NovelOnlineChapter 153
Meanwhile, Clara and Scarlette made their way back to their apartment. Scarlette, feeling quite satisfied with
how the evening had turned out, casually tossed her hair back and extended a friendly hand to Clara. "I dig your
vibe. How about we hit the shops together sometime?"
Since waking up, Clara hadn't really connected with anyone other than Megan, so she eagerly accepted the offer.
"Sounds great."
Scarlette waved her off with a cheerful, "I'll head hnow."
They both retreated to their own spaces. Clara, completely wiped out, took a quick shower and flopped into bed,
falling asleep almost instantly.
The next day at work, Clara was deep in her tasks when someone mentioned she had visitors waiting downstairs.
She was curious and headed down to find Naomi and Ryan there.
Ryan looked a bit uneasy, leaning against a column with his arms crossed, refusing to meet Clara's eyes. Naomi,
on the other hand, wasted no tand launched into an accusatory rant. "Why'd you block everyone's numbers
and not chlast night? We've been searching everywhere for you. Quinn got kidnapped yesterday, and
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtnow she's so scared. That recording is all anyone can talk about. Clara, just admit you faked it."
Clara calmly sat down on a lobby sofa, taking in Naomi's words. "Is that why you're here?"
Naomi plopped down across from her, her tone unwavering. "That is the most pressing issue right now."
"Naomi, why're you askingto own up to this? Deep down, you must suspect that the voice on the recording
is actually Quinn's, right? There was no faking it. She was trying to setup and got caught. You don't want her
facing public backlash, so you've ctobecause I'm the expendable eldest daughter. Who cares if | take
the fall?"
Naomi's eyes flickered with guilt. After a pause, she replied, "You've been under fire for so long already. What will
one more thing do?"
Without hesitation, Clara grabbed a half-finished iced tea from the coffee table and splashed it over Naomi.
Naomi, dripping wet, looked up in shock.
"Naomi, maybe now you'll think twice. I've told you before, don't speak tocondescendingly. | have no
obligation to cover for anyone, especially not Quinn. If you don't want her to suffer, put it on Ryan instead. Or is
he too precious?"
Naomi trembled, her lips quivering. "Clara, what happened to you?"
This wasn't the submissive daughter she remembered. Clara tucked her hair behind her ear. "Don't bother me
with this again. It's a waste of my time."
Ryan, silent until now, finally spoke. "Mom, is the recording really not fake? Is it actually Quinn?"
Naomi was overwhelmed and watched Clara's indifferent retreat. She took a few steps to follow but stopped,
muttering to herself. "Where did it all go wrong..."
Ryan pressed on. "Mom, answer me. Is Clara right? Did you know the recording was real? Why did you cto
Clara? You're so biased!"
Before he could continue, Naomi slapped him hard across the face. "Shut up!"
Ryan was stunned and held his cheek. No one, other than Clara, had ever slapped him.
Naomi was also shocked by her own action. She felt a deep pang in her chest. She sat down, holding her head.
"Do you think | wanted this? Ryan, you don't know what kind of life Quinn had with her adoptive parents.
Everything she endured was because of Clara. How can | not be biased against Clara?"
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
She rubbed her temples, the smell of tea still lingering. "Quinn's adoptive family was terrible. She was abused,
worked from the age of twelve to support them, and had to care for a mentally challenged brother. When I found
her, she was bruised and wouldn't even look at me."
Ryan fell silent, his heart heavy. "But still..."
"But what? She was kidnapped because Clara didn't report it. Quinn saved her sister and was trapped for years.
Now that she's back, shouldn't Clara be more understanding? Instead, she bullies Quinn without remorse. I've
seen it all; how can my heart not be partial? | hate how unaffected Clara is. Ryan, Quinn's been secretly seeing a
therapist. She needs our love."
Ryan felt frozen, urgency coloring his voice. "Why didn't | know about the therapist? When did she start?"
"Since joining the Bradford family. She's strong-willed and told no one. Not even your father."
Such a tragic story would touch anyone.
Ryan was young and impressionable and was quickly influenced. "Mom, what do we do now?"
"Getting Clara to confess would be best. Otherwise, Quinn's engagement might collapse. You could help by
talking to Clara. She doesn't hate you as much as the rest of us."
Ryan hesitated, finally lowering his gaze. "I understand."
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