He Watched Me Shine Without Him novel Chapter 78

“She must be from the Isolde family—Miss Claire, of course.”

An elegant, fashionable woman arrived at the grand, ornate gates of the Isolde estate, her limited-edition luxury handbag hanging from one arm and her figure graceful as ever.

The maid opened the door with a welcoming smile. “Madam Charlotte, my lady and Miss Claire have been expecting you.”

But today, Charlotte didn’t carry her usual smugness. Her face was grim as she entered the villa.

Madam Isolde stood to greet her, all warmth and good manners. “Charlotte, it’s been days since you last visited.”

Charlotte’s gaze went straight upstairs. “Where’s Claire?”

“That girl’s been focusing on music nonstop—just like you suggested,” Madam Isolde replied. “She says once she marries Houston, she’ll play lullabies to help him sleep.”

Charlotte’s expression flickered between green and pale. She had assumed Claire had secretly gone behind her back and already married Houston.

But Madam Isolde’s words made it clear—they had no idea Houston was married at all.

Charlotte’s voice dropped. “Tell her to stop. It’s pointless now.”

Madam Isolde’s smile faltered. “What do you mean, Charlotte? Something’s happened, hasn’t it?”

Charlotte sat down and sighed. “I liked Claire. I wanted her to marry Houston, too. But Houston’s already married. It happened so fast… none of us had time to stop it.”

The teacup slipped in Madam Isolde’s hand, scalding hot tea spilling onto her pale skin—but she didn’t even flinch.

She stared in shock. “Claire’s loved Houston for years. If that dream is gone… how is she supposed to accept it?”

As they spoke, Claire came down the stairs. Hearing her aunt’s words, she froze like a statue.

Marrying Houston had been her dream from the moment they met. Now, it was gone.

Her face turned deathly pale as she stepped down, her voice weak. “Who did Houston marry?”

Charlotte shook her head bitterly. “If I knew, I wouldn’t be here asking you.”

The very thought of Houston’s mysterious wife left Charlotte fuming. She had planned to place a trusted pawn beside Houston as his wife, someone she could control. But he’d acted entirely out of line.

Now her greatest concern was not knowing which prominent family this unknown woman came from. With Houston’s status, marrying into any prestigious Crestview clan would be effortless—and if that wife’s family backed him, his power would soar beyond anyone’s control.

If that happened, Houston could crush anyone with ease.

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