I Married the President

Chapter 410: Chapter 410: Spurning a Toast for a Forfeit

Claire Sinclair was hesitant to refuse, but she didn’t agree right away. ”Director Webb, did you need to see me about something?”

The middle-aged man replied, ”You’ll find out once you go up, Miss Sinclair. This way, please.”

The man’s insistent expression—one that clearly said he wouldn’t leave without her—left Claire Sinclair feeling exasperated.

’In any case, Vincent Webb is Astoria Daily’s main sponsor, so I should probably go see what he wants. Besides, at an event like this, I doubt that old codger would dare try anything.’

Claire Sinclair followed the middle-aged man into a private exhibition area. This section was dedicated to ancient Astorian paintings, with only three on display.

Vincent Webb was standing before one of the ancient paintings. Hearing footsteps, he glanced back, his eyes glinting with an unreadable emotion.

Claire Sinclair stopped at the entrance to the exhibit, not stepping further inside. She feigned nervousness, fiddling with the man’s watch on her wrist—a piece that clashed completely with her cheongsam—and asked in a low voice, ”Director Webb, what did you need to see me about?”

Vincent Webb beckoned to her. ”Come a little closer, Miss Sinclair. I can’t see you clearly from this far away.”

Claire Sinclair hesitated before taking two steps forward. ”Director Webb,” she said, her voice tinged with impatience, ”the banquet has already started. What is it that you want?”

Seeing her reluctance to come any closer, Vincent Webb decided to walk over to her himself. He pulled out a business card and offered it to her. ”Miss Sinclair, this is my card.”

As he spoke, he deliberately flipped the card over, revealing a black card tucked underneath.

Claire Sinclair glanced at the gold business card and the black card in his hand. Her brow furrowed slightly, and she didn’t take them. ”Director Webb, what is the meaning of this?”

A smirk played on Vincent Webb’s lips. ”Miss Sinclair, we’re both adults here. Surely you understand what I’m implying?”

With that, his hand snaked out toward Claire Sinclair’s shoulder.

’So he’s just a dirty old man. Shit!’

Claire Sinclair recoiled instinctively, her expression darkening. ”Director Webb, are you trying to become my sugar daddy?”

Vincent Webb dodged the question. ”This black card has more money than you could spend in a lifetime. As long as you’re with me, buying villas, designer brands, even your own island—it’s all possible.”

Claire Sinclair sneered. ”I’m sorry, but I’m not interested in your money. And I’m not interested in villas, designer brands, or islands either. Please take your cards back, Director Webb, and don’t approach me with this kind of offer again. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee the Mitsuharu Group won’t suddenly find itself dealing with some negative press.”

At her words, Vincent Webb’s expression soured. ”So you’d rather do this the hard way,” he said, his voice low and menacing.

”Heh...” Claire Sinclair gave a dry laugh and turned to leave. ”Director Webb, if that’s all, I’ll be heading back.”

Vincent Webb jutted his chin at two of his men, who immediately moved to block the doorway.

Claire Sinclair was forced to turn back and face the old lecher. ”Director Webb, let me make myself perfectly clear. I’m married. My husband is either Adrian Quincy or Ethan Kingsley. Are you absolutely sure you want to cross them?”

”What did you say?” Vincent Webb stared at her, stunned.

’If any other woman had said that, he would never have believed her. But this was Claire Sinclair—the woman every powerful man in Aridia wanted.’

’To win her over meant gaining control of Astoria Daily, and with it, the entire nation’s public opinion.’

’Once that happened, he could do whatever he wanted. Who would dare to stop him?’

’Public opinion was an invisible weapon, sometimes more potent than the law itself. And besides, had any of the villains who appeared in Claire Sinclair’s articles ever come to a good end?’