Lies, Love and Allure
+5 Pearls.
Chapter 19 Caught in His Grip
This scumbag! He’s really pushing his luck!
Clarissa’s frustration was obvious, her furrowed brow catching Chandler’s attention more than it should.
have.
After a moment, he spoke calmly. “You know my parents, and especially my grandfather, are very fond of you. They’ll never accept us getting divorced.
“So, over the next three months while I settle my finances, you’ll need to make them believe that we’re truly done, that there’s no saving our marriage.
“After that, we’ll get the divorce.
“And as compensation for your cooperation, I’ll take care of the Stephensons‘ issues for you and give you half of my assets.
Clarissa froze, her irritation quickly replaced by shock.
Half of Chandler’s wealth.
She didn’t know the exact amount, but considering he’d topped the Opulence World Records for two years straight, it had to be an astronomical figure.
And he was willing to give her half?!
Clarissa was ashamed to admit it, but she was tempted.
She bit her lip. She’d been fully prepared for a messy, all–out battle with him.
Instead, he’d just handed her a sweet deal.
Who could resist that?
I… I need to think about it,” she finally said, unable to outright reject him.
Honestly, just the promise of fixing the Stephensons‘ problems was enough to make her seriously consider iL
“Fine, but don’t take too long
“Three days.”
“Deal.”
“Then have Neil come over and put my fingerprint back in the door!” Clarissa demanded, pushing her luck a little.
Chandler lifted his eyes to hers, his expression as calmas ever. “Neil’s still on vacation.”
Clarissa said nothing, feeling more than a little duped.
Right, sure, vacation.
173
Thu, Nov 14
Chapter 19 Caught in His Grip
“Then take me to Emily’s place,” she sighed, realizing she wasn’t going to win this one.
“Alright.”
On the drive to Emily’s, Clarissa still felt like she was in a dream.
Three months. After five long years, three months felt like nothing.
盘 63%痛
+5 Pearts
If she’d managed to survive five years of this marriage, surely she could endure the final three months.
Besides, getting Chandler to agree to the divorce at all was a huge win.
What if she missed this chance, and he decided to drag things out forever just to spite her?
And honestly, this deal was clearly in her favor.
It’d be foolish not to take it.
So, why not just say yes?
Maybe it was because she’d finally settled the issue with Chandler, but Clarissa slept better than she had in a long time.
When she woke up, everything seemed brighter–she even felt like the air was sweeter.
After getting washed up, she slipped into her slippers and headed downstairs. The housekeeper was bu cleaning.
Seeing Clarissa, she greeted her, “Good morning, Ms. Stephenson. Breakfast is ready. Would you like to eat now or wait for Ms. Wood to join you?*
“Emily’s not up yet?” Clarissa glanced around but didn’t see any sign of her.
The housekeeper nodded. “Yes, Ms. Wood is still asleep
“What time did she come home last night?” Clarissa asked.
“About two in the morning, the housekeeper replied.
How late did she drink last night?
Clarissa frowned. “Did you make her some hangover tea?
“We did, but Ms. Wood said it smelled bad and refused to drink it, the housekeeper said with a helpless look.
Clarissa wasn’t surprised. She knew how picky Emily could be.
If she didn’t like the taste or smell of something, she wouldn’t touch it–even if it was hidden in her favorite dish.
Luckily for Emily, she was born into a wealthy family; otherwise, her picky eating habits might’ve left her starving.
“Have the kitchen make another run. I’ll make it të hër qaself‘ Clarisca said, knowing that Emily wouldl
OR
11:42 Thu, Nov 14 (B
Chapter 19 Caught in His Grip
listen to her.
+5 Pearls
The housekeeper immediately put down her cleaning rg. “The kitchen already prepared a fresh cup this. morning. I’ll get it for you right away.”
A moment later, the housekeeper returned with a cup of hangover tea, handing it to Clarissa with a respectful smile.
“Only Ms. Stephenson could ever get Ms. Wood to actually drink it.”
Emily was the youngest in the Woods family and, as the only daughter, had always been spoiled.
Even after she insisted on moving out as an adult, her family couldn’t resist her pleading and allowed it.
They even sent over the household staff from the main estate to take care of her.
These servants were fiercely loyal to the Woods, so they doted on Emily
By extension, they were just as attentive to Clarissa, Emily’s best friend.
“Someone’s gotta keep her in line, Clarissa said with a playful wink as she took the tray and headed
upstairs.
But as she took her first step, she tripped.
The housekeeper’s startled gasp echoed in her ears, and Clarissa felt herself lurch forward, completely losing her balance.
Just as she was about to face–plant into the ground, a pair of strong hands caught her around the waist, pulling her back upright.
When she looked up, her eyes met a pair of sharp, dark ones.
A smile immediately lit up her face. “Jerry!”
Emily might have feared nothing, but the one person she did fear was her uncle, Jerry.
In Oxbreach, the fifth master of the Woods had quite the reputation. Most of the younger generation trembled in his presence.
But Clarissa was one of the few exceptions.
To her, Jerry had always seemed like a polite, gentle man.
However, to Emily–and most people in their social circle–Jerry was a charming devil, the kind of mant who could smile while swallowing you whole.
Clarissa had once overheard someone describe him in the most exaggerated way: “The more brightly Jerry smiles, the harder he’s about to strike
