Chapter 44 A Warning in the Shadows Sterling lifted Claudia's chin and looked into her eyes . " Forget what others say . Just tell me - did celebrating your birthday make you happy ? " His gaze was steady and warm , like a deep pool that could hold everything . Claudia nodded , a little dazed . Sterling smiled with satisfaction and gently patted her head . " Sterling , " she hesitated , staring at the cake box . " Do you treat all your business partners this well ? " He pinched her cheek with a sly grin . " I don't have that many people I plan to marry ." So it was because she was his fiancée ? Maybe that wasn't such a bad thing . A bond built on duty and benefit could be stronger than one built only on feelings . Claudia lowered her lashes . She leaned into his chest and clung to his warmth . For once , she allowed herself to be weak . Even when he carried her into the bathroom , she was still out of it , clearly overwhelmed by the day . Holding her close , Sterling kept one arm around her waist and ran his other hand through her rain - soaked hair . His voice teased , " What's this ? Want me to help you wash up ? " Claudia pushed him away weakly , saying nothing . Her dark eyes glistened as she stared at him . " Alright , fine . Guess I owe you , " Sterling muttered , squeezing her cheek before turning to leave . But a moment later , he returned with clean clothes . Thanks to the month he spent recovering here , he knew her room like the back of his hand . When Claudia noticed the nightgown he brought - complete with underwear - she finally felt embarrassed . Her face flamed red . " Why would you bring that too ? " Sterling looked away and jabbed , " What , you prefer wearing nothing underneath ? I wouldn't mind . " He said it lightly , but the red at the tips of his ears betrayed him . 1/3 Chapter 44 A waliny in the SWS Claudia jabbed his chest and easily shoved him out of the bathroom . " Out . " Finished The moment he stepped out , his expression hardened . The warmth he showed Claudia vanished , replaced by his usual cold edge . He dialed a number . " Emosa's Project . Is Lancaster Group bidding on it ? " Drop them . Give it to their rivals - Blight Tech . " A chuckle answered on the other end . " What's this ? Did the Lancaster Group tick you off ? That project's everything to them . I heard they're desperate to transform their business . They've been chasing this project for years . " " They can't even manage their household . They're useless . Give them something else to keep them busy . They shouldn't have so much free time . " Free enough to gang up on my woman . The rose he hadn't even touched - others thought they could trample her with storm and rain . This was just a warning . If Claudia wanted to acknowledge them as family , he would hold back . But if she turned them away , he had hundreds of ways to crush them , and they deserved it all . He swallowed down his fury and headed into the kitchen to brew lemon tea . Meanwhile , Jasper still couldn't find Claudia. Her phone went unanswered . Sitting in his car , frustration weighing on him , his screen lit up with Lydia's call . For the first time , he felt annoyed at the sight of her call . He would rather not answer , but the ringing wouldn't stop . At last , he pressed a hand to his forehead and picked up . " Lydia , what is it ? " A woman's panicked sobs came through the line . " Preston , it's thundering . I'm terrified . ) Where are you ? " The moment Jasper heard that name , his body froze . 2/3 Chapter 44 A Waliny in the SS Finished It was like a giant wave crashed over him , filling his nose and lungs until he couldn't breathe . In that instant , he felt the suffocating weight Claudia had carried for more than ten years . A life that was lost pressed down on them all . Lydia's illness had returned . Send Gifts 10 ( Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!