Chapter 40: I’ve Come for You

By the time Clara arrived home, the sky had already grown dark.

She pushed open the door to find the living room brightly lit. Her older brother, Julian, was at the foyer changing his shoes, car keys in hand, looking like he was just about to head out.

"Julian, are you going somewhere?"

Clara asked casually as she took off her coat.

Julian looked up at her, a smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, Silas invited me out for some racing, drinks, and a few rounds of pool. How about it? Want to come along? You’ve been cooped up at home lately. It’s a good chance to relax."

Clara hesitated for a moment.

She did feel as though she had been suppressed for too long—the pressure of the dance troupe and the complicated entanglement with Alistair had left her utterly exhausted.

Perhaps going out to unwind tonight really was a good choice.

She nodded and said softly, "Sure, I'll go with you."

Julian smiled and reached out to ruffle her hair. "Then hurry up and change. I'll wait for you downstairs."

Clara went back to her room and changed into a simple black dress, throwing a light jacket over her shoulders.

She stood before the mirror, looking at her reflection, and let out a soft sigh.

After heading downstairs, Julian was already waiting in the car.

As the car started, Clara leaned back against the seat and gazed out the window. The city nightscape sped past, neon lights flickering like a silent film. Her heart gradually began to ease, though her thoughts remained in disarray.

As the car left the city center and headed toward the outskirts, Clara asked with a hint of confusion, "Julian, where exactly are we going?"

Julian replied in a relaxed tone, "Alistair has a villa in the suburbs. The environment is nice; it's perfect for unwinding."

Clara nodded and didn't press further.

A faint sense of unease stirred in her heart, but she quickly pushed it down. She told herself that she was only there to relax tonight and shouldn't overthink things.

About half an hour later, the car pulled up in front of a luxurious villa.

The house was surrounded by a lush forest, making it feel exceptionally secluded and quiet.

Stepping out of the car, Clara looked up at the villa’s exterior, silently admiring Alistair’s taste.

Walking inside, Clara found that a fair number of people had already gathered—mostly friends of Julian and Silas. Everyone was clustered in small groups, drinking and chatting in a light, pleasant atmosphere.

Seeing Julian and Clara enter, Silas immediately came over to greet them with a smile. "Julian, Clara, you’re here."

Julian nodded and patted Silas on the shoulder. "Anything fun planned for tonight?"

Silas smiled and pointed toward the back garden. "The track is ready; we can go for a few laps later. But before that, have a drink and relax."

Clara followed behind Julian, glancing around. She noticed that Alistair was nowhere to be seen.

She breathed a sigh of relief, secretly glad for her choice tonight. She didn't want to see Alistair at this moment, especially before she had fully processed her own emotions.

Silas handed Clara a glass of red wine. "Clara, long time no see. How have you been lately?"

Clara took the glass and forced a small smile. "I'm alright. Just a bit tired."

Silas nodded, his tone gentle. "Then just relax and don't think too much tonight."

Clara nodded and took a sip of the wine. The liquid slid down her throat, bringing a hint of warmth. She sat between Julian and Silas, listening to them talk, and her heart finally began to settle.

However, she had no idea that at that very moment, Alistair Vance was sitting on his sofa at home, staring at his phone screen with a deep frown.

He had just seen a photo on his social feed. In the picture, Clara was sitting between Silas and Julian, holding a glass of red wine with a faint smile on her face.

Alistair’s mood turned complex in an instant.

He stood up, grabbed his car keys, and walked straight out the door.

In the darkness of the night, his car sped toward the suburban villa, his heart filled with agitation and unease.

Inside the villa, Clara was still immersed in the relaxed atmosphere, completely unaware of the approaching storm.

Julian glanced at her and asked with a smile, "What’s wrong? In a bad mood?"

Clara shook her head and managed a smile. "No, just a little tired."

Silas raised his glass and lightly clinked it against hers. "If you're tired, then just unwind. Don't think about anything else tonight."

Clara nodded and took another sip of wine, the warmth spreading through her. She looked around the room again at the groups of friends chatting happily. She took a deep breath, trying to let go of her tension.

However, just as she set her glass down, her phone vibrated.

She looked down and saw a message from Alistair.

"Where are you?"

Clara’s heart gave a violent jolt. Her fingers hovered over the screen for a moment before she finally replied: "Resting at home."

After sending the message, she looked up guiltily, only to meet Julian’s knowing gaze.

Julian arched an eyebrow and whispered, "Whose message was that? You look so nervous."

Clara shook her head, feigning a casual tone. "Nothing. Just a friend asking what I'm doing."

Julian didn't press her further, but he offered a meaningful smile and turned back to talk to Silas.

Meanwhile, Alistair leaned against his motorcycle, staring at the phone screen, his brow furrowed tight.

His mood soured instantly.

Clara had clearly promised him she would try to start something new with him, yet in the blink of an eye, she was at the racing villa, and she had lied to him, saying she was at home.

A surge of inexplicable irritation rose in Alistair’s heart.

He floored the gas, his car tearing through the night toward the suburban villa. His mind was a mess, dominated by images of Clara.

Inside the villa, Clara was drinking in silence, totally unaware of Alistair’s arrival.

It wasn't until the villa’s front doors were flung open and a gust of cold wind rushed in that she instinctively looked up—straight into Alistair’s deep, frigid eyes.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she nearly dropped her wine glass.

She hadn't expected him to show up here so suddenly, let alone look at her with such an expression.

Alistair walked straight to her, his voice low and freezing: "Didn't you say you were resting at home?"

Clara’s face went pale instantly. She opened her mouth, but the words wouldn't come.

"I... I... What are you doing here?"

Alistair’s gaze remained pinned on her, his voice carrying a trace of suppressed fury:

"I’ve come for you."