Clara’s voice was icy, sharp with intent.
“And Fiona—if you can’t get rid of me, I’ll drag your reputation through the mud.
You owe me that much.”
The words struck deep.
Fiona had never seen Clara like this—ruthless, unyielding, as though she’d burn the world without a second thought.
Even a ghost would hesitate to cross her.
And Fiona?
She was no exception.
Yet suddenly, she let out a soft, cold laugh, her eyes locking with Clara’s.
Clara’s brows twitched slightly.
Something felt off, but her expression remained unreadable.
“Is that a threat, Clara?” Fiona’s voice was laced with sarcasm.
Clara didn’t respond.
She stood tall, refusing to yield.
Maybe she’d pushed herself too hard earlier, but now a dull ache had begun to bloom low in her abdomen.
It wasn’t severe—just enough to unsettle her.
Still, she wouldn’t show weakness in front of Fiona.
She needed to see what Fiona would do next.
“You think just because you’re Mrs.
Blackwood, your position is secure?” Fiona’s eyes narrowed, venom dripping from her words.
“Don’t be naive.
Ethan only brought me back because of you.
You’re nothing but a placeholder.”
She leaned closer, her voice a low, sharp whisper.
“Placeholders don’t get a say.
Understand?”
Clara remained still, her gaze steady and watchful.
She was trying to decipher Fiona’s angle.
From what she remembered, Fiona had always been pampered, treated like delicate goods.
Someone like that wouldn’t risk getting her hands dirty.
All bark, no bite—unlike Clara, who had nothing left to lose.
Fiona had everything to protect.
Clara arched a brow.
“So what’s your move?”
“You’ll see,” Fiona sneered, her smile chilling.
Then—
Fiona suddenly yanked Clara’s hand and shoved herself backward with it.
Clara froze, caught completely off guard.
She hadn’t expected Fiona to go this far.
A sharp, theatrical scream pierced the air—Fiona’s.
It was shrill and exaggerated, but loud enough to draw attention.
As Fiona let go, Clara stumbled back, thrown off balance.
She hit a column behind her—hard.
It wasn’t a direct blow to her stomach, but the impact, combined with the earlier discomfort, was too much.
Her legs trembled.
A warm, damp trickle ran down her inner thigh.
Her face paled for a second—but she quickly composed herself.
She didn’t even have time to process what had happened. The source of this chapter is g.com.
Because just then, Ethan’s voice cut through the air as he rushed in.
But he didn’t go to her.
No.
He ran straight to Fiona.
Fiona had dramatically collapsed at the bottom of the stairs.
The thick carpet had cushioned her fall—she wasn’t truly hurt, but she played the part perfectly.
“Fiona!” Ethan called out, urgency in his tone.
Fiona leaned into the performance, gasping dramatically, her face pale and strained.
She clutched Ethan’s arm like a lifeline.
“Ethan… I—I can’t breathe…”
“Don’t speak.
You’ll be okay,” he said quickly.
Ethan didn’t hesitate—located her inhaler and administered it immediately.
By then, Graham had also arrived, drawn by the commotion.
Ethan crouched beside Fiona as though she were made of glass.
“You’re going to be fine.
I’m here,” he murmured, trying to soothe her.
The medication began to take effect—Fiona’s breathing gradually steadied.
But her wide, glassy eyes welled with tears, painting a perfect picture of fragile innocence.
“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to… I wasn’t trying to cause trouble…” she stammered between shaky breaths, every word designed to evoke sympathy.
“I’m taking you to the hospital,” Ethan stated bluntly.
Without another word, he scooped Fiona into his arms and strode out of the restaurant without looking back.
Clara stood motionless, silently watching it all unfold.
A sharp, twisting cramp seized her lower abdomen.
The dampness between her legs was becoming impossible to ignore.
But Clara didn’t speak.
She merely gripped the staircase railing, her knuckles whitening from the force.
It hurt.
Terribly.
“I have to admit, Clara—I underestimated you,” Graham’s voice came from behind.
Clara offered a faint smile, bitter and calm.
“What now?
Are you here to scold me on Ethan’s behalf, or just to watch the show?”
Graham didn’t take the bait.
He simply studied her in silence.
Clara didn’t look away.
Eventually, Graham said nothing.
He gave a slight nod and hurried after the others.
Clara was left completely alone.
The moment they were gone, she released a slow, controlled breath.
She glanced down.
Blood had begun to seep into the dark carpet—barely visible, but she saw it.
Then, steadying her breathing, she walked out calmly and with composure.
Ethan had abandoned her here?
Fine.
She’d make sure he had no choice but to come looking for her.
She was done swallowing her pride.
And she refused to let Fiona walk away smug and satisfied.
She used to step back voluntarily.
But now?
Ethan was the one who’d chased after her.
Ha.
Once she regained her bearings, Clara adjusted her pace and moved toward the entrance.
“Clara?” a gentle male voice called suddenly.
She paused, startled, and turned—completely unprepared to see Nathaniel Griffith.
Keeping her expression neutral, she nodded.
“Hello, senior.”
At least she remembered how to address him properly.
Nathaniel’s sharp eyes immediately assessed her.
“Ethan left you here like this?”
“So it seems,” Clara replied flatly.
Nathaniel, being a doctor, understood her condition at a glance.
Without another word, he moved to lift her into his arms.
Clara instinctively stiffened.
“I’m not going to the hospital.”
The last thing she needed was to run into Fiona there.
Nathaniel frowned but didn’t insist.
“I’ll take you to a friend’s clinic.”
“Okay.” Clara nodded.
Wasting no time, Nathaniel helped her out quickly.
Just as they were leaving, a bodyguard entered the restaurant.
He froze for a second upon seeing them, then his eyes dropped to the floor—and someone screamed.
The blood had been noticed.
The bodyguard’s face paled instantly.
He fumbled for his phone to call Ethan.
Meanwhile, Nathaniel had already helped Clara into the car and driven off.
Clinic.
“She’s stable for now,” Jordan said after examining her.
He glanced at Nathaniel.
“But since she’s pregnant, you need to be extra careful.
No more shocks—embryos are fragile in the first trimester.”
Nathaniel nodded briefly.
“Understood.”
Jordan didn’t linger.
He could tell Clara had things to say.
“I’ll give you two some space,” he said before stepping out.
Clara looked at Nathaniel but spoke before he could.
“Thank you for helping me.
I should go now.”
“In your condition?” Nathaniel’s tone was edged with disapproval.
“Is Ethan the type to vanish after planting the seed?”