Chapter 334 Why Did She Kept Approaching Her
The night over Starhaven was always dazzling.
Katniss walked beside Maximilian as they stepped into the grand ballroom.
This wasn't her first time attending such an event.
She had accompanied Maximilian to similar gatherings in Luminous City, but this one in Starhaven felt different.
As they entered, few people turned to look at them.
Those who did quickly lost interest upon recognizing them.
Katniss, arm in arm with Maximilian, found the experience oddly refreshing.
Maximilian's expression remained unchanged as he led Katniss to a seat off to the side.
The event was a bidding gala, but Maximilian had little interest in the proceedings, so he hadn't even brought his assistant.
They had barely sat down when Katniss spotted a familiar figure.
"What is she doing here?" Katniss frowned, looking at Clara in the distance.
Clara was clinging to a slightly overweight man, her smile insincere.
Maximilian followed Katniss's gaze and saw Clara and the man beside her.
"The man with her seems to be Johnson, the CEO of the Thompson Group."
Since arriving in Starhaven, Maximilian hadn't taken over all the branch's affairs but had the local team compile information on some of the city's companies.
These past few days, he had been setting strategies and getting a feel for Starhaven's landscape.
Katniss whispered, "It's fine, let's just ignore her."
She indeed had a strong dislike for Clara, but as long as Clara didn't provoke her, she had no intention of seeking her out.
However, Clara's presence in Starhaven suggested she might be following Desmond.
Before Katniss could resolve her doubts, Clara approached with Johnson in tow.
"Katniss, I didn't expect to see you at this event!" Clara's voice was overly sweet, as if they were the best of friends.
Katniss frowned at her, not responding.
Johnson smiled at Katniss, "So you're Katniss. What a coincidence."
Katniss asked coolly, "And you are?"
Johnson's smile faltered for a moment before he composed himself. "I'm a friend of Oliver's. Clara calls me Mr. Thompson, so you should too."
"Alright," Katniss replied indifferently.
Johnson was a friend of Oliver's, which meant little to her. She had long severed ties with the Manners family.
If Johnson had approached her alone, she might have responded more politely.
But with Clara by his side, she did not incline to be friendly.
Johnson sensed Katniss's coldness but maintained his oily smile.
He took a glass of wine from a passing waiter and offered it to Katniss.
"Let's have a drink together."
Katniss didn't take the glass. "I don't drink."
Johnson hesitated, then continued, "What about your husband? I've heard he's quite capable. Surely he can drink?"
"He can't either," Katniss replied with a smile, taking the glass and setting it aside.
Maximilian remained silent, letting Katniss handle the situation.
He would only step in if she needed him to.
Johnson's smile was starting to slip.
Katniss watched him calmly.
In truth, she was more interested in seeing Clara's discomfort.
She had only met Johnson once and didn't harbor much ill will towards him.
"Your sister, Calar, said you were well-behaved. I didn't expect you to be so disrespectful to your elders," Johnson said, his tone mild, as if expressing disappointment.
Katniss's expression remained unchanged.
She didn't care about Johnson's opinion.
As Oliver's friend, he likely had a biased view of her.
She glanced at Clara, who avoided her gaze, and said casually, "She's not my sister. Clara has been disowned by the Manners family."
Katniss herself was no longer a member of the Manners family either, but there was no need to mention that now.
Clara's face briefly showed embarrassment, but she quickly recovered, smiling. "Mr. Thompson, let's go. You said you had a friend to meet."
Johnson gave Katniss one last look before following Clara's lead.
Maximilian watched them leave without a word, while Katniss felt puzzled by Clara's behavior.
She couldn't understand why Clara kept approaching her, only to be rebuffed each time.
"Who knew Oliver had connections in Starhaven?" Katniss remarked with a wry smile.
She had no respect for Oliver, and mentioning his name left a bad taste in her mouth.
Clara and Desmond's scandal in Luminous City had made Clara a pariah, but here in Starhaven, Clara seemed to have reinvented herself.
This irked Katniss, unsettling the calm she had worked hard to maintain.
"Are you okay? Feeling unwell?" Maximilian asked, gently massaging her temples.
Katniss shook her head. "No, just a bit nauseous. I'll go to the restroom."
She attributed her complex feelings after seeing Clara to nausea, which seemed fitting.
Meanwhile, Johnson and Clara found a secluded corner.
"Is that the Katniss who caused so much trouble for the Manners family? She seems tough, but manageable," Johnson commented.
Clara clenched her fists, her hatred evident. "Yes, she's the one who ruined us. Mr. Thompson, you have to help us."
"Don't worry, your father asked me to help, and I will. But you need to do your part too." Johnson's smile was greasy as he touched Clara's face.
Clara shuddered, her skin crawling. "What should we do? She refused the drink."