Lies, Love and Allure
Chapter 8 Unrelated Party
Chandler’s face darkened.
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He realized that ever since Clarissa stopped catering to him, her sharp tongue had developed a knack for driving him mad,
Gillian was stunned, her eyes wide with disbelief. Clarissa had actually dared to stand up to Chandler!
She blinked, her fingers trembling with excitement.
“Sister, how can you talk to Chandler like that?” She asked in her usual soft, sweet tone, her words dripping with fake concern. “Chandler only married you to fulfill her grandma’s dying wish. He’s just too kind and filial.”
Emily rolled her eyes.
Well, so filial that he drove his grandmother to an early grave.
What a gem!
Clarissa’s fingers dug into her palm. I’ve said it before, I am not your sister!”
Of all the cruel twists in her life, discovering that Gillian was the real daughter of the Stephensons was the
worst
Gillian put on a wounded expression. I know you don’t like me, but Mom and Dad always said that regardless of blood ties, living together for over a decade creates a bond that can’t be erased. You’ll always be part of the Stephensons.”
If her parents didn’t still find Clarissa useful, did Gillian think she’d be so eager to call her “sister“?
The pain in her palm sharpened. Clarissa knew all too well why the Stephensons still kept her around.
And that was why divorcing Chandler wouldn’t be easy–the biggest obstacle was likely the Stephensons.
Just thinking about it gave Clarissa a headache.
She couldn’t ignore the fact that they had raised her for over ten years.
During those years, she had fully enjoyed the privileges and affection of being the eldest daughter of the Stephensons.
“Clarissa…” Emily reached over, gripping her wrist gently. She knew Clarissa too well.
The Stephensons were like a mountain pressing down on her, a burden she couldn’t escape.
Clarissa gave Emily a reassuring smile before turning back to Gillian. “You’re the real daughter of the Stephensons. I’m not.”
Gillian looked as if she’d been dealt a heavy blow, staggering as if about to faint. “Clarissa…”
Chandler quickly moved to steady her, his cold, fierce gaze directed at Clarissa. Clarissa, don’t push it!”
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Chapter 8 Unrelated Party
Just a dull, familiar numbness.
Between her and Gillian, Chandler would always side with Gillian.
His blatant favoritism.
This must be the special treatment reserved for someone’s long–lost first love.
Suddenly, it all felt pointless to Clarissa.
With a bitter smile, she turned to Emily. “Emily, please help with the bill.”
She had lost her appetite, and there was no point in continuing this pointless back–and–forth.
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As she stood to leave, she tossed one last remark over her shoulder. I know Mr. Moreno has the best legal team money can buy, but I’m more than happy to fight this in court.
“Between us, who do you think stands to lose more if things get ugly, Mr. Moreno? I’m sure you know better than I do.
“You’re a smart businessman. I’m sure you can make the right choice.”
After leaving the restaurant, Clarissa asked Emily to take her to the bank to sort out her card issues.
She couldn’t keep relying on Emily to support her.
At the bank, the client manager greeted her warmly, but his words were slippery, and filled with vague
excuses.
He kept hinting that it would be best if Clarissa resolved things directly with Chandler.
Clarissa was quickly growing tired of the runaround, her gaze turning colder with each word. “This is a card I applied for under my own name. Now, an unrelated third party can have it locked on a whim? Is this how secure your bank is?
“If this turns into a bigger issue, do you think anyone will trust your bank with their money?”
The manager’s smile faltered, his expression strained. “Ms. Stephenson, Mr. Moreno is your husband. He’s hardly an unrelated party. Why don’t you go home and discuss this with him?”
Clarissa was an important client, but Chandler’s wealth far outweighed that of any other customer.
The manager knew where his priorities lay.
Clarissa shot him a cold look and immediately called the police.
The manager’s face went pale, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.
Indeed, these were Chandler’s orders, but if the police got involved and the story spread, the bank’s reputation would be at serious risk.
Panicking, the manager grabbed Clarissa’s hand. His smile had vanished. “Ms. Stephenson, let’s not escalate this. You understand our nosition. We really can’t afford to po against Mr. Moreno!”
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Chapter 8 Unrelated Party
Clarissa pulled her hand away.
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The manager was desperate as he gritted his teeth. “How about we issue you a new card? That’s the best we can do. We just can’t reactivate the old one.”
Clarissa raised an eyebrow, realizing this was the best compromise she could get from the bank.
After leaving the bank, Clarissa felt deflated, leaning against Emily with a weary expression.
Was she really trapped in Chandler’s grip, unable to escape?
“Clarissa…”
Emily started to say something comforting, but Clarissa’s phone rang.
Her face immediately fell when she saw the caller ID.
Emily could see the exhaustion in her eyes. “If you don’t want to answer, just don’t.”
Ever since Clarissa married Chandler, nine out of ten calls from the Stephensons were about money.
Honestly, Emily thought Clarissa had repaid her debt to the Stephensons over the past five years.
