Chapter 292 Clara Visits
The receptionist's voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.
But the woman in front of her only got more arrogant, slamming her bag on the desk and speaking with a cold, haughty tone.
"Do you know who I am? I'm with the Percy Group. Do I need an appointment to see Mr. Richardson? You better know your place and let me up right now!"
The receptionist closed her eyes briefly, her expression strained, but she kept her professional demeanor.
"Even if the President himself came, he would need an appointment. Miss, if you don't leave, I'll have to call security."
"I told you, I'm with the Percy Group. You're still kicking me out? Mr. Richardson will definitely want to see me! Let me in!"
Seeing that her threats weren't working, Clara grabbed her bag and tried to force her way through.
She was used to stopping others from entering the Percy Group, but now that she was the one being stopped, she realized how frustrating it was.
But no matter how fast she moved, she couldn't outrun security. Soon, she was being dragged out by her arms.
Clara continued to shout, "Get off me! Don't touch me, you idiots. If Mr. Richardson finds out how you're treating guests, you'll all be fired!"
The receptionist was about to retort when Billy stepped out from the crowd, his voice cold.
"Really? I don't recall inviting you as a guest."
Clara froze, her eyes landing on him, momentarily at a loss for words.
The security and receptionist also paused, greeting Billy, "Mr. Richardson!"
The receptionist quickly explained, worried about a misunderstanding.
"Mr. Richardson, this lady tried to force her way in without an appointment. We were just following protocol."
Billy nodded slightly. He had seen the whole scene unfold and already had a poor impression of the Percy Group. Sending someone like Clara only made it worse.
Just as he was about to order Clara to be thrown out, she quickly spoke up, "Mr. Richardson, I'm not here on behalf of the Percy Group. I'm here personally to see you. I only said that to get past these people."
She spoke with such frankness, showing no remorse for her deceit.
Chloe, who had disliked Clara from the start, frowned and said, "Miss, the Richardson Group has rules too. Do you think breaking them is something to be proud of?"
"Mind your own business. I'm talking to Mr. Richardson."
Clara snapped back rudely, then leaned closer to Billy and whispered so only he could hear, "Even if you don't want to see me, you should at least think about my sister."
Clara straightened up, waiting for Billy's reaction.
They had met a few times before, and Billy knew she was Diana's half-sister, whom Diana didn't like.
But even so, Billy couldn't ignore her words and found himself conflicted.
Chloe, unaware of the relationships involved, tugged on Billy's sleeve and suggested, "Let's just have her thrown out and go shopping."
Hearing this, Clara immediately raised her voice, "Don't you want to know anything about her?"
All eyes turned to Billy. Though they didn't know why Clara was here, it was clear that Billy cared about the information she had.
His previously firm resolve wavered.
After a moment, Billy finally said, "Alright, you got ten minutes."
Clara let out a quiet sigh of relief. She had gambled on Billy's feelings for Diana and won, though she couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.
"Thanks, I won't take up too much of your time."
They moved to a reception room on the first floor. Since Chloe knew about the relationship between Diana and Billy, he didn't ask her to leave.
The three of them sat on the sofa, and Clara raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Isn't this lady leaving?"
"I'm his fiancée. Why should I?" Chloe's eyes scanned Clara with disdain.
Clara's expression turned strange, her voice almost cracking, "You're getting married?"
Billy liked Diana, so how could he be engaged to this woman? Did this mean their plan had failed?
But Billy's expression remained unchanged as he said calmly, "That's none of your business. Say what you need to say. My time is valuable."
Discussing another woman in front of his fiancée was unheard of.
Clara found it odd but continued, "She's being held at the Percy Mansion and can't get out. She wants to see you and hopes you can help her."
Billy's gaze, which had been elsewhere, snapped back to Clara. He didn't speak, just stared at her, making her uneasy.
Clara swallowed and continued, "I need money. If you're willing to pay, I can be your intermediary and pass messages. I have people inside the Percy Mansion."
Doing things for free seemed too suspicious, so she came up with this excuse to try to get by.
But Billy suddenly laughed coldly, "I don't need you. Get out."
Clara was taken aback by his harsh attitude and snapped, "What do you mean by that? I'm trying to help you, and this is how you treat me?"
Didn't he like Diana? Was his coldness because of his fiancée? But if that were the case, why did he agree to see her?
Clara couldn't understand and wanted to say more.
Chloe grabbed her hand and threw it aside, scoffing, "You're a persistent fool. Didn't you hear him? If you keep this up, I'll call security."
Her tone had a hint of glee, as if she were enjoying the situation.
Billy's disinterest in Diana suggested his feelings had changed. Could it be that her efforts were finally paying off?
Under Chloe's threatening gaze, Clara gritted her teeth but, feeling the pressure, clenched her fists and spat out, "You'll regret this."
She grabbed her bag and left, almost as if she were fleeing.
Chloe laughed, smugly saying, "That was amusing. She wasted all that time for nothing."
But Billy, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, "She wasn't entirely lying. I just didn't want to hear it."
Diana was indeed being held by Charles, but she would never want to see him or ask for his help.
Billy knew Diana well. She was smart and would use any resource to achieve her goals.
But she was also sentimental. The Richardson Group couldn't compete with the Percy Group.
That was why she didn't want to drag Billy into it, cutting ties early to let him live his life.
Sometimes, Billy wished Diana could be more selfish and use him, so their relationship could progress.
Chloe, puzzled, asked, "How do you know she was half-lying? What if Diana really wants to see you?"
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