Chapter 362 Men Are Unreliable
"I can't believe you guys have been through so much drama before," Sophia said, taking advantage of Ethan escorting Clara out to express her amazement.
Calliope pulled Katniss and Brynn to sit down and asked, "So, what's the deal with Clara? Ethan seems really into her for some reason."
Katniss glanced at Brynn, knowing that talking about Clara would only reopen old wounds for her.
Calliope noticed the tension and quickly changed the subject.
Brynn took a deep breath, still feeling a bit dizzy from her earlier emotional turmoil.
"Mrs. Anderson, I'll find time to talk to Ethan," she said.
Her main reason for coming to Starhaven was to relax, so she couldn't focus too much on other matters.
But seeing Clara deceive Ethan was something she couldn't ignore.
Calliope responded, "Alright."
Then she asked Katniss and Brynn what they liked to eat so she could include it in the dinner preparations.
Seeing the group chatting happily, Sophia joined in the conversation.
When Ethan returned, the room was filled with a warm and cheerful atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Clara was immediately on the phone with Johnson after being dropped off at home.
"Johnson, Brynn is in Starhaven," she said through gritted teeth, as if she wanted to kill Brynn.
Johnson didn't know who Brynn was, so Clara explained.
"Clara, I can't help you with this right now," Johnson said, the chaotic music in the background stopping. "I spent a lot of money arranging for someone to hit Scarlett, but you haven't made any progress with Ethan. What am I supposed to think?"
Clara couldn't help but complain, "But Scarlett wasn't seriously hurt!"
She wanted Scarlett dead, not just a simple leg fracture.
Johnson replied, "Not seriously hurt? She's going to be in the hospital for at least two weeks. Isn't that serious enough? But you, you need to get Ethan to propose within those two weeks!"
He had some business deals lined up and needed the Anderson family's influence, which he could only get through Clara.
Clara gritted her teeth and told Johnson about Brynn mentioning Luminous City to Ethan, which made Johnson panic.
However, Clara was the one who suffered first. Johnson angrily scolded her, "Why didn't you stop her? And how come you didn't tell me that someone you had a conflict with knows the Anderson family?"
"I didn't know." Clara continued to plead, "Johnson, please help me deal with Brynn!"
If she had the means in Luminous City, she would have wanted Brynn dead.
Now that Brynn was alone in Starhaven, she didn't want to miss this opportunity.
"Do you think I'm a hitman? Even if this needs to be done, you have to do it yourself!" Johnson wasn't stupid. He wanted to control Clara and wouldn't hand over such leverage to her.
But his words were meant to provoke Clara. He didn't expect her to agree immediately.
To Johnson's surprise, Clara hesitated for only a second before agreeing.
"Alright, Johnson, as long as you can help me, I'll do whatever you say." Clara's hatred for Brynn was so intense that she wanted to kill her right away.
She wanted to settle both old and new scores.
"Fine, I'll make arrangements," Johnson agreed after a brief pause.
Clara wanted to say more, but Johnson hung up the phone.
Staring at the disconnected call, Clara composed herself before dialing Desmond's number.
Desmond answered almost instantly.
As soon as the call connected, he heard Clara crying.
"Clara? What's wrong?" Desmond's heart ached upon hearing her sobs.
Between sobs, Clara said, "Desmond, Brynn is in Starhaven."
Desmond had already heard from Gabriel that Brynn was in Starhaven, but he didn't expect Clara to find out so soon.
He asked nervously, "What did Brynn do to you?"
His first reaction was that Brynn had bullied Clara, but Clara didn't follow his lead.
She choked up before asking, "Did you know Brynn was coming to Starhaven?"
Clara sensed that Desmond wasn't surprised by Brynn's arrival, guessing he knew before her.
But Desmond hadn't told her!
If Desmond had informed her immediately, she might have avoided running into Brynn at the Anderson family gathering.
Men were truly unreliable!
"I just found out. My dad told me. Clara, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to keep it from you," Desmond quickly tried to soothe her.
Clara felt dissatisfied but spoke softly and pitifully.
"I don't blame you. But did Mr. Boleyn tell you about Brynn coming to Starhaven because he wants you to get back together with her?"
Desmond hurriedly explained, "Clara, I won't get back together with her! My heart belongs to you, Clara."
He felt that Clara was softer tonight than when they last met, perhaps indicating she was reconsidering. He didn't want to miss this chance.
Clara responded softly before saying, "Desmond, can you do me a favor?"
"I'd do anything for you, Clara, even die for you," Desmond said.
Clara whispered, "Desmond, don't say that. I just want you to tell Brynn that I didn't know you were dating her at the time."
Desmond hesitated.
Clara provoked him, "Do you still want to get back together with her?"
"No! Clara, don't worry. I'll tell her," Desmond promised.
Clara sighed in relief but didn't trust Desmond to act quickly. She urged, "Desmond, can you call her now?"
If she weren't afraid of Desmond suspecting her, she would have asked him to put Brynn on speaker.
Her real intention wasn't for Brynn to know anything but for Ethan to believe she was innocent and not a homewrecker.
Desmond, feeling sympathetic and wanting to show his commitment, agreed immediately.
After hanging up, Desmond called Brynn.
Brynn was sitting at the dinner table, surrounded by others, the atmosphere much more relaxed than before.
When her phone rang, Brynn quietly excused herself and answered.
Hearing Desmond's voice, she instinctively wanted to hang up, but Desmond's words poured out.
"Brynn, don't bother Clara. She didn't know I was dating you at the time!" Brynn didn't have the phone on speaker, but Desmond's voice was loud enough for everyone to hear.
"You're lying!" Brynn's expression turned firm, ready to curse him, but Desmond hung up abruptly.
Katniss broke the silence, "He's lying. Clara knew perfectly well. I can testify to that."
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