Chapter9 Edward's words sent a collective gasp through the crowd that had just been sneering and hurling insults at "No... did I hear that right? Mr. Sterling just said this wretch is his wife?!" "This... this can't be! Isn't she that lowly woman who couldn't even afford a $3,000 dish?" "Yeah... what's going on here?" The restaurant staff were stunned, and Claire's face turned pale with disbelief as she looked at Edward. "Edward... you're joking, right?" "This disgusting, low-class trash... how could she possibly be your wife?" "If she's your wife, then what does that make me?" Edward looked at her, calm yet filled with conviction and tenderness. "Claire... when I married Vanessa Bennett, it was for my mother-in-law and my future." "It was a marriage of necessity, a choice I had no other option but to make." "But you... you are my true love." The meaning was clear. He married me when he was poor and desperate because he had no choice. He chose Claire when he was successful and wealthy because he wanted to, genuinely and wholeheartedly. One was compelled by circumstance. The other was driven by love. Seeing him declare his feelings openly, so transparently, Claire was overcome with emotion. "I knew it, Edward... you still love me," she whispered, clutching him tightly. They stood there, oblivious to everyone else, wrapped in each other's embrace, Claire shooting me mocking, triumphant glances all the while, After what felt like an eternity, Edward finally released her and turned to me. His voice had lost all the softness he once reserved for me. "Vanessa... couldn't we have just gotten along, like before?" "Why did you bring people here to make a scene? Why destroy the last shred of peace between us?" There was no hint of guilt over being exposed as unfaithful in his expression. Instead, he shifted the blame onto me, confronting me for interfering with his happiness. Chapter9 Perhaps he had already hardened his heart completely. Watching him like this, I felt no sadness for him. Instead, a bitter laugh escaped my lips. "Edward... you never cease to amaze me." Thinking back over everything, tears mixed with blood ran down my face. Not for him... but for my mother-in-law, lying on the floor, who had never doubted her son until the very end. I pointed to Margaret's lifeless body, my voice trembling with grief. "Edward... Mom is dead." "She was killed... by your Claire." In "Cinderella's Glass Slipper: The One I’ve Always Loved" by CrushReel, a heartfelt romance unfolds between a woman and the president she has long admired since youth. Overcoming insecurities about her appearance, she finds herself working closely with him as his assistant, leading to unexpected twists and turns in their relationship. This modern romance novel explores themes of self-acceptance, unrequited love, and the dynamics of power and attraction in an office setting. The unique blend of billionaire CEO dynamics, hidden feelings, and the revelation of secrets adds layers of intrigue to the story, keeping readers captivated as the plot unfolds. What sets this novel apart is its delicate balance between sweet romance and the complexities of relationships in a contemporary workplace. With each chapter, readers are drawn deeper into the emotional journey of the characters as they navigate their growing connection amidst professional responsibilities and personal desires. For those seeking a compelling tale that combines elements of romance, secrecy, and personal transformation, "Cinderella's Glass Slipper: The One I’ve Always Loved" is available to read at CrushReel, offering a captivating escape into a world where love conquers all.