Chapter 358 I Will Only Get Engaged to Her
Calliope stood up, her words sharp and aggressive.
Even though her expression was kind and not particularly intimidating, she still managed to scare Clara, who was standing next to Ethan.
Clara flinched, and Ethan immediately stepped in front of her protectively. "Hey, don't worry," he said.
"Okay," Clara nodded timidly, clinging to Ethan.
Ethan let Clara lean on him and looked at Calliope, whose brow was furrowed. "Let's sit down and talk."
Realizing she had overreacted, Calliope sat back on the couch and sighed, though it seemed more out of frustration than anything else.
At first glance, she was dissatisfied with Clara's behavior, especially her deer-in-the-headlights reaction. It was hard for Calliope to like her.
The relationship between Calliope and Ethan was already strained, and Clara's frightened demeanor only made Calliope seem more menacing in comparison.
Ethan ignored Calliope's sigh and led Clara to sit on the other side of the couch.
He asked Clara softly, "Feeling better?"
After spending a few days together, Ethan knew Clara was timid and innocent.
Whenever she got scared, he would promptly show concern.
This was something new for him, something he only started doing after Clara had privately complained to him about it.
But when Ethan did these things, he didn't feel much about it; he just did what he thought he should, like following a set of instructions.
However, Calliope saw things differently.
She couldn't help but reassess Clara's importance to Ethan, wondering how long they had been together and what Clara had done to make Ethan care so much.
The butler returned after making a phone call and saw the three of them sitting in silence.
He quickly instructed the servants to prepare coffee.
"Mrs. Calliope Anderson, Mr. Ethan Anderson, and Mr. Donovan Anderson will be back in half an hour," the butler said with a bow.
His words broke the silence, and everyone snapped out of their thoughts.
Calliope softened her tone and asked, "What's your name, and where are you from?"
Clara responded quietly, "My name is Clara, and I'm from Luminous City."
The Manners family in Luminous City wasn't very notable, especially compared to Starhaven.
Clara felt embarrassed to mention it, fearing ridicule.
Hearing Clara's response, Calliope frowned.
Ethan had gone to Luminous City against their wishes and now brought back a woman from there.
It was hard for her to like Clara.
"So, you're from Luminous City. How long have you known Ethan?" She guessed they must have met in Luminous City, otherwise, Ethan wouldn't be so protective of Clara.
"Not long. We met after coming to Starhaven," Clara replied softly, her face showing a smile and evident happiness.
If it weren't for Desmond and her feelings for him, Clara's happiness might have been more genuine.
But now, she knew she still truly liked Desmond.
With Ethan, it was mostly about using him.
Besides, Ethan didn't like her.
Ethan was just being responsible. If it had been someone else that night, he would have treated them the same way.
Thinking about this, Clara lowered her head, feeling inexplicably down.
Calliope looked at them in surprise, seeing Clara's lowered head, and began to doubt her words.
She couldn't understand how their relationship could progress so quickly.
Unable to figure it out, Calliope didn't press further and instead asked about Clara's background, which Clara had avoided earlier. "Clara, what's your family situation?"
Clara looked up cautiously at Ethan beside her.
She couldn't tell if Calliope was displeased with her, so she didn't know whether to tell the truth.
Her family situation wasn't something to boast about, whether it was the Baker family or the Manners family.
Ethan comfortingly rubbed her head. "You don't have to say if you don't want to."
"Sorry, Mrs. Anderson, my family situation is a bit complicated, and I don't want to talk about it," Clara said, lowering her head, looking sad and pained.
She had told Ethan before that she was switched at birth and that her life with both the Manners and Baker families wasn't great.
She didn't know if Ethan had verified it, but since he was protecting her, it meant her lies hadn't been exposed.
Besides, she hadn't lied.
A little investigation would reveal how poorly she fared in Luminous City.
Calliope wanted to say more, but was interrupted by Ethan.
He said, "No need to ask. I'm only going to get engaged to her."
He brought Clara home not for the family to test her but just to introduce her.
Calliope was helpless. "So, Ethan, are you staying for dinner? I'll have it prepared."
Ethan looked down at Clara beside him. "Do you want to eat here?"
Clara was about to shake her head but caught Calliope's gaze and, on a whim, nodded.
"Then please have it prepared. I'll take Clara upstairs to rest. Call me when Dad gets back," Ethan said, leading Clara upstairs.
Clara was dazed, only snapping out of it when they reached a room that wasn't often used.
"Is this Ethan's room?" Clara asked softly, looking at the expensive decor.
Ethan replied casually, "Yeah, but I don't stay here now."
He was tired of dealing with Calliope but had enough patience for Clara.
"Where do you stay now?" She had no idea where Ethan stayed since he always took her back to her place.
Ethan, puzzled, but answered, "At the hotel."
He had properties in Starhaven, but the hotel was more convenient, with varied and nutritious food. He found it more suitable.
Clara nodded and didn't ask further.
To keep Clara entertained, Ethan handed her a book. Clara took it but didn't understand it at all, falling silent.
She was afraid Ethan might quiz her and discover she couldn't understand the book he gave her.
The room fell silent, and Ethan, noticing Clara's silence, started doing his own thing.
Meanwhile, Sophia was out shopping with Katniss.
Though it was supposed to be for Katniss, most of the purchases were things Sophia wanted.
As they shopped, Sophia received a call from Brynn.
After hanging up, she excitedly told Katniss, "Katniss, Brynn is in Starhaven and is coming to my house!"
Katniss recalled Brynn, the poor girl deceived by Desmond.
"Let's go home then," Katniss said, feeling better after a round of shopping.
Sophia hesitated and asked, "Why don't you come to my house too? My parents have wanted to meet you for a long time. My mom has always wanted to thank you for saving me."
After all, it was thanks to Brynn that they found Katniss.
And Brynn had mentioned that Katniss had helped her, too.
Now that Brynn was in Starhaven to relax, Sophia thought it would be nice for the three of them to get together.