Falling into Her Trap: Don't Cross the Line, Mr. President

Chapter 59: Backing

Owen Crawford had never intended to marry her, and he hadn’t made any inquiries, so he didn’t know about Claire Shaw’s connection to The Sutton Family.

Just as he was about to take out the room card from his pants pocket, he heard Stella Sutton’s voice behind him: "Owen."

Stella Sutton took Owen Crawford’s arm, intimately yet generously saying, "Sister, I was just about to contact you, didn’t expect you to be here already."

Owen Crawford mechanically turned his head to look at Stella Sutton, "Sis, sister?"

Stella Sutton gently said, "Claire is my half-sister from a different mother, so I specially invited her here to share our joy. Owen, do you know my sister?"

Owen Crawford felt as though he had fallen into an icehouse; the one he intended to marry was actually her sister. This connection...

Looking at Claire Shaw again, her serene expression was like a harsh slap on Owen Crawford’s face; she hadn’t come to yield to him.

"Yes, I had heard of senior Crawford’s outstanding deeds back in school," Claire Shaw replied blandly.

The noble and gracious her stood in stark contrast to the hypocritical and despicable man.

She spared him face, yet also brushed over their past.

Upon entering the private room, as soon as Claire Shaw appeared at the entrance, the previously chatting Sutton and Crawford families fell silent.

Damian Sutton and his spouse exchanged glances, as if asking each other why she was here?

Luna Sutton spoke up, "Claire Shaw, what status do you have? Do you deserve to be in such a place?"

Stella Sutton quickly held Claire Shaw’s hand, displaying understanding and empathy, "I was the one who asked Claire to come over; after all, we are a family. How could a family banquet not include her?"

Claire Shaw ignored the gazes from others and instead looked at the middle-aged gentleman in a suit who appeared refined and gentlemanly.

That was her father.

Usually, she could only see news about him in financial magazines, and when he looked at her, his eyes were filled with nothing but disdain.

Mrs. Sutton wore an official smile, "She should be here. Stella, you arranged it well. Claire Shaw is not an outsider. Come, sit over here."

The table she pointed to was for peripheral figures, showing no intention of letting Claire Shaw integrate into The Sutton Family.

Claire Shaw gazed distantly at Damian Sutton, that word "dad" was ultimately swallowed back down.

This was the father she longed day and night to see. His eyes held no comfort or appreciation, only indifference.

She should not have come.

Claire Shaw’s status was too awkward; there was no one seated on either side of her.

Someone quietly gossiped, "She’s that illegitimate child of The Sutton Family. Her mother was quite something, having caused quite a stir to force her way into the position back in the day."

"Like mother, like daughter. With such a mother, the daughter won’t be any better. Such thick skin. Is this a place she deserves to be?"

Overhearing the gossip, Stella Sutton was overjoyed inside; her goal had been achieved.

She wanted Owen Crawford to see the most disgraceful side of Claire Shaw!

After all, Owen Crawford couldn’t feel good hearing such rumors about the woman he loved, especially with Luna Sutton beside him incessantly brainwashing him about how outrageous Claire Shaw’s mother was.

Trying to assimilate Owen Crawford, he even agreed with a few sentences.

Right at this moment, a tall and slender figure appeared at the door. Owen Crawford immediately stood up to greet him, a proud look on his face.

"Uncle, why didn’t you tell me in advance that you were coming? I would have come down to greet you."

When Ethan Blackwood appeared, everyone except Claire Shaw stood up in unison to pay attention to him.

Damian Sutton quickly put down his wine glass and, along with his wife, stepped forward to greet him.

"President Blackwood’s presence truly graces us."

"Uncle, please take the seat of honor," Owen Crawford bowed and scraped in front of him like a grandson.

"No need, I’ll just find an empty seat."

Ethan Blackwood suddenly looked at her, and after locking eyes, he pointed to the seat next to Claire Shaw, "There’s an empty seat here, I’ll sit here."

The chair next to Claire Shaw was dragged back, and a tall man sat down beside her, "Ms. Shaw, you’re here too."

All eyes focused on Claire Shaw, even Damian Sutton looked towards the two of them.

Claire Shaw had no choice but to stiffen and look at Ethan Blackwood under everyone’s gaze, "Mason’s father, what a coincidence."

Damian Sutton immediately realized that Claire Shaw was actually Ethan Blackwood’s son’s homeroom teacher.

He sat down next to Claire Shaw, while Owen Crawford took a seat beside Ethan Blackwood’s side. Others followed suit.

