Chapter 37. I'll Protect You

"I'm not going anywhere, baby, I'll escort you here, hmm," said Joona with strange sentences while smiling sweetly. It was Claire's turn to frown.

"Ah, Mr. Harristian, I think you understand the meaning of privacy, don't you?" Keith teased Joona while smiling sarcastically. Arjoona smiled evenly, slyly at Keith.

"Of course I know, but Claire is under my supervision now, Mr. Barnett. Maybe you forgot, I want to remind you that I am Claire Winthrop's husband now," replied Arjoona with a beaming face and without hesitation at all. Keith sighed and nodded. Arjoona started to annoy him, and Claire still frowned. She didn't understand why Joona even emphasized that he was her husband now.

"It's ok, Papa. Just leave him here. What do you need from me?" asked Claire after turning to Keith. Keith smiled and took Claire's arm.

"Have you read the email from your mommy?" Claire shook her head.

"Then you have to open your inbox first," he added, half pushing Claire to her desk. Arjoona was still watching Keith's suspicious behavior. Claire opened her laptop and checked her email. After reading for a while, she finally spoke.

"Did grandpa allow you to be a company advisor?" asked Claire innocently. Arjoona instantly sighed. He understood now. Keith was here, aiming for Claire's position. He began to interfere with the company by becoming an advisor. Joona nodded and looked away.

"This company belongs to you, dear, so you decide," said Keith to explain. Claire nodded and still looked at the email. Her mother asked Claire to give Keith Barnett a position as an advisor or business consultant to her company.

"I don't think this company needs any advisors or consultants right now. We've done everything fine so far." Arjoona began to intervene by giving his opinion. He glanced at Keith with the corner of his eye.

"Everything is up to you, dear. I only carry out your mommy's request." Arjoona promptly snorted sarcastically at Keith's words, and Keith, who heard, was offended. He turned to Arjoona and tilted his head to look at him with a frown.

"I think this has nothing to do with you, Mr. Harristian. You are just the head of the plant division here," said Keith, getting annoyed even though he was still a little smiling. Arjoona just smiled and folded his arms. Claire, who felt that things she didn't want would happen, quickly stood up and approached her stepfather.

"Ehm, how about this. You just come back first. I'll call you later if there's a final decision about this. I have to discuss it with some managers," said Claire, trying to calm her stepfather.

"Of course, I actually have a lot of work. If not because of your mom's request, I wouldn't come here," Keith tried to emphasize his essential position. Claire felt uncomfortable hearing it. She knew her Papa was sarcastic.

"If you do have a better job, I don't think being a company advisor is the right position for you." Arjoona began flying the war flag with Keith. He started a direct commotion with a British gentleman. Arjoona turned and faced Keith, who was almost the same height as him. Arjoona was a little taller than Keith, and he stared at him without any fear.

"Arjoona Harristian, you better mind your own business." Keith began to get agitated. And Arjoona smiled more sweetly but poisonous. Meanwhile, Claire was trapped in the middle of her stepfather and husband's tall body.

"Why are you even offended, Mr. Barnett? I am part of this company. I'm just giving my honest opinion. I think all managers will think the same as me. We don't need a company advisor, aren't we, Miss CEO?" Arjoona instead threw a question at Claire while giving a code with his eyes. Claire frowned and didn't understand what Joona meant.

"Papa, I'll call you later. We have to have a meeting about this." Keith smiled and raised his eyebrows and nodded.

"Of course, you can ask my help whenever you need it. Papa always loves you, hmm," said Keith neutralizing the situation. He hugged Claire while looking at Arjoona with a murderous look. After loosening his hug, he smiled back at Claire.

"See you, princess." Keith stroked Claire's back before moving out of the room. He still gave Arjoona the same hateful look and looked away afterward. Arjoona, who didn't want to give up, also gave Keith the same look. Exiting Claire's room, Keith clenched his jaw and gripped his fists.

After he came out, Claire glared at Arjoona as she folded her arms to her chest.

"What were you doing just now? He's my Dad." Claire scolded, about to scold Joona's attitude, which was considered rude.

"No, he's just a man who married your mother," said Arjoona casually.

"What do you know!"

"Whatever, but your grandpa already told me how cunning that man really was," Claire grunted even more irritably.

"Listen to me, Claire, you can't take the wrong step. Even the slightly one you might lose everything, including this company or Winthrop Corp. You can't trust Keith Barnett." Claire frowned. Why is Joona now controlling her?

"Keith is the one who took care of me since I was a kid, Arjoona. He is a father I never had." There was sadness and bitterness in Claire's words. That girl is actually very remote in her life. Winthrop's wealth and great heritage did not make her happy.

"Why do you think he took care of you? Unless he wanted to demand something from you," replied Joona in a low tone. He still stared at Claire with a fixed gaze.

"I was asked by your grandfather to protect and ensure that you will obtain the position as the owner of Winthrop Corp. Please don't make my sacrifice vain because of a careless decision you made." Claire lowered her gaze.

"Claire, I know we don't like each other. To be precise, we hate each other, but I will never harm you. I will protect you until it's time for us to divorce." Arjoona still looked at Claire, who raised her eyes to see Joona again. Arjoona seemed to be making a promise to Claire, and Claire nodded slowly. Arjoona nodded too and pursed his lips. He walked backward and was about to leave Claire's room.

"See you at home," he said, then walked towards the door and went out. Claire just watched Arjoona leave the room without saying anything else. She took some breaths before finally returning to her desk.

WINTHROP'S MANSION

What the hell is Arjoona thinking about himself right now. He paced back and forth in the living room, waiting for Claire, who hadn't arrived home yet. It was 9 pm, and she hadn't come to the mansion. Claire should be home by 5, but she has not reached her house until now.

Arjoona even skipped his dinner and kept looking at the wristwatch. He still paced back and forth like a father waiting for his daughter to come home late.

Arjoona took the cell phone and looked again if there was a call for him, but no, Claire never called him even though they had eachother number.

But after not so long, Arjoona's cellphone vibrated. A number he did not recognize called him. He finally picked it up.

"Joona, it is me, Kenanga, Claire's best friend."

"Yes, I know you. What's wrong, Kenanga?"

"I thought you were Claire's husband, but why do you let your wife have dinner with another man?" Arjoona's eyes grew bigger.

"What, what did you say!" said Joona, half yelling.