Chapter 359 We Broke Up, Didn't We
"Is this cool with you?" Katniss felt a bit uneasy about the sudden invitation.
Sophia quickly reassured her, "Totally! My mom's not busy or anything."
With Sophia's enthusiastic invitation, Katniss didn't hesitate long before agreeing.
"Hang tight, Katniss. I'll call my mom and let her know we're coming."
Katniss nodded and decided to buy some gifts.
Even though it was a last-minute plan, she knew it was polite to bring something when visiting someone's home.
As soon as Sophia left, Katniss walked into a store and had the clerk wrap up a few gifts.
Just as she was about to leave, she ran into someone unexpected.
"Katniss!" Desmond's first reaction upon seeing her was to call out, especially when he noticed the bags she was carrying. His face showed clear displeasure.
Katniss turned to face him. "Do you need something?"
She hadn't expected to run into Desmond here, and he wasn't alone. A girl was shyly clinging to his arm.
Desmond, angered by Katniss's gaze, scolded her in a low voice, "Is this how you blow Maximilian's money?"
Katniss found it amusing and coldly replied, "And what does that have to do with you?"
Most of the items she was carrying were Sophia's, and even the ones that were hers were gifts from Sophia.
The only thing she had spent her money on was the gifts she had just bought.
"How does it not concern me? He's my brother."
"If there's nothing else, I'm outta here." Katniss cut him off, her expression warning him. "Maximilian is my husband. Show some respect next time you see me."
Desmond had always been two-faced, and Katniss had been too tolerant in the past, allowing him to act arrogantly for too long.
"Katniss, don't get cocky."
Desmond hadn't finished his sentence when Katniss turned to leave. He quickly moved to block her path.
Katniss looked at him coldly. "Which eye of yours sees me being cocky?"
The girl beside Desmond, sensing the tension and noticing the attention they were drawing, softly suggested, "Maybe you two should find a place to talk? People are staring."
"No need." Katniss smiled kindly at the girl and suddenly asked, "Are you on a date with Desmond?"
The girl hadn't spoken before, so Katniss hadn't paid her much attention. Now that she had, she realized the girl had only recently met Desmond.
Desmond, seeing Katniss talking to the girl, immediately became serious and stepped in front of her. "Katniss, don't try to lead her astray!"
If it hadn't been for Katniss interfering, his relationship with Brynn would have worked out.
Just thinking about Katniss filled him with unresolved anger.
Katniss laughed, ignoring his threat, and said to the girl, "Miss, you should get to know someone before dating them."
Desmond was furious and wanted to cover Katniss's mouth. "Katniss! Shut up!"
"Katniss, who is this?" Sophia returned from her call to find Katniss in a confrontation and quickly joined her.
She scrutinized Desmond and the girl beside him. She didn't recognize either of them.
Before Katniss could respond, the girl spoke up, "Ms. Anderson? Is that you?"
She let go of Desmond's arm and hurried over to Sophia, delighted.
"Who are you?" Sophia pulled Katniss back a few steps, as if afraid of catching something.
The girl quickly introduced herself, "I'm Dione Saunders from the Saunders family. Normally, you don't know me, Ms. Anderson, but please don't worry. We mean no harm. Desmond was just catching up with your friend."
Dione didn't know the details between Katniss and Desmond, but she saw an opportunity to connect with Sophia.
Desmond was just her date for the day, not her boyfriend.
Compared to the chance to connect with Sophia, he was insignificant.
Seeing Sophia's expression soften, Dione continued, "Ms. Anderson, please don't mind. It was my boyfriend's fault. We'll leave now and not disturb you and your friend any longer."
Desmond's expression darkened at Dione's words.
She was using him to get closer to Katniss and ultimately to Sophia.
"What do you mean, Dione?" Desmond angrily shook off her hand as they walked away.
Dione scoffed, "What do I mean? If I hadn't spoken up, you would have offended the Anderson family! You're from a small town. If you cross the Anderson family, you can forget about staying in Starhaven."
Though the Anderson family's influence wasn't as overwhelming as she made it seem, Dione's words were enough to intimidate Desmond.
Desmond, indeed, felt uneasy. Suddenly, he asked, "Do you know Ethan?"
He had met Ethan a few times and knew his name. He hadn't thought much of it until now.
Clara was dating Ethan, and Desmond felt a sudden concern for her.
"Ethan is the heir to the Anderson family. You didn't know that? The Ms. Anderson you just met is his sister, Sophia."
Dione spoke with admiration. She had only seen Sophia once at a party, but that was enough to remember her.
Everyone in Starhaven wanted to connect with the Anderson family.
But Sophia was known to be in poor health and rarely went out, making it difficult to get close to her.
After the encounter with Desmond, Katniss and Sophia decided to head straight to the Anderson Villa.
Desmond, meanwhile, called Clara after parting ways with Dione.
Clara didn't answer the first call, so Desmond called again.
Clara glanced at Ethan, who was working on a project, and excused herself to the balcony to take the call.
"Clara? Where are you?" Desmond's anxious voice came through as soon as she answered.
Clara frowned instinctively. Her voice was soft, but her words were firm. "We broke up, remember? Why do you care where I am?"
Desmond felt a pang in his heart. "I'm worried about you. I just found out the Anderson family is powerful. You're not a good match for Ethan."
He wanted to say the Anderson family would want someone of equal status for Ethan, but he knew that would remind Clara of their past.
The Boleyn family might not be significant in Starhaven, but they were well-known in Luminous City.
Desmond had been quite famous himself.
Clara had been hurt by his and Brynn's arranged marriage.
He didn't want her to be hurt again.
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