Chapter 373 Don't Dirty My Eyes
Even though Katniss had a hunch Clara would show up once she heard Johnson was out, seeing Clara standing right in front of her, safe and sound, made it tough for Katniss to hide her disdain.
Seeing Desmond and Clara together again, Katniss didn't know what expression to wear.
She glanced at the two blocking her way and stepped aside to leave.
But Desmond wasn't about to let her go that easily.
"Got something to say?" Katniss asked, clearly annoyed.
Desmond, feeling triumphant, replied, "Nothing much, just wanted to warn you not to mess with Clara anymore."
Although Ethan was the one who got Clara into trouble with the police, Desmond knew Katniss had a hand in it too.
Katniss chuckled, checking the time. It wasn't too late; she was curious to hear how she supposedly bullied Clara.
"Bully her? When did I ever bully her? How did I bully her? Go ahead, tell me," she challenged, not willing to let them off easily.
Desmond, furious at her feigned ignorance, pointed at her and shouted, "You dare ask!"
Katniss sighed and looked at Clara, who was standing next to Desmond. "He can't explain it, can you?"
Clara shrank back into Desmond's arms, pretending to be startled.
Her seemingly natural reaction made Katniss laugh, while Desmond tightened his protective hold on Clara, realizing she was scared of Katniss again.
"Don't be afraid, Clara," Desmond whispered, as if Katniss might scare Clara into fainting.
Clara clung to Desmond like a delicate flower, holding his arm tightly and trembling as she said, "Desmond, don't worry. I'm not afraid of her."
Seeing the two clinging to each other in broad daylight, Katniss rolled her eyes in disgust. She couldn't stand their lovey-dovey act and turned to leave.
But just as she took a step, Clara stepped out of Desmond's embrace, blocking her path with a seemingly timid yet assertive stance.
"Wait, wait..." Clara's voice, trembling and nauseating to Katniss, made her stop. Even Clara's outstretched hand was shaking.
"Nice performance, really convincing. But can you stop making me sick?" Katniss couldn't help but clap and comment on Clara's acting, expressing her true feelings.
Her blunt words made Clara shudder, as if she couldn't bear it.
Clara broke free from Desmond's arms, and Desmond quickly followed, blocking Katniss again.
Desmond glared at Katniss, demanding, "Who gave you the right to talk to Clara like that?" Then he turned to comfort Clara, "Don't listen to her, Clara. She's the dirty one."
Clara looked up at Desmond, tears welling in her eyes, then glanced at Katniss, saying reservedly, "Desmond, you shouldn't say that."
"Why not? It's true!" Desmond comforted Clara while glaring at Katniss.
Katniss yawned, bored. "Got anything else to say?"
Ignoring the fact that Desmond's words were just a copy of hers, Katniss found their fighting skills laughable.
Moreover, she didn't know why they suddenly decided to provoke her, but it was clear they were both holding back.
Clara, trying to keep up her pitiful act, wouldn't dare speak harshly to Katniss in front of Desmond, playing the innocent and helpless girl.
Desmond, a verbal weakling, was likely cautious because of Maximilian, not daring to go too far.
Katniss's yawn infuriated Desmond. He pointed at her and said, "I warned you! Stop messing with Clara!"
"Which eye saw me messing with her?" Katniss asked indifferently. "But you, why the mask? Got something to hide on your face?"
Desmond, provoked, shouted, "Don't make things up! Clara's arrest is connected to you!"
Katniss wasn't afraid of him. She coldly glanced at Desmond's mask, "Looks like I hit a nerve."
Clara also looked at Desmond's masked face, her gaze uncertain.
Realizing Clara's attention, Desmond quickly explained, "Clara, don't listen to her. I'm just allergic."
Seeing Clara remain silent, he scolded Katniss again, "Don't try to drive a wedge between us!"
Katniss snorted, ignoring Desmond, and glanced at Clara, speaking displeasedly, "Keep him in check."
Her words made Clara's face turn pale, and Desmond's expression equally grim.
Desmond was about to teach Katniss a lesson, but she quickly sidestepped and left.
He wanted to chase her, but Clara held his arm, whispering, "Desmond, let's handle the enrollment first."
Reminded by Clara, Desmond quickly agreed, "Alright, I'll help you with the enrollment."
However, as they walked a few steps, Clara slowed down.
Desmond looked at Clara, who was staring at his face, and instinctively adjusted his mask.
After a night, the marks Dione left on his face had mostly faded, but without the mask, the nail marks were still visible.
He felt uneasy, unsure how to explain to Clara.
"Clara,"
Clara hesitated for a moment, then interrupted him, "Desmond, I believe your face is just allergic."
Her words made Desmond first surprised, then relieved, and she too felt a sense of relief.
With her lashes lowered, her thoughts were clear.
It wasn't an allergy. Could Katniss be right? Or did Katniss know something?
Clara wanted to remove Desmond's mask to see his face, but she knew she couldn't.
Their relationship was fragile, unable to withstand any distrust or conflict.
"Thank you, Clara. Thank you for believing me," Desmond said, touched, feeling a bit guilty but quickly covering it up, "Clara, I just didn't want you to see my ugly allergic face."
Clara nodded, "I understand."
They continued with the transfer process. After finishing, Clara didn't need to rush to class, and Desmond took the day off to spend with her.
But just as he told Clara he'd spend the day with her, he received a call.
It was Dione.
Seeing the call, Desmond immediately hung up.
That woman had made his face unpresentable. Unless he had a masochistic streak, he'd stay far away from Dione.
Clara, seeing Desmond hang up, asked curiously, "Desmond, who was that?"
He replied casually, "Just a spam call. Let's go."
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