Chapter 69: The Birthday Wish Is to Take Me

Chapter 69: Chapter 69: The Birthday Wish Is to Take Me

Claire Kendall took it, looking up at the man before her.

Beneath the manila envelope, her fingertips felt something hard.

Miles Warren’s expression was indifferent; he paid no mind to the murmurs around them.

"Go on, Ms. Kendall, open it and see!"

"What kind of treasure could possibly be in a document envelope?"

The reporters’ cameras swarmed in, their lenses nearly touching Claire’s hands.

Her lashes dipping low, she unfolded the flap of the manila envelope and slid out its contents.

It was a bright red booklet, stamped with gilt characters.

A property deed.

Claire’s heart leaped. She flipped it open, and in the space for the property owner’s name, hers was written in bold script.

Property Location: The Keystone Building. Entire building.

Maya Warren leaned over for a peek, then grinned at her little brother.

"Alright, little brother. You’ve finally gotten a clue."

The whispers died down instantly, replaced by a collective gasp.

"The deed to The Keystone Building? In the heart of Aethel’s CBD?"

"Am I seeing things? The entire building?"

"How much is that even worth?!"

The camera flashes erupted in a blinding storm as shutters clicked in a rapid-fire chorus.

Miles Warren remained cool and composed. He drew closer, his voice low and husky. "Congratulations on your grand opening. I wish you great success."

Claire’s fingertips, clutching the deed, trembled slightly.

She remembered that day in the office, when she’d teased him about covering her rent. He had lowered his gaze and coolly said, "I’m not that idle."

’He really doesn’t know how to humor anyone,’ she had grumbled to herself at the time.

And yet.

He’d gone and bought the entire building.

A small smile played on Claire’s lips. She lowered her voice so only the two of them could hear.

"Dr. Warren, didn’t you say—you weren’t that idle?"

He looked away. "Mm. I suppose I was that idle after all."

’This man is hopelessly stubborn.’

Claire didn’t turn him down.

"In that case, I won’t stand on ceremony. Thank you, Dr. Warren. I’ll consider this gift your investment in the company. Once Moonstone turns a profit, you’ll get your share."

Julian Wilde quipped from the sidelines, "Looks like Ms. Kendall is going to be like me from now on—slaving away for an industry outsider."

A string of firecrackers popped, and the ribbon-cutting ceremony officially began.

Claire stood front and center, with Bobby and Maya Warren to her left, and Julian Wilde and a few partner representatives to her right.

"Uncle, come stand here!" Bobby piped up, his voice full of childish authority as he tugged Miles over to Claire’s side.

"Uncle, why are you hiding? You’re supposed to stand with Auntie!"

Miles Warren warned, "Bobby, don’t talk nonsense."

"I’m not talking nonsense!" the little guy insisted. "Mommy said that you and the Fairy Princess are going to be a family, and families are supposed to stand together!"

Maya Warren gave two awkward coughs.

Claire gracefully handed a pair of scissors to Miles, then took his hand in hers.

Instantly, she felt his whole body go rigid.

The red silk ribbon snapped in two.

A roar of applause erupted, and the media’s cameras flashed with renewed vigor.

Customers flooded in, and the shop became a whirlwind of activity. Claire was busy greeting everyone.

Suddenly, a black truck pulled up to the entrance, and several workers began carefully unloading something.

"Another gift delivery?"

"What is that? It’s huge!"

"Looks like a display mannequin."

Claire followed the voices with her gaze. The workers were moving an adult female mannequin enclosed in a glass case.

It was dressed in a flowing, pearlescent-white gown.

She froze.

It was from OCHH’s "Starlight" collection from six years ago—her breakout work, a design that remained unrivaled to this day.

The dress on the mannequin wasn’t a factory-produced piece. It was the original sample she had sewn by hand, stitch by stitch, all those years ago.

She never expected it to have been preserved so perfectly. She’d assumed Lindsay Joyce had destroyed it long ago.

Which meant—this dress was from Lindsay Joyce.

Claire instinctively rushed out of the store, but there was no sign of her.

Others also recognized the legendary creation.

"My god, that’s ’Starlight’ from OCHH, isn’t it? Even after all these years, the cut, the fabric... it’s still incredible!"

"It won over thirty major awards and was a milestone in the history of our country’s fashion. You think that’s just for show?"

"Ms. Joyce is back in the country. Why would she send this?"

"Isn’t it obvious? It’s a power play! Claire Kendall came from Sinclair Group, and OCHH is currently in acquisition talks with them."

The reporters were buzzing with excitement again, aiming their cameras at Claire, eager to see how she would respond to this provocation.

Everyone waited for her to erupt.

Sending a rival brand’s signature piece to Moonstone’s grand opening—it was an incredible provocation.

But to everyone’s surprise, Claire actually had the workers move "Starlight" into the store and place it in the most prominent spot in the window display.

’Starlight’ was the starting point of all her dreams as a designer. For Lindsay Joyce to send it back... the gesture was incredibly significant.

The crowd was flabbergasted.

"Ms. Kendall is certainly a class act."

"Oh, come on. It’s just an act. I bet she’s furious on the inside. Once the ceremony is over, she’ll probably tear that ’Starlight’ dress to shreds."

"And Ms. Joyce... why is she even bothering with an obscure little studio? It’s a waste of the original ’Starlight’ sample."

"Ms. Joyce probably isn’t the one holding a grudge. Sinclair Group is just dead set on targeting Claire Kendall."

Across the street from the shop, a car window slowly rolled down.

Lindsay Joyce sat in the back seat. Her gaunt frame was swallowed by a large trench coat. Her face was pale, but her gaze burned as it fixed on the Moonstone storefront.

’Yes, it’s been six years.’

’For her, OCHH must be ancient history by now.’

’What happened back then... I was the one who wronged her.’

Lindsay Joyce pulled her gaze away, her emotions churning. A violent coughing fit seized her.

She pulled out a tissue and pressed it to her mouth, coughing up a shocking spray of blood.

Her assistant cried out in concern, "Ms. Joyce!"

"I’m fine," Lindsay Joyce’s tone was still firm. "Let’s go."

When the ceremony ended, Bobby clung to Claire, unwilling to let go.

"Fairy Princess, who knows when I’ll get to see you again! You didn’t even get to tell me a story this time."

"Be a good boy, Bobby. If you miss me, you can call me anytime, or come find me at the shop."

He tilted his head and asked earnestly, "Fairy Princess, when are you and Uncle going to get married? If you get married, you can live together. Then when I go to Uncle’s house, I’ll get to see you, too..."

Bobby chattered on endlessly.

Miles Warren simply grabbed him by the collar of his little suit and tossed him into Maya Warren’s car.

"So noisy. Time for you to go to school."

Maya Warren raised an eyebrow, tossed out a quick, "I’ll be waiting for good news!" and drove off.

「After the shop closed, the sky had grown dark.」

Miles Warren and Claire Kendall headed back to Regency Gardens together.

During the drive, Claire sat in the passenger seat, turning her head to study the man’s profile for a long moment.

"Dr. Warren, you gave me such an extravagant opening gift."

"So, let me ask you ahead of time: what kind of gift would *you* like? We’ll see if I can make your wish come true!"

At a red light, Miles glanced at her, a quizzical look in his eyes.

"Why the sudden talk of giving me a gift?"

Claire paused. She couldn’t believe he’d completely forgotten.

"Because of 950728! Your birthday is coming up."

Claire leaned in close.

"Dr. Warren’s birthday wish could be... a kiss from me, a hug from me, or..."

She paused deliberately, the corners of her eyes crinkling with alluring charm.

"...to have me."