Chapter 44

Claire's POV After work, I went straight to the café where I'd been spending my evenings working on translation projects. The familiar space that had become my second office felt less welcoming today—my exhaustion was so deep that not even the strongest coffee they served could fight it off. I'd ordered a double espresso and was setting up my laptop when I heard a sound that made my blood run cold. Laughter. High-pitched, artificial, and unmistakably familiar. I looked up to see Nicole Montgomery enter the café with her usual entourage of perfectly groomed followers. They were dressed in designer athleisure, the kind of expensive casual wear. My heart sank as I realized my peaceful workspace was about to be invaded. I kept my head down, hoping they wouldn't notice me tucked away in my corner booth. But luck wasn't on my side tonight. "Well, well," Nicole's voice carried across the café with deliberate volume. "Look what we have here. The little secretary, moonlighting as a... what exac