Return it with interest

"If you want to work with me, you'll have to give me 50% of the company's shares." Claire wasted no time. She made her terms clear the moment she sat down.

Gilbert's cold eyes narrowed. "And what makes you think you deserve that?"

"My capabilities," Claire replied with a faint smile. "I'm the only one who has the original formula for Zanna Perfume. And I also happen to be a top international expert in perfumery. Innovation is my specialty. I believe you've already done your market research, Mr. Watson. The reason Zanna Perfume has fallen from grace is simple, no authentic formula and no innovation. Customers can't find the familiar scent they remember, and it no longer satisfies their emotional needs. If they can't get what they want, they simply walk away."

Gilbert's eyes flickered with a trace of interest.

Indeed, it was precisely because of thorough market research that he had decided to invest heavily in hiring an international expert.

Everything Claire said hit the nail on the head.

"If you're not willing to meet my terms, there's no need to continue this conversation," Claire said curtly, clearly running out of patience. She stood up. "But let me warn you, Mr. Watson, I will start my own brand. If that happens, who knows what will become of Zanna Perfume? You may have deep pockets, but if you can't even save your own wife's company, the humiliation won't be easy to wash off."

With that, she exposed his Achilles' heel and turned to leave.

Gilbert was a man who cared deeply about his pride. Emma was his wife. If Zanna went under, he'd be a laughingstock.

"Fine. I agree." As expected, just as Claire was about to reach the door, Gilbert's deep, magnetic voice cut through the air.

Claire exhaled silently, her eyes gleaming with a cold light.

Taking back Zanna's shares was only the beginning. Her real purpose was to uncover the truth behind her mother's death. If she left now, she'd have no way to investigate.

They could hurt her but harming her mother? That would never be forgiven.

"I don't agree!" Just as Claire and Gilbert finalized the agreement and signed the papers, the sharp clack of high heels rang out from the hallway. Moments later, Emma burst in, her expression twisted in fury.

She'd been woken up by an enraged phone call from Kelly, who told her that Claire had returned—with two illegitimate children in tow.

Kelly and Emma were old schoolmates and close friends. Kelly had always dreamed of marrying into a wealthy family but ended up with an old man, Claire's second uncle, Jeffrey Miller, content to wait for an inheritance and keep a young lover on the side.

Emma, on the other hand, had always wanted to become Mrs. Watson. Just now, she had received a tip-off from a loyal employee and rushed to the office.

Inside the CEO's office, Claire looked up slightly, her gaze calm and detached.

Emma's once-beautiful face was now contorted with rage, her eyes gleaming with venomous hatred.

But then she caught sight of Gilbert, sitting on the sofa like a god of judgment, stern, cold, and commanding. At once, she wilted like a scolded child, lowering her head and adopting a pitiful, tearful expression.

"Gilbert, Zanna was a gift from my father. You can't just hand over the shares to someone else," she said as she walked to his side, clutching his arm and pretending to sob.

Gilbert glanced at Claire, then gently stroked Emma's face with his slender fingers. His voice turned soft. "Don't worry. You'll still be listed as a board member. But since managing a company isn't your strength, it's better if you just stay home and enjoy being Mrs. Watson."

Mrs. Watson?

Emma froze for a second. Then realization dawned, and a radiant joy spread across her heavily made-up face.

Was Gilbert finally going to marry her?

Finally. She had waited so long for this moment.

Her eyes sparkled with barely contained excitement.

Claire sat up straight, her teeth clenched tightly.

Stay calm. Stay composed.

Those shameless scumbags were flaunting their love right in front of her again.

Six years ago, Gilbert's cruelty, heartlessness, and utter betrayal were burned into her memory and at this very moment, it all came flooding back. The image of that vicious woman pushing her into the sea exploded like a bomb in her mind.

Her fists clenched, veins bulging on the back of her hand.

Suddenly, the shrill ring of a phone cut through the tension.

Gilbert glanced down at his screen, his expression darkening. Without a word, he stood up and strode out of the room.

"Claire, you bitch, what exactly do you want?" The moment Gilbert was out the door, Emma's face twisted with fury. She sprang to her feet, eyes blazing. "Let me warn you, don't you dare try anything. I will never give you a single share of Gucci Perfume."

She raised her hand and slapped Claire across the face.

Caught off guard, Claire staggered back. Her face burned with pain, her emotions teetering on the edge of collapse.

But in the next second, her eyes flashed with rage. She shot to her feet, grabbed Emma by the hair, and slammed her palm across Emma's face.

"Ah!" Emma shrieked, stars bursting before her eyes. She dropped to her knees, her cheek swelling with five angry red fingerprints.

In the hallway.

"What did you just say? Linda and Dean are fighting again?" Gilbert's face darkened.

Last night, when he returned to the study, Linda had already fallen asleep on the sofa, so he didn't scold her.

But now she was bullying Dean again?

"Separate them first. Emma and I will be right back." Gilbert gave the order and hung up. Just as he set the phone down, a scream echoed from the CEO's office. His expression tightened, and he quickly rushed back in.

Inside the CEO's office,Emma gasping for breath, was far from done. She had never been slapped like that in her life. Furious, she lunged at Claire with wild, vicious energy.

Claire sneered coldly, sidestepped nimbly, grabbed Emma's arm, and raised her hand for another heavy slap.

But before her hand could land, a strong hand clamped down on her wrist.

"How dare you? You dare hit my woman?" Gilbert's furious voice exploded.

This woman must be insane. How dare she raise her hand in front of him against his woman?

Claire met Gilbert's icy gaze. His eyes were like bloodied blades, so cold and sharp they made her flinch. That familiar feeling of fear and helplessness she used to have in front of him threatened to return.

But then she straightened her back and curled her lips into a cold, merciless smile.

This man was blind.

Emma had clearly struck first. She was simply defending herself.

But she didn't bother explaining. If Gilbert didn't believe her six years ago, why would he now?

"Mr. Watson, let go of me and control your woman. If she dares lay a finger on me again, I'll hit her every single time," Claire said icily.

Gilbert's face turned stone-cold. But his thoughts were still on Linda and Dean. He didn't have time to argue. He released her with a sharp shove and barked:

"Claire, I'm warning you, stay in line. If you pull any more stunts, I'll make sure you won't last a day in Heidelberg."

With that, he gently took Emma's hand and led her out.

Emma's heart surged with triumph. She cast a hateful glare at Claire, then leaned sweetly against Gilbert's side, clinging to his arm like a delicate, tearful bird. The two of them walked out as if nothing could come between them.

Claire trembled as she watched their loving silhouettes fade away.

Ugh. Disgusting scumbags!

But just wait, this is only the beginning.

Every ounce of suffering she and her mother endured. She would return it, with interest.