Chapter 440 Enough for Them to Mock
Back in her room, Clara immediately called Desmond.
Ever since she found out Desmond was back in Luminous City, she'd been on edge.
The idea of him knowing about her assault made her too embarrassed to face him, let alone reach out.
But now, with Starhaven getting more dangerous by the day, she wanted to go back to Luminous City.
As long as she could delete the photos Ryan had before leaving, she'd have nothing else to worry about.
Clara thought about this while listening to the ringing on her phone.
After half a minute with no answer, the call automatically disconnected.
Desmond hadn't picked up.
Feeling conflicted, Clara hesitated, unsure if she should try calling again.
After a moment, she decided to put her phone down.
In a private club in Luminous City, Desmond stared at his phone with a complicated expression after seeing Clara's call.
He had immediately put his phone on silent and continued to stare at the screen until the call ended.
Clara was trying to reach him.
The thought of Clara brought back what Dylan had told him—that when he called Clara, a strange man had answered.
The memory made him feel sick, and he hadn't contacted Clara since.
"What's Desmond looking at?" one of the people in the club's private room asked, noticing Desmond staring at his now-black phone screen.
"Nothing, let's keep drinking," Desmond replied, shaking his head and setting his phone aside.
He didn't organize the gathering, but it was closely related to him.
His friends had arranged a celebration to welcome him back to Luminous City.
As soon as Desmond returned, Gabriel had scolded him and confined him to the house.
But after just one day, Desmond couldn't stand it anymore.
When Gabriel left the house, Desmond received an invitation from his friends and pitifully begged Emily to let him go.
Emily, who couldn't bear to see him suffer, relented and secretly let him out.
However, before he left, Emily repeatedly warned him not to cause trouble and to come home early.
Desmond agreed to all her warnings, but as soon as he stepped out, he forgot them.
Now, in the dimly lit club room, Desmond opened another expensive bottle of liquor.
"Mr. Boleyn, you're so generous," someone praised.
Desmond, basking in the flattery, felt his bad mood from Clara's call dissipate.
Soon, the group was quite drunk.
Desmond checked the time and decided it was time to head back.
Even though Emily doted on him, Gabriel would notice if he stayed out too long.
He had already upset Gabriel by being sent back by Maximilian's people, so he didn't want to push his luck.
Just as he stood up, someone called out to him.
"Mr. Boleyn, where are you going? To the bathroom?" The person, clearly drunk, slurred their words.
Desmond was about to respond when his phone vibrated.
Assuming it was Clara again, he frowned.
"Yeah, just heading to the bathroom," he said casually, stepping out of the room and, on impulse, answering the call.
He didn't speak, waiting for Clara to say something first.
But the voice on the other end wasn't Clara's.
It was a familiar, chilling voice that made him physically uncomfortable.
"Did you fall asleep?"
Dione's voice was cold and mocking.
Desmond shuddered, the alcohol-induced haze in his mind clearing instantly.
He didn't respond, cautiously checking the caller ID.
It was indeed Dione's number.
His heart pounded uncontrollably.
His silence angered Dione, who shouted, "If you don't say something soon, I'm going to think you're a ghost!"
Desmond was terrified.
Leaning against the club's hallway wall, he bit his lip hard to steady his nerves.
Finally, he spoke, "Ms. Saunders, what can I do for you?"
He tried to keep his voice steady, reminding himself that he was in Luminous City and Dione couldn't touch him from Starhaven.
"Of course, I need something. I sent you the address. Get over here now."
Dione's rudeness was ingrained, especially towards someone like Desmond.
She had seen his missed call the day before but hadn't bothered to return it, waiting for him to contact her again.
But he hadn't, so when Violette mentioned Desmond while they were drinking, Dione decided to call him out.
Her tone was as commanding as ever, and Desmond felt humiliated.
But he quickly composed himself and chuckled softly, "Ms. Saunders, I'm not in Starhaven. If you need company, you'll have to find someone else."
Since Maximilian had sent him back to Luminous City, Gabriel likely wouldn't insist on his maintaining ties with the Saunders family.
So, he didn't need to be polite to Dione anymore.
Dione was momentarily stunned, not understanding what Desmond meant. "What? What did you say?"
Desmond, feeling emboldened, hung up on her.
He exhaled deeply after ending the call.
In Starhaven, Dione stared at her phone, cursing loudly, her furrowed brow showing her displeasure.
Violette leaned over, "What's wrong, Dione?"
"Desmond went back to Luminous City!" she said irritably.
Violette was equally surprised. "Back to Luminous City? Did we scare him off?"
Though it seemed exaggerated, their past pranks on Desmond made it plausible that he would flee home.
"Forget it, let's call someone else," Violette suggested, trying to comfort Dione. "I know others who can join us. Let's not bother with Desmond today."
Dione didn't object.
Violette quickly found someone else, who turned out to be much more entertaining, lifting their spirits considerably.
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