Chapter 107: Husband, Let’s Go

Chapter 107: Chapter 107: Husband, Let’s Go

Miles Warren’s hand on her slender waist stilled. His voice was a low whisper.

"Not feeling well? I’ll take you back."

Claire Kendall held his hand and shook her head, her tone light. "I’m fine. I was just startled by the accident. It’s not serious."

She curved her lips into a small smile and looped her arm through Miles Warren’s, leaning against him. "Let’s go meet your relatives."

The two of them turned to the nearest elder.

Claire Kendall forced a smile, her voice gentle. "You must be his great-aunt, right? Miles often talks about you. He said you doted on him the most when he was little."

"I have a small gift for you. I embroidered it myself."

Wendy White took a gift box from a bag and handed it to Claire Kendall.

"It’s a cashmere shawl with traditional embroidery. This heather color will look wonderful on you."

The woman took it, her fingers brushing across the fabric as her eyes lit up. "What soft material! And such fine stitching. You’re a good child. How very thoughtful of you."

Claire Kendall then took a brocade box and turned to the aunt standing next to her.

He didn’t recognize many of the clan’s relatives, but Claire Kendall was able to address each one by name and give them a carefully chosen gift.

Miles Warren took the bag from Wendy White and followed quietly behind Claire, watching her weave effortlessly through the crowd of strangers, his lips pressed into a thin line.

After she had made her rounds, the family members were all thoroughly impressed with Claire Kendall. They showered Louis Warren with thanks and sang her praises.

Louis Warren was beaming. "You’re all too kind. The gifts are from the children, so please, accept them."

Yvonne Warren’s hands clenched into fists, her voice rising in anger.

"Have you all been bought off with a few trinkets?"

"Have you all forgotten the disgraceful scene she caused at the anniversary gala?"

With gifts in hand, the relatives’ faces instantly turned awkward.

Claire Kendall gave Yvonne Warren a placid glance and spoke with grace and composure.

"These small gifts are nothing more than a token of respect from a junior meeting her elders for the first time."

"The Warren Family is vast and influential. Our elders have seen every treasure imaginable. By accepting my gifts, you are giving face to Miles and me. It has nothing to do with being ’bought off’."

Hearing Claire Kendall’s words, the relatives’ expressions softened.

The Warren family’s great-aunt spoke first. "What happened at the anniversary gala was nothing. It’s normal to make a few mistakes when you’re young."

"Exactly. It didn’t affect the Warren family’s reputation. The most important thing is that these two are happy together."

"Claire is beautiful and considerate. Who knows what the real story is, anyway!"

"You all..." Yvonne Warren seethed. "How dare you side with an outsider? I’m a Warren!"

Miles Warren’s gaze turned frigid. "Claire and I are legally married. That makes her a Warren."

His voice was low, but it carried an intense pressure and a clear warning.

Claire Kendall tugged on his sleeve. "Honey, don’t be angry. Yvonne is young and doesn’t know any better. Isn’t her father the one who’s always talking about family rules? Let him handle it."

With just a few words, Claire Kendall had put Victor Warren’s feet to the fire.

"You—you damn brat!" Victor Warren shot to his feet. He glared viciously at Claire Kendall as he cursed, then spun around and slapped Yvonne Warren across the face.

Yvonne Warren clutched her stinging cheek. "Dad, you..."

"Is this how I taught you to behave? To speak so recklessly? Get out and go kneel in the ancestral hall!"

In all his years weathering the storms of the business world and the Warren family’s internal politics, Victor Warren had never suffered such a humiliation.

He concealed the malice in his eyes and looked at Claire Kendall, speaking with false sincerity. "My apologies, sister-in-law."

Claire Kendall’s lips curved into a tight smile. "Victor, please. We’re all family here."

"Enough, enough! What is all this shouting? Sit down," Louis Warren commanded.

Claire Kendall sat beside Miles Warren, a composed smile fixed on her face, betraying nothing amiss.

Beneath the table, she stealthily stretched out her injured left leg, trying to ease the dull ache from her wound.

Miles Warren casually picked up a piece of sweet and sour spare rib and placed it on her plate.

Then he took a shrimp, meticulously peeled it, and placed it in her bowl, whispering like he was coaxing a child.

"Eat this. And no more drinking. You know you have a bad reaction to it."

Across the table, a distant great-aunt and an aunt exchanged glances.

"I’ve been in the Warren family for almost thirty years, and this is the first time I’ve ever seen Miles dote on someone like that."

