After a quick introduction, Claire walked away towards the ladies' room leaving Gabriel, Mark and Eva in the main ballroom.
As she came out, she noticed a man with a cigarette in the hallway. It was quiet and empty, and they were alone.
"I was wondering about you, Miss Thompson." Man's voice sounded across. It was arrogant and condescending. "I was surprised that you were still standing. Honestly, I didn't think you'd be such a coward as to hide behind my son." He sneered. Claire looked at him, emotionless on the outside even if her heart stopped. "I was stupid to let you go on for this long. And you were stupid to push even though I've warned you. Within days you'll be destroyed and dead. There's going to be nothing of you. No one is going to care for a Thompson girl. No one is going to mourn you."
"And you have to announce it?" Claire asked with a scoff. "If you think your words have any effect on me, you're wrong. You just talk and do nothing. It's empty threats, that's all." Claire said and she walked past him towards the ballroom. Gabriel quickly noticed her across the room and smiled at her, but his smile vanished as he noticed his father walk behind her. Michael leaned in from behind and whispered in Claire's ear. The strong stench of cigarettes filled her nostrils making her feel nauseous.
"It's a promise, Miss Thompson. You'll be dead within two weeks." His breath landed coldly on Claire's ear before he walked away into the crowd. Claire fixed her eyes on Gabriel with the hope that he didn't notice it, and that he wasn't going to ask questions. But his eyes were on her. He saw it. He knew.
Claire quickly tried to distract herself and she started to speak kindly to everyone she could but whispers carried through the room. The news of a suspected affair between her and Gabriel was still very vivid and very much so a centre of many conversations.
Claire somehow ended up in the circle beside Gabriel and Eva, still very tense and increasingly quiet.
Someone from Gabriel's circle called out to his father. Gabriel scowled at Michael Moore who approached the circle with a wide smile.
"A family reunion! It's such a great thing to see children succeed like their father." Someone laughed. Gabriel bit his tongue at a comment as Eva watched him with worry.
"It is indeed. There's nothing a father wouldn't do for two kids which are his very pride." Michael answered as he clinked his champagne glass with the other older man. "Gabriel has been working hard to build his own company for years now. Good thing he inherited the business gene, isn't it?"
"That and all of the trauma." Gabriel smiled. "Always good to inherit things like this as a whole package deal."
"Gabriel…" Eva said quietly, wary of his anger.
"Why don't you come over the weekend?" Michael turned to his son.
"I have a counter-proposal." Gabriel smiled wickedly. "Family counselling! Wednesday afternoon works for me and I know just a place!" He said loudly, making sure that everyone else heard it. Claire looked over trying to work out the commotion. But the crowd started to feel suffocating.
She walked out of the building trying to catch a breath and a moment of peace.
"You bitch!" Francesca came up to her and slapped Claire across her face before she could even react. "You think you can do whatever you want because you work for some fancy company?! You're nothing! NOTHING!"
"I think it would have been more effective if you told me what the issue is rather than hitting me." Claire said coldly as she massaged her now red cheek. "Grown-ups use words."
"Daddy!" Francesca yelled. Only now Claire noticed Mr Jones who marched towards them.
"What happened?" Gabriel's voice snapped Claire back as she watched Mr Jones close the distance between them. Gabriel looked at her and immediately noticed her cheek with a very clear hand imprint.
"I'm calling the police now." Gabriel announced as he took the phone out of his pocket.
"Mr Moore, please don't be unreasonable." Mr Jones said, his vein popping on his head. "Consider the impact the lawsuit has on Daniel. Or, at the very least consider Francesca. How much her image is going to be destroyed if this gets out."
"Did you take into consideration the harm your son has done?" Gabriel asked through his gritted teeth. "Or your daughter?"
"Gabriel…" Claire tugged on his arm, worried that he was losing control.
"Come on, Claire." Eva pulled Claire away. "Gabriel, go get them." She encouraged him.
"You shouldn't push him to act out." Claire said angrily to Eva.
"My dear Claire, it is not unreasonable for him to stand up for someone." Eva said with a reassuring smile. "Besides, they need to learn what it means if they cross our family."
"You dare show your face here after trapping my son?!" Mr Jones yelled towards Claire. "You venomous b*tch."
