No Divorce? The Billionaire's Love Chase! novel Chapter 473

"Why are you still up so late?"

The call connected, and Hugh's voice, warm and steady with an undercurrent of concern, filled the room.

Claudia's own voice softened unconsciously. "Mr. Ferguson, how much was that gown you gave me last week?"

There was a slight pause on the other end.

"It wasn't much," Hugh said. "What matters is that it suits you."

Claudia answered honestly, "I came to a dinner at the Quinn estate with Gideon tonight, and the dress was ruined. The person responsible wants to pay for it at its original price."

The dress had been a gift from Hugh to thank her for helping take care of his son recently. He had insisted on giving it to her. She knew it must have been expensive, but Hugh had refused to tell her the price, so she hadn't been able to pay him for it.

After another few seconds of silence, Hugh's voice came through again. "Are you in trouble? Do you need me to come pick you up?"

The concern and special treatment Hugh showed Claudia were so obvious that everyone heard it clearly. Celia and Sherlyn exchanged glances, their faces turning impossibly grim. While Hugh wasn't part of the eight prominent families and rarely associated with them, none of them dared to offend him.

York stared intently at Claudia, the veins on the back of his clenched fists bulging from the effort of restraining himself. She was always so cold to him, with or without an audience, yet she spoke to Hugh with such gentleness.

Peter watched York's reaction with a worried frown.

President Quinn wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. He had initially thought Claudia was just a cast-off wife from a wealthy family, close to Mr. Gideon only for professional reasons, which was why he had indulged Sherlyn. He never imagined that Gideon and Mr. Peter would defend her so fiercely, that even York would be so protective. And now, the elusive Hugh Ferguson was offering to personally drive over and pick her up. He had gravely underestimated this woman.

Peter cleaned his ear nonchalantly. "That gown was custom-made for Dr. Watkins by my sister-in-law, personally commissioned by Mr. Ferguson. The diamonds on the belt alone are worth over ten million. Mrs. Quinn, you may not recognize quality, but you cannot question my sister-in-law's work."

A wave of gasps and whispers swept through the crowd. Sherlyn's legs went weak, and she nearly collapsed.

Before Peter had even finished, President Quinn walked up to Claudia and immediately transferred thirty million to her, handing over the two hundred thousand in cash as well.

Without a second thought, Claudia stuffed the cash into her purse. "You all carry on. I'm leaving."

With the money secured, Claudia gave Gideon a look, and the two of them turned and headed downstairs.

Peter, seeing York's condition worsening, urged him in a low voice, "It's too dangerous for you to stay here like this. Let me take you to the hospital for a check-up."