glared at Byron Lockwood with resentment and said tearfully, "You yourself were unfaithful back then, not considering the Lockwood Family’s face, having a child with your unforgettable first love outside! Now Claire is being bullied; she’s clearly the victim. How is she at fault?!"

Byron Lockwood’s face turned ashen, a trace of struggle flickered in his eyes, but he finally said in a bad tone, "If she had been more cautious, would that man have taken advantage?"

"Byron Lockwood, what nonsense are you spouting? After fighting so many battles, has it all gone to your brain? Saying such things, how are Claire and others supposed to view us?"

"Why are you yelling at me? Back then, if you hadn’t spoiled Timothy Lockwood so much, would that brat have done those despicable things? In the end, he was lured away by a vixen, leaving Tristan and his mother alone, still vanished without a trace!"

The Elder Lockwood couple, once they started arguing, began to dredge up old grievances constantly.

After having the driver take them back, Tristan Lockwood hurried straight home.

On the way back, Claire Hale hadn’t said a word to Jenson Jennings.

She just sat quietly beside him, not making a sound or causing any commotion, her state no different from their usual time together.

As Jenson Jennings dropped Claire Hale off at home, he said worriedly, "Claire, I’ll stay with you until Tristan returns."

"No need, Jenson," Claire Hale said, looking at him, "When you helped me earlier, Miss Qin’s expression was already unpleasant."

Jenson looked at her with a mixture of emotions and said, "And at a time like this, you still care about others’ feelings. What about your own? If you’re sad, letting it out might help."

Claire Hale, however, just smiled and shook her head, saying, "I’m not sad."

Inwardly, Jenson sighed.

Just as he was leaving Claire Hale’s home, Tristan Lockwood arrived, getting out of the car with a travel-worn look, his stern face filled with urgency.

At the sight of Jenson’s expression, Tristan Lockwood’s heart sank.

Jenson’s usual gentle and calm demeanor had completely vanished.

Instead, his face held an unusually serious expression.

Tristan Lockwood asked, "How is she?"

"No reaction." Jenson replied, his face grim, then added, "Just like usual."

Tristan Lockwood’s heart sank further.

This was the reaction he feared most.

If Claire Hale had cried or made a scene, even smashing things, he would still feel there was hope.

At least that way, the emotions could be vented.

But instead, she remained as if nothing had happened.

No cries of pain, no tears.

As if she was invincible.

Some nerve within him began to ache, extending and spreading relentlessly.

Jenson glanced at him and said, "Staying with her might help."

Tristan Lockwood didn’t respond and pushed the door open to go inside.

When he reached the entryway, without even having time to change his shoes, he saw Claire Hale coming down with a stack of papers in her hand.

She also held a black pen.

Tristan Lockwood recognized almost instantly that the papers were the divorce agreement he had previously signed and left with her.