Chapter 4: Her Leg Hooked Over His...

Clara’s eyes remained clear as she felt Alistair’s hand lingering against her neck.

With a single movement, he could easily crush her throat.

But she knew Alistair wouldn't do it.

Clara furrowed her brow, her gaze filling with a level of grievance that seemed ready to overflow.

"Why are you always suspecting me of being a spy?"

"You've already slept with me, and..." Clara paused, a flush creeping up her face. "If I were really a spy, I had plenty of opportunities to harm you when we were in bed."

Her distress didn't seem faked. Against Alistair’s palm, her skin felt delicate and soft.

She wasn't wrong. Earlier had indeed been his most reckless moment, the time when his guard was at its lowest.

With a flick of his index finger, he forced Clara’s chin upward.

Suddenly, a warm, moist kiss crashed onto her lips.

Clara froze for a heartbeat before closing her eyes to return the kiss.

Alistair had a flawless physique—broad shoulders, a narrow waist, long legs, and perfect eight-pack abs.

His burning palm slid over the soft flesh of her thigh.

"Alistair... no... stop..."

Clara’s face was flushed, her breathing ragged as one of her legs hooked over the man’s arm.

Aside from the slight redness in his eyes, Alistair looked perfectly composed in his neat clothes, his gaze so focused it was as if he were engaged in a serious business matter.

Alistair let out a soft laugh, watching Clara through the mirror.

She was the first woman he had found both beautiful and genuinely interesting.

"Shall we head back together?"

Clara took a sharp breath, looking at him with an expression that clearly said,

Are you an idiot?

"Are you crazy?"

"Do you want your brother to find out that on the very first day his sister returned, she was... was by you..."

Clara shot him an annoyed glare. "I’m going out first. You wait a few minutes before following."

Watching the white silhouette disappear through the door, Alistair leaned his weight on the vanity with both hands.

The man in the mirror had sharp, deep-set features—not just handsome, but aggressively so.

"But... why didn't I see a single trace of obsession in that girl's eyes?"

After leaving the restroom, Clara patted her cheeks and took several deep breaths to steady her racing heart.

"What part of Alistair Vance is supposed to be 'stoic'?"

The memory of the scene just now made her heart race and her face burn again.

She strode back toward the booth.

It was immediately obvious that Julian’s mood was terrible; his face was as dark as a soot-stained pot.

"Brother, what’s wrong?"

Julian looked up at Clara. He didn't want to believe who had tried to harm her, but if a girl as beautiful and innocent as Clara hadn't run into them today...

The mere thought of the alternative made Julian want to tear that person apart.

"Why were you gone so long? Is your stomach upset?"

Clara blushed, looking embarrassed. "My legs are a bit weak from sitting too long, and I haven't eaten all day..."

Julian: !!!!

"Let’s go. I’m taking you home!"

Julian swept Clara up in a bridal carry just as Alistair walked back.

"What’s this?"

"My sister hasn't eaten all day. Her legs are weak, so I'm taking her home to get some food."

Clara clenched her palms, smiling while screaming internally:

You really didn't need to use the phrase 'weak legs'!

A meaningful smile flickered in Alistair’s eyes. "Hm. I'm heading back too. Let's go together."

Julian carried Clara all the way out of the bar. Those who didn't know their relationship erupted into high-pitched screams of shock.

"Oh my god, where's my phone!"

"Quick, record this!"

"They're getting in the car! Ahhh!!"

"Alistair Vance is right there! And he looks totally fine with Julian carrying that girl!"

"What on earth is going on!"

As the crowd recorded with their phones, Clara kept her head buried in Julian’s chest.

Julian placed her in the car.

"Clara, you take this car. I have something to discuss with Alistair."

Julian ruffled Clara’s hair before closing the door.

Due to the situation, Julian’s mood was foul, and his expression darkened as soon as the door shut.

Bystanders who didn't know the truth immediately started whispering: "Master Julian didn't even get in the same car as that girl; he got in Master Alistair’s car instead!"

"Look at Julian’s face. He looks miserable!"

"That girl probably overstepped. Otherwise, why would Julian, the nicest of the three, look so angry?"

Amidst the speculation, the two luxury cars sped away.

Inside the car, Clara watched the night scenery passing by, her eyes full of wonder.

This place was far more prosperous than Veridia; it was like night and day.

In this moment, Clara finally shed her various masks. But just as she was feeling a sense of joy, her phone vibrated twice.

Her heart skipped a beat. she looked down and opened the message. Upon reading it, all the strength left her body.

[Adoptive Father: Don’t forget your mission.]

Clara turned off her phone, the joy she had just felt vanishing instantly.

She didn't know what her biological parents were like, nor did she know if the woman who had enjoyed her life of luxury for twenty years would welcome her arrival.

In the other car, the atmosphere was equally stifling.

"Alistair... if Mia does something to hurt Clara, what should I do..."

Julian’s heart was in turmoil. He didn't know how to voice his conflict.

"A biological sister is biological. A fake is a fake."

"Do you really expect a fraud to care about you, your parents, or the woman who is about to take her place?"

Alistair understood immediately. Mia—now going by Mia Vance—was the one who sent the text that lured Clara to the bar.

The thought of such a scheming woman sharing his surname filled Alistair with annoyance.

"When the scales in your heart start to tip toward Mia, just think about how much your real sister suffered in Veridia because of her."

"Now that your sister is back, your family hasn't even mentioned sending Mia away, yet she is already so desperate to get rid of her."

Julian’s pupils contracted as the realization hit him.

"You're right. My sister suffered so much for her, while Mia was raised as a princess—the princess of the entire city."

"And instead of welcoming Clara back as a sister, she wants to destroy her!"

Julian closed his eyes. Alistair didn't bother him, staring at his phone with unknown thoughts.

Clara dozed off for a while in the car. She knew when the vehicle stopped, but she didn't open her eyes.

A moment later, the car door opened. Julian’s voice drifted in: "My sister is asleep. I'll carry her in."

Before Julian could reach out, Clara heard a familiar, flirtatious voice.

"I’ll do it."