Chapter 73 Last time
CHAPTER 73
Last time.
Clara drove around for a while, her hands steady on the wheel, her thoughts anything but the conversation replayed itself in fragments, his frustration, his bitterness, the way he spoke about Leo, about being second, about wanting more. And somewhere in all of that she saw an opportunity.
By the time she arrived at her father’s residence, her mind was already made up. The house stood tall and imposing, its structure reflecting power, control, and legacy. It wasn’t just a home, it was a statement. Every corner carried the weight of authority, and every decision made within those walls had consequences.
Clara stepped inside without hesitation. The staff greeted her quietly, accustomed to her presence, her confidence, her unpredictability. She didn’t stop to exchange pleasantries. She had one destination in mind.
Her father’s study. The door was slightly ajar, a soft glow of light spilling into the hallway. Inside, her father sat behind his desk, reviewing documents with the kind of focus that rarely broke. He didn’t look up immediately when she entered.
“Back already?” he asked, his tone neutral.
Clara closed the door behind her, the sound soft but deliberate. “We need to talk.”
That got his attention. He looked up slowly, his sharp eyes settling on her face. He studied her for a moment, taking in her expression, her posture. “This sounds serious,” he said, leaning back slightly in his chair.
“It is.”
He gestured lightly toward the chair across from
him. “Then sit.”
Clara didn’t argue. She walked forward and sat down, crossing her legs with controlled ease. For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Her father waited because he knew she would get to the point.
“I want you to organize a party,” Clara said.
That wasn’t what he expected.
His brows lifted slightly, though his expression remained composed. “A party?” he repeated.
“Yes.”
He leaned back further, folding his arms. “And
why exactly do you need me for that? You’ve organized plenty of your own.”
“This one is different,” she replied.
“How?”
Clara held his gaze. “I want it to be big,” she said. “Important. The kind of event people don’t ignore.”
He studied her again, more carefully this time. “And?” he prompted.
She didn’t hesitate. “I want Leo there.”
The moment the name left her lips, the atmosphere shifted. Her father’s expression hardened almost instantly. “No.” The response was immediate.
Clara didn’t react outwardly, but she had expected it. “You didn’t even think about it,” she pointed out.
“I don’t need to,” he replied. “You’ve already said enough.”
She leaned forward slightly. “It’s just a party.”
“It’s never just anything when it comes to him,” he countered.
Clara exhaled quietly, her fingers tapping lightly against her knee. “You’re overthinking it,” she said.
“No,” he corrected. “I’m understanding it.”
His tone carried weight now. “You’ve come to me before about Leo,” he continued. “And every time, it leads to something unnecessary.”
Clara’s expression tightened slightly. “This isn’t like before.”
“That’s what you said last time,” he replied.
A brief silence followed. Clara looked away for a second, then back at him, her eyes more focused now.
“This is different,” she insisted again. “I need this.”
Her father tilted his head slightly, studying her.
“Need?” he repeated. “That’s a strong word.”
She didn’t back down.
“It is.”
He let out a slow breath, his gaze sharpening.
“Explain.”
Clara hesitated not because she didn’t have a reason but because she couldn’t give him the full truth. Not about Trent or the plan or what she intended to do. So she chose something else.
“It’s about reputation,” she said. “Connections. Position.”
Her father didn’t look convinced. “You already have those,” he said.
“Not in the way I want,” she replied quickly.
He watched her closely, sensing the shift in her tone. “You’re pushing,” he said.
“Because it matters,” she answered.
Her father leaned forward slightly, resting his hands on the desk. “And Leo?” he asked. “Where does he fit into all of this?”
Clara held his gaze. “He needs to be there.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only one you’re getting,” she replied.
That made his expression harden further. “Then my answer is still no.”
Clara’s patience thinned. “You’re being unreasonable.”
“And you’re being persistent,” he shot back.
She stood up suddenly, the movement sharp but controlled.“Why are you so against this?” she asked. “It’s one event.”
“It’s not about the event,” he said firmly. “It’s about you.”
She went quiet quickly.“What about me?” she asked.
He stood as well now, his presence commanding. “You don’t let things go,” he said. “Especially when it comes to him.”
Clara’s expression flickered. “You think this is personal,” she said.
“I know it is.”
She shook her head. “You’re wrong.”
“Am I?” he challenged.
The tension between them grew. Clara turned away briefly, running a hand through her hair before facing him again.
“I’m asking you for something simple,” she said, her voice quieter now. “And you’re turning it into something else.”
“Because I don’t trust your intentions,” he replied.
That hit harder than she expected. For a moment, she didn’t respond. “Please,” she said..
“I need this dad,” she repeated, her voice lower now, more controlled, but still carrying that same urgency.
He studied her carefully. “You’re not telling me everything,” he said.
“I don’t need to,” she replied.
“That’s not how this works.”
“It is this time.”
Clara stepped closer to the desk, her gaze steady, unwavering. “I won’t ask for anything else,” she said. “Just this.”
He didn’t respond immediately. He looked at her
trying to understand what was driving this, trying to decide whether to trust her.
“You’re putting me in a difficult position,” he said finally.
Clara didn’t flinch. “I know.”
“And you’re still asking.”
“Yes.”
He kept quiet for a while. “You’re stubborn,” he said.
A faint, almost relieved smile touched Clara’s lips. “I learned from you.”
He shook his head slightly, though the edge in his expression had softened just a fraction.
“This is the last time,” he said. “Do you understand me?”
Clara nodded immediately. “I do.”
“And if this turns into something else…..”
“It won’t,” she cut in.
He gave her a long look. But eventually he nodded.
“Fine.”
The single word was enough. Clara’s posture relaxed slightly, though she didn’t let her satisfaction show too clearly. “Thank you,” she said.
Her father sat back down, picking up his documents again, though his focus wasn’t fully there anymore.
“I’ll have the arrangements started tomorrow,” he added. “But I expect this to stay exactly as you described.”
“It will,” Clara replied.