Chapter 10: Touch Me Again, and I'll Break You!

Clara felt a chill run down her spine, a cold shiver spreading across her back.

As she looked at Alistair’s smile—which didn't reach his eyes—a surge of panic rose within her.

Could someone like Alistair Vance really be fooled by her clumsy excuses?

"What are you doing? Hurry up!"

Julian’s voice drifted from ahead. Clara snapped back to reality and jogged to catch up with him.

Alistair followed leisurely behind them, his hands tucked into his pockets.

The seventh floor housed the billiard hall. By the time they arrived, quite a few people were already there.

To Clara, it felt less like a pool hall and more like a miniature, upscale bar.

"You’re here?"

Silas Knight held a cue in his hand. He had a penchant for formal wear; even in this setting, he wore a dark green casual suit. His shirt featured a deep V-neck, leaving his pale chest clearly visible.

"You break this round."

Julian naturally took the cue, leaning over the table with practiced ease. With one sharp strike, the balls scattered, and a red ball slid slowly into the pocket.

"The little sister is here too." Silas finally noticed Clara. She was wearing a sporty dress today. "This is our private area. Have a seat and see which of your three brothers is the best player."

Silas was slightly nearsighted, but he only wore glasses for work. He had eyes that seemed to gaze at everyone with deep affection. Clara suddenly froze.

This man... he looked so familiar.

But before she could place him, a tall silhouette blocked her view.

Alistair stepped between them, picking up a cue and looking at Silas with a half-smile.

"Weren't we playing?"

Silas shot him a bewildered look but said nothing, turning back to resume the game with Julian.

Clara clearly saw Silas give Julian’s... backside a playful pat.

"Someone will bring drinks later. Don't touch the alcohol." Alistair warned.

Clara nodded obediently and sat on a nearby single sofa.

Looking up, she noticed gazes coming from various directions. Some were calculating; others were filled with jealousy.

When the game ended, Silas was the victor.

"I need to use the restroom," Clara said softly.

Julian nodded. "Go ahead. Don't talk to strangers."

Clara nodded and headed out.

As she left the restroom and prepared to return to the hall, she found the corridor lights were dim and ambiguous. The faint sound of billiard balls clacking and people laughing echoed in the distance.

After a few steps, she saw a man stumbling toward her.

His eyes were glazed and his steps unsteady; he was clearly intoxicated.

Clara instinctively stepped aside to avoid him.

But the man was persistent. Upon seeing Clara, his eyes lit up. A lewd smirk crossed his face as he blocked her path.

"Well, look at this... such a pretty girl, all alone here?"

The man reached out, attempting to touch Clara’s face.

Clara’s expression darkened. A flash of ruthlessness flickered in her normally clear eyes as she stepped back sharply, dodging his hand.

"Move."

Clara’s voice was icy, devoid of any warmth.

The man had no intention of letting her go. Instead, he leaned in closer, muttering vile, slurred words.

He reached out again, trying to grab Clara’s arm.

Clara’s patience snapped. Her eyes turned cold, and a mocking smile touched her lips.

The moment the man’s hand was about to touch her, she struck. She seized his wrist with lightning speed and gave it a violent twist.

The man let out a pathetic scream, his face contorting in agony.

Clara’s grip was incredibly strong. Holding his wrist in a vice-like lock, she warned in a low, dangerous hiss: "Touch me again, and I'll break your hand."

Cold sweat poured down the man’s face. He never expected this seemingly fragile girl to possess such terrifying strength.

He tried to break free, but Clara’s hand was like an iron clamp.

"Please... please let me go. I was wrong..."

The man’s voice broke into a sob as he began to beg.

Clara watched his suffering without a shred of mercy. She gave his wrist one final, agonizing twist before releasing him.

"Get out," she spat coldly.

Climbing over his own feet, the man clutched his broken wrist and scrambled away, disappearing into the shadows at the end of the corridor.

Clara straightened her dress and took a deep breath. Her face smoothed back into its sweet, fragile mask, as if the person with the lethal skills and ruthless gaze from a moment ago had never existed.

She turned and walked back into the billiard hall. The lively atmosphere hit her the moment she pushed the doors open.

Julian and Silas were still playing, while Alistair sat to the side with a bottle of mineral water, his eyes focused on the two at the table.

"What took you so long?" Julian asked casually.

"Just got held up by something."

Clara answered with a smile, her tone natural and effortless, showing no sign of the encounter.

Alistair looked up at her. He keenly sensed a lingering trace of coldness in her eyes, and he arched an inquisitive eyebrow.

Clara walked over and sat back down on the sofa, watching the game.

Silas was preparing for a shot, leaning over the table with intense focus.

Looking at his profile, Clara felt that sense of familiarity again, yet she still couldn't remember where they had met.

"Clara, do you know how to play pool?"

After finishing his shot, Silas suddenly turned to ask her.

Clara shook her head with a smile. "Not really."

"Want me to teach you? It’s quite simple," Silas offered warmly.

Clara was about to decline when Alistair spoke up: "She doesn't want to learn. Don't force her."

Silas glanced at Alistair and arched an eyebrow but didn't push further.

Watching the interaction, Julian laughed. "Alright, alright. Let's get back to the game."

For the next while, Clara sat quietly, watching them play.

Her thoughts, however, drifted back to the incident in the corridor. She knew her actions were a bit risky, but she loathed being touched by strangers.

As she was thinking, Julian’s phone rang. He checked the screen, and his expression shifted slightly.

"What is it?" Clara asked, noticing the change.

"An emergency at the office. I have to go handle it," Julian said, handing his cue to Silas. "You guys keep playing. I’ll be back once I'm done."

"Sure, go ahead. Be safe," Silas said, taking the cue.

Julian nodded, then looked at Alistair. "Vance, keep an eye on Clara for me."

Alistair gave a slight nod. "Don't worry."

After Julian left, the atmosphere in the hall shifted subtly.

Silas looked at Alistair and Clara, then smiled. "In that case, I'll find someone else to play a few rounds with me. You two just relax for a bit."