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"May we please go upstairs? This conversation is upsetting me If you want to maintain this charade, we’d better leave while I can ht, Tony stood and offered Claire his hand "Ms Nichols, shall we bid our adieus to the appropriate people?"

"Yes, Mr Rawlings I’m so ready to close the curtain on this performance"

As she stood, he whispered, "The press release is viral This, my love, was only the first act"

When they finally reached the golden elevator, Tony removed his phone and sent Eric a text

"WE HAVE LEFT THE GALA ALLOW SOPHIA TO RETURN"

Claire broke the silence as they exited the elevator to the penthouse "May I have my phone?"

Tony looked at his watch, 10:17 PM "My dear, the night is still young" When she didn’t respond, Tony removed her cell phone froht take the phone and walk away; he’d always listened to her calls Once she turned it on, the ses No doubt the world outside their bubble had seen the news release Instead of checking her es, Claire called for the SiJo car He faintly heard the driver through her phone

"Hello, Marcus, yes, this is Claire Nichols--"

Tony changed hisher phone from her hand, he stilled her words and interrupted her conversation "Hello, Marcus Ms Nichols will not need your assistance this evening"

"Umm, excuse s"

"Oh, okay? Oh! Mr Rawlings"

"That is correct"

"So, Ms Nichols is done with the car for tonight?"

"Yes, you are relieved of your assignood-night" Glancing at the nuain turned off her phone and returned it to his pocket

He watched as Claire walked to a sofa and sat Mo around her like a cloud Tears coated her cheeks as her emerald eyes met his Tony didn’t want this He didn’t want to see her defeated It was that the evening had been re her next to hi

Then it happened, right before his eyes Claire shifted, sat taller, and asked, "What do I need to do to leave?"

Relieved by her forwardness, he sat beside her and softened his voice, "Eric will take you home whenever you want You may leave at any time"

"Then I want to leave now"