Chapter 129: Returning Happiness to Her

"Because of you?" Claire Grace froze, her gaze locked on the vase sitting on the coffee table. Her heart skipped a beat.

Blaire Zeller noticed Claire's sudden change of expression, a flicker of satisfaction flashing in her eyes before vanishing.

"My brother may be a master perfumer, but Zeller Fragrances has always primarily focused on cosmetics and beauty products. The reason our company ventured into perfumes at all was because of me. I'm also a perfumer," Blaire began, her tone calm yet sharp. "When I saw an ad for a pan-Asian perfume design competition, I decided to register under the company's name. That's how 'Sweetheart BB' was born—a collaboration between my brother and me. 'Sweetheart BB,' as in *Sweetheart Blaire.* I'm sure I don't need to explain the significance of that name."

Claire swallowed hard, feeling a strange unease creep into her chest. "I know the CEO adores you, but... I don't understand why you're telling me all this."

"Did my brother ever tell you how I got my name?" Blaire asked instead, ignoring the question.

Claire shook her head. Lucas rarely spoke about his family.

"When our parents brought me into the Zeller family, my name was Ashley. I didn't have a last name; at least, none that I knew of. Everyone just called me Ashley. I still remember the way Lucas looked at me the first time he saw me—his eyes filled with pain and sorrow. When he held me, it was as if I were the most precious thing in the world. Then he said, 'From now on, you're not Ashley. You're Blaire Zeller. *Our* Blaire. *My* Blaire.'"

Blaire's voice softened momentarily, the memory briefly dulling her sharp demeanor. "In an instant, I went from being an orphan with nothing to being a treasured part of the Zeller family."

She looked at Claire, her gaze piercing. "I thought you knew Lucas well. I'm surprised you don't know any of this. I guess he doesn't think you're worth sharing it with."

Claire felt a lump form in her throat, struggling to comprehend the direction of the conversation. "But what does this have to do with stopping perfume production?"

"Don't you see? The decision to halt production of 'Sweetheart BB' coincided exactly with the time I left for the United States," Blaire said pointedly.

"What?" Claire blinked, confused.

"It's obvious. Lucas won't admit it, but I know he stopped production because of me. Do you know why?"

"Why?" Claire's voice barely came out as a whisper.

"Because I told him I loved him. And he didn't have the courage to accept it. 'Sweetheart BB' was a testament to his affection for me, so he stopped producing it to sever that tie."

Claire's eyes widened, stunned. *Blaire loved Lucas? How could that be?* They were siblings—how could she feel that way about her brother?

"You don't believe me, do you?" Blaire said, reading Claire's expression. "It's not that strange. We're not related by blood, after all. Is it so shocking that I'd fall for a man as exceptional as Lucas?"

"But... you've always told me that you admired him like a brother, not in a romantic way," Claire stammered, grasping at her memories of Blaire's past remarks. Had she misunderstood everything?

"That was a lie," Blaire replied with a smirk. "I wanted to see if you'd believe me. And clearly, you did."

"Why would you lie to me? Do you still love him?" Claire asked, her voice trembling.

"Of course I do!" Blaire snapped, her tone filled with years of pent-up frustration. "I've loved him for over a decade. And now that I'm back, I plan to take him away from you. Understand?"

The blunt declaration hit Claire like a thunderbolt. She stared at Blaire in disbelief, struggling to process the revelation.

"You have no idea how much I hate you," Blaire suddenly spat, her voice venomous. "You ruined everything. You stole the happiness that was meant for me. Shouldn't I despise you?"

"You... hate me?" Claire whispered, her chest tightening. "Why?"

"Because your presence shattered my plans. You took what was supposed to be mine. Do you think I wouldn't hate you for that?" Blaire's voice rose with fury. "And don't tell me you married him out of love. It wasn't love, was it?"

"I... I didn't know him when we got married. So no, it wasn't love at first," Claire admitted softly.

"Exactly. You married him because of the Zeller family's wealth. You wanted an easy life," Blaire sneered.

"No! That's not true!" Claire protested, her face pale.

"Then was it because you discovered his secret?" Blaire pressed.

"Secret?" Claire blinked in confusion.

"You really don't know, do you? Lucas's supposed health issues—his ED diagnosis—it's all a lie. Do you think I wouldn't find out after you tried to deceive me?" Blaire scoffed.

Claire's breath caught. "That's impossible... Mrs. Zeller and Mr. Zeller—"

"They don't know," Blaire cut her off. "If they knew it was fake, do you think they would've brought you, a small-town woman, into the Zeller family?"

Claire staggered back a step, her face drained of all color. Blaire's words were cutting, her tone filled with malicious triumph.

"Lucas lied about his condition to make me give up on him," Blaire added, her voice quieter but no less bitter. "And now you think you can win his love? Dream on. He married you to hide the truth from me."

Claire's vision blurred with tears. Her heart felt like it was being torn apart. Without another word, she turned and walked toward the door.

"Where are you going?" Blaire's voice was tinged with panic.

Claire stopped and turned, her face wet with tears but her expression eerily calm. "You hate me for stealing your happiness? Fine. I'm giving it back to you. I hope you're happy now."

With that, she grabbed her bag and rushed out, leaving Blaire alone in stunned silence.