Claire tried to pull away, but Julian held her thin wrist very gently.
Tears rolled down her pale cheeks, leaving wet marks on her blue uniform front.
Julian: Do not run away from me again.
Claire: Please, sir, I am just doing my work today.
Julian: Stop calling me sir, Claire.
Victoria marched forward, her heavy diamond necklace sparkling under the bright chandelier lights.
She placed her manicured hand firmly on Julian's arm to pull him away.
Victoria: Who is this cleaning lady?
Victoria: Why are you looking at her like that?
Julian snapped his head around, glaring at Victoria with pure anger in his red eyes.
He yanked his arm back from her sharp red nails without dropping his gaze.
Julian: She is my wife!
The loud statement echoed off the high marble walls of the grand hotel lobby.
Several rich guests stopped chatting and turned their heads in complete shock.
Victoria gasped loudly, taking a step back while clutching her expensive silver purse.
Victoria: Have you lost your mind tonight?
Victoria: Your wife died in a terrible crash five long years ago!
Julian: That was the lie your wealthy father told me to steal my family business!
Claire pulled her hand back gently and looked down at the marble floor quietly.
Claire: They told me you threw me away, Julian.
Claire: They said you signed the annulment papers before I even left the hospital.
Julian felt his heart break completely as he took in her quiet words.
He remembered the fake hospital documents Victoria's powerful father had handed him back then.
They had forged her death certificate to force Julian into a lucrative corporate marriage deal.
He had spent years grieving while Claire was forced into hard labor to survive alone.
Julian: I never signed anything, Claire.
Julian: I looked everywhere for you until they showed me that fake grave stone.
Victoria's face turned completely pale under her heavy makeup as people began to whisper.
She stepped closer to Julian, her voice dropping down into an angry whisper.
Victoria: Do not make a public scene here before our important contract meeting.
Victoria: My father can ruin your company before the sun sets today!
Julian: Let him try to destroy me!
He pulled Claire into a tight, warm hug right in front of everyone present.