Love Against All Odds by Shirley Hugh

Chapter 3 

Claire returned to the hospital in a daze. After greeting Julia, she weakly leaned against the corridor wall, contemplating how to gather the current medical expenses and the hefty cost of the upcoming kidney surgery. 

In fact, there was another option–asking the Barker family for money. After all, the money her father owed her for child support and the money he’d swindled from her mother weren’t small sums. 

However, seeking help from her father also meant dealing with her stepmother Kayla and stepsister Thalia. Just yesterday. they harassed her mother and infuriated her into the intensive care unit. If it weren’t for the urgency of her mother’s condition, Claire would have hated to settle the score with them right now. She really couldn’t bring herself to beg them 

DOW 

Besides, given the shamelessness of those two, even if she knelt and begged them, would it really work? 

“Heh, you shameless thing. I finally see you!” 

Speak of the devil. A sharp, grating female voice came from behind. Claire didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. Anger surged within her, and her hands hanging at her sides clenched into fists. 

Julia, who had been accompanying her, couldn’t stand it anymore. She stood in front of Claire, accusing with righteous indignation. She asked, “How do you have the cheek to stand before Claire? If you hadn’t come over and said those words out of the blue today, Claire’s mom wouldn’t have ended up in the emergency room! Do you have no conscience?” 

“We have no conscience, huh?” Kayla seemed to find it hilarious. “Our Barker family has been generously supporting them for so many years. Now that they’ve gained a little more power they want to turn their back on us. Who’s got no conscience 

here huh? 

Claire looked at Kayla’s alluring yet mean face and closed her eyes, trying to suppress the rising flames within. 

Julia, go help me buy some cereal,” Claire said after taking a deep breath, trying to appear calm. 

Julia understood that Claire wanted to send her away. She didn’t want to leave, but she also knew Claire had her principles, so she reluctantly left, casting a few glances back before disappearing around the corner. 

Only after Julia’s figure vanished did Claire turn to the odious mother daughter duo. In a cold voice, she said, “Whatever you want to do, do it to me. If I find out you ve approached my mom, I’ll make sure you regret it!‘ 

Rarely revealing a stern side, Claire intimidated Kayla and Thalia for a while, and it took them a moment to regain their 

senses. 

Thalia’s pretty eyebrows furrowed a bit as she said, “Claire, I’m telling you don’t try to scare us. You’re just a waste of space clinging to our Barker family. What do you think you can do?” 

“The Barker family has never supported me and my mom for even a day. From my childhood to now, our living expenses were earned by ourselves, What right do you have to talk nonsense here?” Claire retorted. 

She’d never intended to use her blood ties to Byron to take advantage of the Barker family, and if it weren’t for her mother’s insistence, she would have changed her surname long ago. However, Kayla and Thalia seemed to think otherwise. 

Especially recently, Byron, in need of funds, wanted his precious daughter, Thalia, to marry a business partner. 

Kayla had seen the man. He was almost forty, with eyes that lingered suggestively on any woman he laid eyes on. She couldn’t accept her outstanding daughter marrying such a man. Byron had more than one daughter, after all 

Looking at Claire standing before them, Kayla, with a malicious smile, said, “Claire, we’re family. I heard you can’t afford 

mom’s medical bills. You’re your father’s daughter; the blood relation is undeniable. We’re willing to help you out of your difficulties. Her attitude suddenly changed, 

your 

Claire, on guard, responded, “Speak directly.” Her tone was cold and tough. 

Kayla was at a loss for words for a moment, and her face immediately turned dark. However, she suppressed her anger and said slowly, “I came to see you today to discuss your marriage. You’re of marrying age, you know. Your mother’s health is not good, and I’m the only one who can take care of it for you. Your father has a good business partner with a good economic condition, and I suggest you agree to this sooner rather than later and get the marriage finalized. As long as you agree, the Barker family will pay for your mom’s medical expenses.” 

Claire fell silent, staring at the two in front of her until she saw Kayla avoiding eye contact out of guilt. 

Then Claire sneered and sarcastically said, “Do you think I’m stupid? The one who will marry an old man is 

your daughter!” 

Kayla always regarded Claire as a thorn in her side, wanting to get rid of her, so there was no way she could have been so kind as to care about Claire’s marriage. Moreover, as a paparazzo, how could Claire be casily fooled? 

She had long heard about Byron’s recent financial issues with his company and his attempt to form an alliance with Collins Group to draw in investment. 

For Byron, who was driven by profit, marrying into wealth was a huge opportunity, and he could never consider Claire for such matters. 

It must be that Thalia didn’t fancy Ford Collins, so Kayla wanted to use Claire as a scapegoat, 

Exposed by Claire, Kayla immediately became furious and couldn’t be bothered to pretend. “So, are you marrying or not?” she asked coldly. 

“No! Claire said decisively, “Who I marry is my business, and it’s my mom’s concern. You don’t have to worry about that.” 

“Claire, don’t push your luck. You should know what’s good for you!” Kayla said. 

“If you don’t want your daughter to marry, why don’t you do it? Just like how you seduced my dad back then!” Claire didn’t give in at all. 

Thwack! The crisp sound of a slap echoed in the quiet corridor. 

Kayla, enraged, was breathing heavily, and her chest heaved with anger. Seeing this, Thalia rushed to her side and supported her while glaring at Claire with hostility. 

Half of Claire’s face was swollen and numb from the slap her hair disheveled. However, she remained calm, without any signs of fear or weakness. 

“Is there anything else you wanted to see me about? If not, please leave. You should hurry home and prepare your daughter’s engagement gift. With that, Claire revealed a smirk. No matter what, there was no way she would agree to Kayla’s demands today. 

Kayla couldn’t take it anymore. She never thought Claire would dare to speak to her in such a manner. She lifted her hand and was about to give Claire another slap. 

Claire was prepared to dodge, but before she could react, she was suddenly pulled into an embrace. 

The man emanated a refreshing fragrance like the scent after rain. 

Claire raised her head in surprise, and what came into view was Gavin’s well–defined jaw.