Gabriel moved forward, whilst Claire freed herself off Eva and grabbed his arm again.
"Gabriel, please." She mumbled to him.
"Expect a defamation and slander lawsuit, Mr Jones." Gabriel said coldly. "Besides, Miss Jones should expect a restraining order any day now as well as assault charges."
"What? You know Daniel well, why would you think he's at fault?" Mr Jones yelled.
"Because he assaulted my wife, Mr Jones." Gabriel said sternly. "I will not allow anyone to harm my family."
"Your-… your…-" Mr Jones stuttered.
"Gabriel…" Claire looked at him worriedly pulling on his suit jacket. "Gabriel, please don't get angry. They're not worth it."
"Claire, no one has a right to upset my sister-in-law. Let Gabriel sort it out." Eva tried again.
"Claire, dear." Gabriel turned towards her placing his hand over hers. "I think it's time I've made some things clear." Claire gave him an unsure nod. "Mr Jones, your son attacked my wife. Your daughter harassed her on more than one occasion now. And now, you're slandering her name and blaming her. I cannot stand by while you think you can get away with it."
"Your wife?" Mr Jones uttered at last.
"Yes, Mrs Claire Moore is my wife, and she has been married to me whilst your son attacked her. He dared to touch my wife. You should be thankful that I'm not pushing for a death sentence. You should be thankful that he wasn't killed there and then."
"Miss Moore…" Mr Jones turned to Eva.
"Don't you dare to look at me. I've heard of everything that you and your family have done to my sister-in-law. I am not going to plead your case. If anything, Gabriel seems to be taking it too easy on you. How could you threaten Claire? How could your son dare to put his hand on her? You're all made of the same stone, aren't you? And Francesca, how dare you harass her and raise your hand at her?!"
"Miss Thompson, it's surely a misunderstanding." Mr Jones turned to Claire.
"A misunderstanding?" Claire asked him back. "Which part?"
"Miss Thompson, surely you didn't…"
"It's Mrs Moore." Gabriel corrected him.
"Mr Jones, I married Gabriel half a year ago. I doubt there's any misunderstanding in that regard. And if you have any doubts, I can provide you with a copy of our marriage contract. Even though, I think of it as highly unnecessary and a waste of time." Claire took a deep breath in. "As per your family, I believe Gabriel is filing a number of lawsuits so I can only wish you the best of luck."
"Is this some kind of a sick joke?!" Francesca shrieked, stomping her feet. Gabriel looked at her in disgust.
"Claire dear, are you okay?" Gabriel turned to Claire moving her hand off her cheek and checking it to see the damage that Francesca did.
"I'm okay but I think I'm going to go home." Claire said quietly. "I don't think I'm in the mood to socialise. At least not anymore."
Claire said honestly.
"Okay. I'll take you home." Gabriel said quickly. "Eva, do you want to stick around with Mark while I get Claire home?" Gabriel turned to his sister. "I'll send Klaus right back."
Eva nodded as Gabriel offered Claire his arm.
"Gabriel, you don't have to go back with me." Claire said with worry.
"You're much better company than all of them put together." Gabriel said with a smile. "Let's go home, take these stiff clothes off and put cosy pyjamas on, and let's watch tv while drinking some fancy wine."
"Are you sure?"
"I am, Claire dear. But if you permit, I'd like to stop on the way. I'd like a doctor to see you first."
"Why?"
"I just want to make sure that you're okay." Gabriel said as he gently touched Claire's sore cheek. She winced at it as her cheek stung.
"Nothing a cold compress wouldn't solve." Claire smiled.
"Honestly? I want a doctor to check you so there's evidence against Francesca and that the restraining order will land in place as soon as. I can't stand it when she's harassing you. I don't think I have any more patience for this and next time I will act and it's going to get ugly."
"I see." Claire looked down as they approached the limousine, unsure how to respond. She sat in complete silence while they drove towards the city. Gabriel held her hand tightly but he didn't speak much either looking at her cautiously, his worry growing.
His father being near Claire was a huge red flag. His father whispering in Claire's ear was even worse of a red flag. Gabriel did not doubt that there was history between them and he hoped that one day Claire will be able to share it with him.