Chapter 324 No One Can Protect Her Anymore
Upon hearing Clara's words, Desmond quickly reassured her, "Don't sweat it, Clara. Even if no one else is around, I'm not gonna let Katniss off easy! Maximilian isn't here to cover for her anymore."
"I trust you, Desmond," Clara replied, her eyes welling up with tears.
Seeing Desmond deep in thought, Clara took the chance to mention that Oliver had asked Johnson to help her transfer to another university.
If it weren't for Katniss trashing her reputation in Luminous City, she wouldn't have had to move.
Now that she was in Starhaven, she could be with Desmond again.
Their conversation was interrupted when the door to the villa swung open.
It was Johnson, accompanied by Neil.
Both men paused upon seeing Clara and Desmond embracing.
"Clara, who's this?" Johnson asked, squinting his eyes and patting his round belly as he looked at Desmond.
Clara stepped away from Desmond and answered, "He's my boyfriend. Mr. Thompson, what brings you here?"
Johnson's sudden appearance caught Clara off guard.
What made her even more uncomfortable was that he had entered without knocking, despite the villa being his.
Remembering how Johnson had been inappropriate with her the previous night, Clara felt a wave of nausea and urgently wanted to find a new place to stay.
"Clara, didn't I say I'd personally take you to enroll today? Did you forget?"
In truth, Johnson had forgotten, but Neil had reminded him.
On a whim, Johnson had checked the villa's surveillance and noticed an extra person, prompting him to bring Neil along.
"You're right. Shall we go now? Can my boyfriend come with us?" Clara asked timidly, holding Desmond's arm.
Johnson narrowed his eyes in displeasure but nodded.
Desmond politely addressed Johnson as Mr. Thompson as well, but they exchanged a few words on the way.
When they arrived at the school, Desmond was visibly upset.
Johnson had arranged for Clara to attend a low-tier university.
"Mr. Thompson, is this the only school available?" Desmond asked, holding Clara's hand and looking at the school entrance.
Johnson replied, "I have investments in this school, so it's easier to get her in. Other schools wouldn't accept a transfer at this point. Besides, Clara's records..."
Clara interrupted, "Desmond, I think this place is fine. It's close to Starhaven Medical University, so I can visit you often."
Desmond wanted to argue, but realized his father wouldn't help transfer Clara to Starhaven Medical University. He reluctantly agreed. "Alright."
The three of them completed the enrollment process.
Johnson, annoyed by their affection, insisted on taking Clara back to the villa, but she declined, saying she wanted to spend more time with Desmond.
"Clara, don't just think about having fun. Even if the school isn't great, you should focus on your studies," Johnson said, displeased.
Clara nodded timidly.
Desmond stepped in front of her, assuring Johnson, "Mr. Thompson, I'll show Clara around and then take her home."
Though Desmond had only been in Starhaven a day longer than Clara, Johnson didn't know this and was somewhat satisfied with Desmond's response. He left with Neil.
Once Johnson was gone, Clara tugged on Desmond's sleeve. "Desmond, I want to move out."
Living with Johnson made her uneasy.
Despite Johnson being Oliver's old friend, his behavior, like entering without knocking, made her uncomfortable.
Desmond was about to respond when he spotted someone in the distance.
It was Katniss, alone.
"Clara, I see Katniss!"
Clara perked up. Part of her reason for coming to Starhaven was to confront Katniss.
With Desmond around, she wouldn't confront Katniss directly.
"Desmond, what should we do?"
She clung to Desmond's arm, pretending to be terrified of Katniss.
Desmond, feeling protective, immediately said, "Don't worry, Clara. I'll get justice for you!"
He was already disgusted by what Clara had told him about Katniss.
Seeing her now, he was ready to confront her.
But just as he took a step forward, Katniss entered a café.
Sensing something was off, Desmond decided against a confrontation and instead led Clara to the café, staying out of sight.
"Desmond, why aren't we going in?" Clara asked, anxious.
"Let's see who she's meeting first. If she's doing something inappropriate, Maximilian will deal with her."
Desmond's disdain for Katniss led him to assume the worst about her.
Clara bit her lip, agreeing with Desmond's logic but eager to confront Katniss.
Two minutes after Katniss entered the café, Desmond and Clara followed.
Desmond quickly found a table and sat down.
He immediately spotted Katniss sitting with a young man.
"Unbelievable. Katniss is doing this," Clara whispered to Desmond. "Should we take a picture?"
Desmond, using the latest phone model, didn't miss the opportunity.
He snapped a photo of Katniss and the young man and sent it to Maximilian with a message.
"I sent it to Maximilian. Let's go," Desmond said, pulling Clara towards Katniss.
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