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Lies, Love and Allure
Chapter 26 You Weren’t Like This Before
She was weighed down by eighteen years of nurturing gratitude, so she had allowed the Stephensons to take advantage of her all these years.
Yet, in the end, she was nothing more than a disposable tool to the Stephensons.
From this moment onwards, she would have no hesitation or reluctance toward the Stephensons.
Clarissa took the tissue Jerry offered and gently wiped away the tears on her face.
When she looked up again, her eyes were filled with determination. “Jerry, please help me!”
At that moment, Emily saw a glimmer in Clarissa’s eyes.
It was the long–lost brilliant glow that only belonged to Clarissa!
Jerry gazed at her with admiration shining in his eyes. “Excellent!”
At 4 PM, Chandler walked out of the conference room.
Neil dutifully reported the next item on the itinerary. “Mr. Moreno, we need to meet with Mr. Smith from Apex Group to discuss media relations for the new product launch.”
“Let Director Douglas handle it,” Chandler replied, glancing at his watch. “Neil, go get the car ready.”
“Get the car ready? Where are we going?” Neil asked, slightly puzzled.
“We’re going to pick up Clarissa. My Mom wants us to go back to Moreno Estate for dinner,” Chandler said, pausing for a moment. “Also, bring the gift box from the lounge.”
Neil hesitated for a moment, then bowed slightly. “Understood!”
When Chandler called and asked where she was, Clarissa was curled up on Emily’s couch.
She was badly shaken when she knew what Hugh had done to her.
She knew she shouldn’t be feeling down for the Stephensons. Still, reason and emotions were often the two most uncontrollable parts of a person.
Wiping her eyes, Clarissa replied calmly, “I’m at Northgate Residences.”
After a brief pause, Chandler responded with, “Alright.”
Neil stepped out of the lounge holding the gift box. He said respectfully, “Mr. Moreno, it’s time to go.”
“Give me the car keys. I can drive myself.”
Neil was puzzled by the instruction.
Seeing that he didn’t move, Chandler lost his patience. We are going back to the Moreno residence for dinner. Don’t you think you’re unnecessary on such an occasion?”
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Chapter 26 You Weren’t Like This Before
Neil replied cautiously, “But you’re in the middle of a divorce with Mrs. Moreno…”
“It’s just a couple’s quarrel, do you understand?”
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When the car pulled up to Northgate Residences, Clarissa hurried out of the building. She froze for a moment when she saw the man at the wheel.
“Where is Neil?”
Chandler slowly lifted his gaze. “You seem particularly attentive to my assistant!”
Clarissa was speechless at his reply.
Didn’t he have any idea why she was so concerned?
“He’s on leave.”
She had just seen Neil that morning. Did he think she was blind or just not thinking clearly?
It saddened Clarissa that he casually threw out dismissive remarks without even bothering to consider their validity.
Clarissa pressed her lips together, suddenly finding everything so meaningless.
The people she had once treasured dearly were truly adept at driving daggers into her heart.
They hurt her time and again, allowing her emotional wounds to fester and rot into putrid flesh.
To truly recover, she would have to completely excise these malignant growths that had settled in her heart.
When she opened the front passenger door, she saw a beautifully wrapped box on the seat.
Clarissa froze for a second, then moved to close the door and sit in the back instead.
“It’s for you,” Chandler’s cold voice came from the driver’s seat.
His tone wasn’t hostile, but to Clarissa, it always felt like he was handing out favors.
She stopped briefly but eventually held the box to her chest and settled in the front seat.
After fastening her seatbelt, she unwrapped the box, revealing what was inside.
The lid had a gold–stamped logo from a jewelry brand she was particularly fond of.
Clarissa’s eyelashes fluttered as she opened the lid.
When she saw the necklace inside the box, her eyes widened in surprise.
She had once mentioned to Chandler that she wanted this necklace as an anniversary gift.
Isn’t it absurd? In my five years of marriage, every single anniversary gift was something I had to ask for.
But even so, I still felt satisfied whenever I received those gifts from Chandler.
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Chapter 26 You Weren’t Like This Before
Looking back now, it all seems so ironic.
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You wanted this necklace before, didn’t you? I had Neil buy it when he was getting gifts for our clients.
My fifth wedding anniversary gift was something I had to ask for repeatedly, and it was only an add–on purchase while he was getting something else. How funny.
Clarissa smiled faintly and casually tossed the box into her bag. “Thanks.”
She decided to keep the necklace as a reminder of how she had once humbled herself in her love for Chandler.
Chandler turned his head to glance at her. Despite her words of thanks, her tone was devoid of real gratitude, and her expression was far from joyful.
Didn’t she say she liked this necklace and wanted it as an anniversary gift?
As expected, understanding a woman is like finding a needle in a haystack!
Chandler revved the engine and started driving.
To avoid interacting with him, Clarissa pretended to be asleep.
Approximately 20 minutes later, the car came to a stop. Without waiting for him to call her, she opened her eyes.
Glancing out at the scenery, her delicate brows furrowed.
“Why did you drive to the mall?”
Chandler looked her up and down. “Do you really want to see Dad and Mom in that outfit you’re wearing?”
Clarissa glanced at her outfit. She wore a white T–shirt and a black skirt, topped with a beige trench coat and Doc Martens on her feet, giving her a sweet yet cool vibe.
She saw nothing wrong with her outfit.
Chandler frowned and commented, “You used to dress differently.”
Clarissa stayed quiet.
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