"That Claire is the apple of his eye. The position of Warren family matriarch will be hers for sure."

Watching the couple’s obvious affection for each other, Louis Warren nodded again and again, deeply gratified.

"On this happy occasion, I have an announcement to make."

He looked at his youngest son with grave formality.

"Miles, now that you’re married and settled down, it’s time to quit your job at the hospital. Come back to the company. With your talent, the Warren Group is sure to reach even greater heights."

All eyes turned to Miles Warren.

Were Louis Warren’s words a sign he intended to step down?

Miles Warren lowered his gaze and said nothing, a flicker of casual annoyance crossing his features.

He had always known that Louis Warren’s affection wasn’t so pure. More than a son, his father needed an heir for the Warren family.

But he didn’t want to embarrass his father in front of so many people.

"Miles, what are you hesitating for?" Louis Warren was clearly displeased, his brow deeply furrowed.

A low murmur spread through the room, and the atmosphere in the living room suddenly grew tense.

"Father."

The single word was spoken with utmost respect. Claire Kendall lifted her gaze to meet the predatory, wolf-like eyes of Louis Warren, who sat opposite her. A faint smile touched her lips.

"Miles and I are trying for a baby, so he needs to maintain a regular schedule and get plenty of rest. He can’t take over the company right now."

Miles Warren turned his head to stare at her, momentarily stunned.

Louis Warren’s face fell. "I’m only asking him to quit his hospital job and join the company. It won’t be that busy at first. He can start by familiarizing himself with the business operations..."

Claire Kendall was unbowed by Louis Warren’s imposing presence, her smile unwavering.

"Father, trying for a baby is a serious matter."

"Would you prefer a boy or a girl? If it’s a boy, he’ll be a playmate for Bobby."

She had deftly deflected a heavy blow, steering the conversation away from the public pressure on Miles Warren to quit his job.

Louis Warren was left speechless. Finding no way to steer the topic back, he had no choice but to drop the matter for now.

Nearby, the look in Victor Warren’s eyes grew even more sinister.

The banquet concluded, and the guests began to depart.

Louis Warren’s expression was grim. "You two. My study. Now!"

The atmosphere in the study was tense.

Louis Warren stared hard at Claire Kendall, his voice cold and unyielding.

"Claire, you said all that on purpose, didn’t you."

Claire Kendall stood with her back ramrod straight, forcing down the pain. Her lips were pale. "Father, I don’t understand what you mean."

"You don’t understand?" Louis Warren struggled to contain his fury. "I gathered the entire Warren family here today for the sole purpose of announcing that Miles would be taking over the Warren Group. And you, with just a few words, ruined everything."

His voice was laced with unprecedented disappointment.

"Claire, I can tolerate any other mistake you might make. But this, I cannot accept!"

Miles Warren’s gaze was glacial. He was about to speak up in defiance, but Claire Kendall beat him to it.

Her voice was faint, but every word was crystal clear.

"You want him to take over the Warren Group. Have you ever asked for his opinion on the matter?"

"This is the Warren Group! The number one conglomerate in Aethel! I’m giving it to him. What reason could he possibly have to refuse?"

Claire Kendall’s words grew sharper.

"You act as if you’re favoring him, but you’ve never once considered what he wants."

"He loves being a doctor. He wants to heal the sick and save lives. He doesn’t want to be trapped in the cutthroat world of business. By forcing him to take over, what do you accomplish, other than fueling the conflict between the brothers?"

"Miles Warren!" Louis Warren trembled with rage. "For all these years, I have let you have your way in everything! Just think, if the Warren family hadn’t raised you, where would you be today?!"

Miles Warren stood his ground, his expression unreadable.

Claire Kendall squeezed Miles Warren’s hand, her voice firm and resolute.

"Then from this day forward, he doesn’t need the Warren family’s support. I’ll support him!"

Without a glance at Louis Warren’s livid face, she turned to leave. "Honey, we’re leaving!"

From behind them came the sound of Louis Warren furiously smashing something.

"This is rebellion! Utter rebellion!"

"Claire Kendall, if I had known you had no intention of convincing him to come back to the company, I never would have allowed you to marry into this family!"

Miles Warren let her pull him along, but then he tightened his grip, their fingers intertwining.

They stormed out of the study. It wasn’t until they reached a corner in the long hallway that Claire Kendall let go of his hand.

She staggered, her body swaying before she collapsed.