Chapter 19 I froze . There she was . Sitting on the bed , talking quietly with Helena Montgomery . The light hit her face and every nerve in me screamed her name . Claire . I whispered to my sister , choking , " Who is that ? " She smirked . " Helena's daughter ." I shook my head , harsh . " Bullshit . That's Claire ! I'd know her anywhere ." So that day , I hired men to dig . Not just one , but the best . I wanted every file , every whisper , every cover - up . And it came back clear . " She died on paper, not in flesh , " my investigator said , sliding the folder across the table . His voice dropped lower . " Helena Montgomery covered it perfectly . Staged body , fake reports , sealed records . " I leaned back , jaw tight , my hand tapping the table slow . " So she faked her death . " I paused , eyes narrowing . " Not for herself . For survival . To run from that bastard Beckley . " The man nodded . " Exactly , sir ." I laughed under my breath , but it wasn't amusement . It was anger , bitter and sharp. " That fucking Beckley . He chose his cheap mistress over his own wife . Fresca . God , even her name sounds like trash . He broke Claire ... and she had to bury herself alive just to escape him . " I stood up , pacing across the office . My hands clenched into fists . " Tsk . If I'd been there back then , I would've fought for her . Hell , I'd have burned down the whole damn city before I let Beckley win . " Now , in my penthouse , staring out at the city lights , it all comes back . Every piece . Every truth . She never really died . She became Kendall . She ran from him . I whisper to myself , softer now . " Do I protect her secret ? Or do I use it to finally claim her ? " The memory hits me again , how her lips trembled when she called me baby , how her eyes softened when she called me fiancé . My chest tightens . I can't stop the heat crawling up my neck . I actually laughed , like a fool , covering my face with my hand . " God , Claire ," I muttered . " If only you meant it . If only it was real . " I leaned against the glass , watching the skyline . My voice hardened again , low and certain . " This time , Beckley ... she won't run back to you . She'll run to me . " Chants 9:11 Thu , Oct 16 พร 96 The screens in my office glowed like a battlefield . My phone buzzed and I answered sharp . One of my men came through , voice low , urgent . " Sir , Fresca just launched a smear campaign . Multiple accounts , doctored photos , slander . It's everywhere . " Screenshots flashed onto my tablet , and my jaw tightened . Her poison was spreading fast . " Listen to me , " I said , voice flat , cold . " I don't want to see a single one of those posts by morning . Scrub it clean . Burn her narrative before it breathes . Bury her lies so deep the world forgets she opened her mouth ." " Yes , sir , " they said in unison . No hesitation . The call ended . I leaned back , staring at the dark glass walls . These were the same men who built Kendall Scott from dust , weaving a whole past to shield Claire's truth . And Beckley ... that bastard almost cracked it . His men have been circling , sniffing , digging too close these past days . Like wolves smelling blood . Not on my watch . He's never getting near her again . I'd cut him down first . My phone vibrated again . Different name . Helena Montgomery . I answered . " Helena . " Her tone was sharp , almost icy . " We need to meet . In private ." " Where ? " " The Pavilion at Blackridge . " I stilled . That place wasn't for the average rich . It was for the world's untouchables . Royals , tycoons , dynasties . If she called me there , it wasn't social . I rolled out with my convoy . Black SUVS cutting through the night , my men sweeping every inch of the route . By the time I walked into The Pavilion , the air already felt heavier , like even the walls knew secrets . She was waiting in a candlelit lounge . Perfectly put together , but her eyes ... sharp steel . " Protect my daughter ," she said without warming up . I froze for a beat . " You know ? " Her gaze didn't flinch . " I know everything . I know you've got men following her . I know you've been buying silence . And I know ... " she leaned forward , voice low , " you love her ." I let the words sink . My voice dropped to a growl . " Then why now , Helena ? Why tell me Chapter 19 2/3 6 66.7 % 9:11 Thu , Oct 16 this tonight ? " L 96 Her expression shifted , softer for just a breath . " Because I'm giving you my favor . I like you for her . Keep her safe . Beckley won't stop . That man is obsessed . He'll ruin her again . " I leaned closer , fire in my chest . " Then you should've never thrown her under the lights . You should've kept her hidden . " Her chin lifted . " She's not meant to live in a cage forever . She's my daughter . Not Beckley's . Not Fresca's target . She belongs on that stage , shining . And nobody- " her eyes cut through me , " nobody is going to take that from her . " I sat back , exhaling , but my voice stayed firm . " I respect you for that , Helena . And I'll say this once . I will protect Claire . With everything I have ." Her stare softened , just slightly . She nodded . That was enough . I left The Pavilion with my chest burning . Back in the penthouse , I didn't waste a second . I called my lead investigator . " Full blackout protocol , " I ordered . " Fresca , Beckley . I don't care who they know , what they leak , or where they run . Cut them off . Block every channel . If they try to move , break them before they breathe ." " Yes , sir , " he said . I killed the call and stood by the glass , the city spread below me . And for a second , I closed my eyes and saw her smile . Claire . Kendall . Whatever name she wore , it was still her . My first love . The only one . CLAIRE'S POV I walked into the café , heart knocking way too fast in my chest . The place was quiet , sunlight spilling through the glass roof above , warm and soft , but my stomach was tight . I wanted this to feel normal . Just coffee . Just thanks . Nothing else . Then I saw him . Kendrick . Already sitting there , sharp in his suit but smiling like he wasn't trying to impress me at all . Just ... waiting . Like I was worth it . My throat went dry . Why does my heart beat like this ? Chapter 19 3/3 67.9 % 9:12 Thu , Oct 16