The Surrogate He Discarded

Hidden behind her oversized sunglasses, Charlotte let her gaze travel slowly over Claire from head to toe.

Years had passed since they last stood face to face. Time, however, had been far kinder to Charlotte.

Or so she convinced herself.

Claire’s youthful charm had settled into quiet sophistication. She wore little jewelry, her makeup was understated, and her tailored suit spoke of effortless class rather than extravagance.

Charlotte, on the other hand, was wrapped in designer labels from head to toe. Her heels alone cost more than most people’s monthly salary. Every detail of her appearance screamed wealth, status, and privilege.

I’ve won, Charlotte told herself.

What did Claire have that she didn’t?

Charlotte possessed beauty that turned heads the moment she entered a room. She moved among the elite, attended exclusive galas, and enjoyed a lifestyle most women could only dream about.

More importantly, she was Kristoff’s fiancée.

That title alone opened doors that remained closed to others. It came with prestige, influence, and a place beside one of the most powerful and desirable men in the country.

Kristoff had always been generous with her. Her walk-in closet was filled with designer gowns, luxury handbags, and custom jewelry worth small fortunes. She could wear a different dress every day for months without repeating a single outfit.

Claire, no matter how elegant she looked, could never compete with that.

At least, that was what Charlotte desperately wanted to believe.

The thought dulled the humiliation Isobel had inflicted only moments ago, restoring a sliver of her bruised pride.

”Charlotte.”

Claire smiled warmly, though there was something unmistakably amused beneath her calm expression.

”What an unexpected coincidence.”

The hint of sarcasm in her voice was almost imperceptible.

But Charlotte caught it instantly.

Her fingers curled into tight fists beneath her sleeves, but her smile remained flawless.

”I heard you singing earlier,” Claire continued. ”You still have a beautiful voice.”

For a brief moment, Charlotte’s shoulders relaxed.

Then Claire added with an innocent tilt of her head, ”It was going wonderfully... until you invited Isobel onto the stage.”

The words landed like a dagger wrapped in silk. Claire seemed to be rubbing salt to her injuries.

”I have to admit,” Claire said with a faint chuckle, ”that wasn’t the ending I expected.”

Charlotte’s smile stiffened.

”I remember you from college. You were always three steps ahead, always plotting your next move.” Claire’s eyes sparkled with quiet amusement. ”Which is why I’m surprised. ”

She leaned in just enough for only Charlotte to hear.

”You’ve always been the one setting traps. What happened to the cunning class muse?”

A tiny pause.

”So... why did you walk into your own today?”

Charlotte’s fingernails dug painfully into her palms.

Heat rushed to her face.

”I didn’t know she could sing,” she replied through gritted teeth, her voice barely above a whisper. ”And had a beautiful voice.”

If I had known... I would never have handed Isobel the spotlight.

Claire studied her for a long moment.

She saw the resentment simmering beneath Charlotte’s polished exterior. She saw the envy, the wounded pride. And most importantly... she saw an opportunity.

”There is a quiet coffee lounge in the main lobby,” Claire said casually, as though proposing nothing more than an afternoon chat. ”Would you care to join me for a cup of coffee?”

Charlotte narrowed her eyes.

People didn’t invite old rivals for coffee after years apart.

Not without a reason.

And judging by the knowing smile tugging at Claire’s lips...

Whatever Claire had in mind, it involved Isobel.

”Why not? I need a shot of caffeine.” She replied casually, before leading the way.

Claire rolled her eyes as she followed.

...

After wrapping up a brief discussion with Morgan regarding the latest developments on the theme park project, Kristoff excused himself as Morgan turned his attention to another CEO.

Kristoff remained standing for a moment, absently scanning the summit hall.

Just then, he caught sight of Charlotte leaving through the main entrance.

His brows drew together.

Why did she come down andwhy is she leaving?

Under normal circumstances, he would have followed her without a second thought.

This time, however, his feet carried him elsewhere.

Almost as if guided by instinct, he found himself walking toward the busiest exhibition booth in the hall.

The Aioryx booth.

He stopped several steps away, blending into the crowd where he remained outside Isobel’s line of sight.

She was completely absorbed in answering questions from a growing audience.

One executive asked about cybersecurity.

Another questioned the scalability of KitKat.

A venture capitalist challenged her on market adoption.

Without notes or hesitation, Isobel answered each question with remarkable clarity and confidence. She explained highly technical concepts in a way that even non-engineers in the crowd could understand. Whenever she finished, heads nodded in agreement, and another hand immediately shot into the air.

The audience wasn’t merely listening. They were captivated.

Kristoff folded his arms, watching in silence.

For the first time, he realized he had underestimated her.

She wasn’t simply intelligent.

She possessed the rare ability to command a room filled with some of the brightest minds in the industry—and she did it with grace, humility, and unwavering confidence.

A flicker of regret settled in his chest.

He remembered the day Isobel had timidly asked if she could work at Dalton Technologies. Without giving her a fair chance, he had dismissed the idea almost immediately.

Back then, he had assumed she lacked the experience and he did not want to continue to be entangled with her.

Now, watching her effortlessly field question after question from industry leaders, he couldn’t help but wonder how badly he had misjudged her.

Perhaps... I was wrong.

Just then, someone beside him spoke.

”Mr. Dalton.”

The greeting was respectful, but loud enough to draw attention.

”Were you listening to Miss Lancey as well?”

Conversations around the booth abruptly ceased. Dozens of heads turned toward Kristoff.

Even Isobel paused midsentence. She looked up.

Their eyes met across the crowd. For a brief moment, the bustling exhibition hall seemed to fade into the background.

Neither of them spoke.

Then Kristoff gave her a small, almost imperceptible nod.

”Please,” he said calmly, gesturing toward the audience. ”Carry on.”

His voice was steady, yet there was unmistakable admiration in his eyes.

And for the first time in a very long while...

Kristoff Dalton found himself looking at Isobel not as an inexperienced and helpless fresh graduate he met a year ago, nor as the woman he had overlooked—

...but as someone worthy of his respect.