Chapter 216
Chapter 218
Jack felt the blood rushing to his head, ready to let loose a storm of expletives.
His shoulders were tense, fists clenched by his sides, when Florence stepped between him and the inevitable
disaster.
“Jack, enough!” she said, her voice cutting through his fury
“Clara’s your aunt. You’re going to show her a bit of respect. She came all the way from Vermont, and this birthday bash could help her make some connections. Let her head out with Charles and Sophia p>
Jack’s glare shifted from Florence to Clara. “Oh, I heard it loud and clear, Mom. Helping dear old Auntie Clara rub shoulders with Miss Kane-great plan. Let me know when can book my slot to kiss her ring p>
Clara raised her chin and smirked. “See that? I’ll be on the fast track to the high life once I befriend Miss Kane. Maybe I’ll toss a few crumbs your way too p>
That was the match on Jack’s fuse.
He slammed his open palm down on the edge of an antique vase, rattling it violently. “Do us all a favor, Clara, and don’t make promises you can’t keep,” he growled.
“Jack, watch your tone,” Florence snapped.
“My tone was fine before your precious sister showed up,” he spat, then stomped off, slamming the door so hard the walls vibrated.
Ever since Clara’s arrival, the spotlight had swung from him to her.
Meanwhile, Charles had arranged a limousine to pick up Sophia and Clara.
Outside, the car was sleek and polished under the porch lights.
A private hangar awaited them, where a gleaming jet stood ready to whisk them away.
They sank into the limo’s leather seats, the city lights spinning past tinted windows.
Charles cleared his throat. “Sophia, right, I almost forgot.” He reached into his blazer and pulled out an ornate jewelry box. “I thought you might like this for the party tonight p>
Clara’s eyes glittered with curiosity.
Sophia opened the box to reveal a delicate diamond necklace-somehow both understated and dazzling.
“Oh… it’s lovely,” Sophia said softly, though her discomfort was obvious. “But I already have something from my grandfather. I don’t want to impose-this is too expensive. I can’t accept p>
Charles tried to maintain a casual smile. “Don’t worry about it. I just thought p>
“It’s stunning!” Clara’s squeal cut him off. She snatched the box in a flash, practically shoving it under Charles’s nose. “I’ve never laid eyes on something so exquisite. You said it cost what, a fortune p>
He shrugged, clearly embarrassed by the attention. “A little over a million dollars p>
“A million?” Clara echoed, her voice rising a few octaves. She gazed at Sophia with a mix of jealous and awe. “Why would you turn down something so precious? Charles, put it on me just so I can see how it looks p>
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Chapter 218
Without waiting for his response, she held out the necklace Her eyes shone with expectation.
Charles’s movements were hesitant.
He pressed his lips together, trying not to offend either woman. But Clara’s eagerness left no room for refusal.
He leaned forward and clasped it around her neck.
She batted her lashes. “Well, Charles, how does it look p>
He shifted uncomfortably, hands settling in his lap. “It looks… it’s nice on you, Clara, but-
“Of course it’s nice,” Clara interrupted, flipping her hair over her shoulder.
“I’m just borrowing it, after all. Right, Sophia?” She flashed an overly sweet smile. “Don’t worry Charles. Sophia can take it back from me after the party if she wants. Isn’t that right, Sophia p>
Sophia’s jaw tightened. She wasn’t worried about the necklace itself-she hated how Clara could twist a simple offer into something cringingly grand.
“Aunt Clara, you should give it back now,” she said, voice low. “It belongs to Charles p>
Clara rolled her eyes. “Relax, dear niece. It’s just for one night. Don’t be so small- minded p>
Sophia tried again, forcing calm. “It’s not about being petty. I just p>
Clara waved a hand dismissively. “We’re all family. And Charles here is so generous. Why would I waste a chance to wear something so magnificent p>
Her eyes shifted to Charles, brazenly flickering with flirtation. “Surely you wouldn’t leave a woman necklace- less, especially on a big night. And later, you can help me take it off, I’d be very… appreciative p>
Sophia felt a surge of protective anger clamp her heart. She knew Clara’s game: promise to return something later,” only to magically forget.
But more than that, she resented how Clara stepped all over people’s boundaries as if it were her birthright.
“Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret p>
So, she opted for silence.
Charles glanced at Sophia, his gaze apologetic, then returned to Clara with a polite nod.
It was clear he wanted no argument.
They boarded Charles’s jet, a pristine white aircraft that rose above the city lights.
Clara immediately scooted closer to Charles, filling the flight with her laughter, coy touches, and endless attempts at flirting.
She was practically clinging to him like an ivy, eager for his wealth and status to rub off on her.
Sophia tried to look out the window and ignore the nauseating display.
No wonder Jack’s furious, she thought. Clara’s a walking gold mine of trouble.
After two hours in the air, they landed in Vermont.
By the time they arrived at Kane’s Hotel, it was late evening, the grand foyer illuminated by chandelier light. A
Chapter 218
black limousine pulled up to the entrance, where cameras flashed from all angles.
Charles stepped out first-tall, suave, an air of celebrity around him.
Sophia followed in a sleek black dress, her hair tumbling in soft waves. She wore only a simple heirloom bracelet, letting her natural poise speak for itself.
Then came Clara, done up like a jeweled Christmas tree, hair in a carefully styled chignon to spotlight the million-dollar necklace.
She stepped onto the red carpet with a smirk, expecting the world to gasp in awe.
“Charles, marry me!” someone screamed from the crowd.
“Wow, check out that lady in the black dress-she’s gorgeous,” another voice called.
“Isn’t that the famous Sophia? She’s stunning in person p>
Clara waited for her barrage of compliments, but the photographers kept yelling for Sophia.
The crowd angled around Clara, begging for Sophia and Charles to pose together. One journalist even asked Clara to move aside so he could get a better shot of Sophia.
The sting was immediate, a slap of reality across Clara’s vanity.
Her cheeks flamed. She had spent hours perfecting every detail, from her glittering hairpins to her designer heels, yet no one seemed to care.
The million-dollar necklace sparkled, but next to Sophia’s effortless grace, Clara looked like she was trying too hard-and failing miserably.
She forced a tight smile and tossed her head, swearing under her breath. These idiots have no taste, she thought angrily.
Sophia’s just some secondhand wife-how is she overshadowing me? Charles offered his arm to Sophia, guiding her through the throng of well-wishers.
Clara trailed behind, practically trembling with rage. She’d imagined arriving arm- in-arm with Charles, stealing the limelight, taking proud ownership of that diamond necklace.
But in reality, she was just the inconvenient third wheel.
Sophia glanced back only once, catching the resentment on Clara’s face. Their
eyes met in a moment of silent tension, and Clara’s lips drew into a tight sneer. She held her head high, refusing to break her gaze. I’ll come out on top. Just watch, her expression promised.