No Divorce? The Billionaire's Love Chase! novel Chapter 468

Although Shelly hadn’t said anything threatening to her face, Claudia trusted her instincts. This woman was bad news.

She mentally ticked off her enemies: the two old Fergusons, the Windsor mother-daughter duo, Celia, the illegitimate Shaw, and now Shelly Quinn, flanked by Ann's brother and sister-in-law. The root of all their hostility was York’s refusal to let her go.

Her mind preoccupied, Claudia didn't notice Shelly and Celia were also in the restroom until she reached the sinks. Her eyes once again fell on Shelly's pregnant belly. She silently retracted the hand she'd been about to wash, deciding to leave instead.

Seeing Claudia about to bolt, Celia “accidentally” smudged her lipstick across Claudia’s white evening gown.

Before Claudia could react, Celia cried out with a theatrical apology. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Dr. Watkins! I didn’t mean to! How much was the dress? I’ll pay for it in full. Please don’t be angry.”

Claudia looked down at the deliberate red smear on her dress, then glanced around at the small crowd of onlookers that had gathered. Two were Celia's friends, then there were Ann's relatives, and a few others she didn't recognize.

Her guard went up, and she instinctively backed away, putting distance between herself, Celia, and Shelly.

Shelly rushed forward, pulling out a tissue. “Dr. Watkins, let me help you clean that up.”

Claudia retreated again. “No thank you, Mrs. Quinn. It's lipstick. A tissue won’t get it out.”

Shelly seized the opportunity to grab Claudia’s arm. “Dr. Watkins and Miss Hawk are both honored guests of the Quinn family. Since Miss Hawk has offered to pay for the gown, allow me to take you to change into something clean.”

Ann's brother and sister-in-law crowded around Shelly, adding to the accusations. “Claudia! You knew my aunt was carrying the Quinn family’s only grandson, and you still maliciously pushed her! Our James family might be small, but you can’t just trample all over the Quinn family too!”

With Celia and Ann’s relatives fanning the flames, the onlookers unanimously turned on Claudia.

Shelly suddenly cried out in pain, and a servant, terrified, ran downstairs to get help. The crowd blocked Claudia, preventing her from leaving and demanding to see the security footage.

Claudia stood in the center of the circle, her face a blank mask as she stared at Shelly. It was a perfectly laid trap. Celia had deliberately stained her dress, Shelly had made a “kind” offer to help, then had gripped her arm hard enough to elicit a reflexive action. Shelly had used that to stage her fall. Everyone here had just become Shelly's witness. Even if they checked the security footage, it would only confirm that Claudia had, in fact, pushed her. They had dug a pit for her, and she had no way to explain her way out.