When they got home, Claudia plugged her phone in to charge.
The first thing she did was transfer the full amount for the seafood to York.
York's eyes darkened as he stared at the transaction notification on his phone.
He looked up at Claudia. "Do you really have to draw such a clear line between us?"
Claudia stood her ground. "Even with family, you have to keep accounts clear. My phone was dead, so I had you pay first. It's only right that I pay you back."
York lowered his gaze, hiding the emotion in his eyes. He could feel his heart thumping wildly, erratically.
She had always been so straightforward about asking him for things, never once mentioning 'keeping accounts clear.'
York's mind suddenly felt muddled, and his expression soured.
Claudia ignored his grim face.
"When my parents bought the house, you helped negotiate the price and saved our family a lot of money," she began.
Then, her tone shifted. "But the things your grandfather and father said yesterday were deeply hurtful to me and my family. Out of respect for you, I didn't sue them for slander. So, let's just consider the money you saved us on the house as compensation for my parents' emotional distress."
York stood before her, wanting to step closer but fearing her rejection.
He spoke in the gentlest tone he could manage. "We were getting along so well at the seafood market. Why are you suddenly turning on me?"
Of course, Claudia couldn't tell him her real thoughts.
She softened her voice. "York, I'm not turning on you. The gap between us is just too vast. It's better if we keep some distance."
York stared at her, stunned, then suddenly grabbed her hands.
His expression was more serious than she had ever seen. "Claudia, if I gave up my position as the Ferguson family heir, if I became a regular person just like you, would you be willing to let me back into your life?"
They stood close, looking into each other's eyes.
Claudia tried to pull her hands away, but York's grip tightened.
In her urgency, the words tumbled out. "You know what those two old geezers in your family are like better than I do. If you gave up the Ferguson inheritance because of me, do you really think they would leave me alone?"

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