Initially, Claire Shaw’s table was quite empty, but it quickly filled with prominent figures.

Ethan Blackwood praised generously, "Ms. Shaw is meticulous and dedicated, my Mason really likes her."

Damian Sutton donned a father’s kind demeanor, "Yes, my Claire has always loved children since she was young; she certainly takes care of them professionally."

It was the first time Claire heard Damian praise her; he’s never appreciated her profession, making the current compliment seem even more insincere.

How could Ethan Blackwood not discern the deliberate flattery, "Ms. Shaw’s excellence isn’t just in childcare, her violin performance received unanimous praise from parents, all hailed her as having a master-level standard."

The word ’master’ provoked Mrs. Sutton, she smiled covering her mouth, "Speaking of violin, our Stella was just accepted as the last disciple of international violinist Rhys. Claire, if you’re interested, maybe Stella could put in a good word for you, see if the master could also take you in?"

Upon hearing those words, an amiable face appeared in Claire’s mind.

Back then, when the passport was hidden, Claire couldn’t go abroad and wept at the airport.

The teacher must have been very disappointed in her, right?

Seeing Claire’s despondent eyes, Stella Sutton assumed she was jealous of her, then grinned and said, "Mom, what are you saying? How could Master Rhys take an amateur as a disciple, wouldn’t that ruin his reputation?"

Mrs. Crawford elegantly stirred the shark fin soup, a mocking smile forming on her lips, "My dear, your heart’s in the right place, but if Rhys truly were to take Miss Shaw in, he’d be laughed at by the world, just like the dishes at our table, either abalone or shark fin; if a plate of stir-fried shredded potatoes were served, wouldn’t it be losing face, becoming a joke?"

Their banter started discussions among those around, simultaneously praising Stella while belittling Claire.

At that moment, a cold voice resonated, "Is this very funny?"

Ethan Blackwood’s gaze directly targeted Mrs. Crawford who instigated the trouble, "I don’t know if Rhys would be ridiculed, but I’ve heard Ms. Shaw’s performance, in my view, her skill is no less than any master’s. So? Are you all questioning my taste or judgment?"

Claire Shaw looked at Ethan Blackwood in shock; when she was isolated by everyone, he stood in front of her, shielding her from the soft, stinging remarks like snowflakes.

His prominent eyebrows and eyes were wrapped in a layer of icy frost, his sharp gaze scanning every person at the table.

The people who were just mocking Claire were now silent, none daring to question.

Damian Sutton’s face turned terribly unpleasant, even the slight familial tie between the Crawford Family and the Blackwood Family was painstakingly managed.

The Crawford Family hadn’t even gotten close enough, finally securing their own event.

Ethan Blackwood clearly brought up this topic; not siding with him but using it to elevate Stella by belittling Claire, isn’t that a slap in Ethan Blackwood’s face?

A bunch of brainless fools!

Ethan Blackwood put down his chopsticks, "I guess I’m not qualified to sit at this table with everyone."

Damian Sutton’s face drastically changed, "President Blackwood, what do you mean by this?"

Ethan Blackwood stood up, fixed his gaze on Mrs. Crawford and said each word clearly, "Personally, I quite enjoy stir-fried shredded potatoes, afraid sitting here would lower your standards, excuse me."

He turned and left, giving Damian no face.

Now all eyes were off Claire Shaw, turning towards Mrs. Crawford.

The arrogance on her face vanished, holding a spoon in bewilderment, "This, I didn’t know President Blackwood liked shredded potatoes."

Those who supported earlier now turned to complaints.

Even Owen Crawford, who kept silent while Claire Shaw was scolded, now criticized, "Mom, can’t you ever hold your tongue? Angering uncle, how will I follow through with the new projects?"

Claire Shaw also got up and left.

This damned place, she will never come back.

Just reaching the corner, an arm wrapped her waist, forcefully pulling her into a hug.

The familiar cedar scent filled her nose, crisp and clean, Claire looked up to meet the man’s frosty face and those deep black eyes.

"Was it intentional?"

Ethan Blackwood’s lips curled up, "I’m protective, can’t stand my people being bullied."

"Who’s your people?" Claire murmured.

Eyes locked, sparks of ambiguity flew in the air.

The next moment, Claire suddenly smiled, radiant in the moment.

"But, I like that."

With that, she clicked her high heels and pushed the man against the cold wall, grabbing Ethan Blackwood’s collar, forcefully and dominantly kissed his lips.