Chapter 38 The Apology

Lillian glared at Brayden, who had turned against her in an instant, cursing him repeatedly in her mind.

"Oh?" Clara turned her gaze meaningfully towards Lillian, her eyes narrowing. "Mr. Patel, is what you said true? Did Ms. Baker specifically hire someone to ruin me?"

The barrage of questions made it almost impossible for Lillian to keep her smile intact.

The eyes of the surrounding crowd were now filled with disdain as they looked at her.

"It's her!"

Brayden pointed at Lillian, desperately trying to distance himself from the situation.

It was as if he was terrified Clara might retaliate against him later.

"There must be some misunderstanding. That wasn't my intention. I only brought Brayden here because he wanted to see Sovereign. I had no idea things would turn out like this."

Lillian sighed, speaking in a voice laden with grievance, as she played a recording she had prepared on her phone.

The recording captured Brayden at the door, denying any acquaintance with Sovereign.

His tone clearly suggested he was the one looking for trouble.

"You're lying!" Brayden shouted, his back drenched in cold sweat from anxiety, as he quickly turned to Clara. "Ms. Edwards, you have to believe me. I didn't mean any harm. I was just doing a paid job."

Clara glanced down and smirked slightly. "I have no interest in watching you two blame each other. Ms. Baker, if you did it, own up to it."

"I'm not interested in pursuing this matter. In fact, I should thank you for helping confirm my identity."

Lillian watched Clara's smile spread across her face. Her hands clenched into tight fists at her sides, nails digging into her palms without her feeling any pain.

"It was my fault, Ms. Edwards. Please don't be angry."

Lillian forced an awkward smile, ready to seize any opportunity to escape when a commotion erupted behind her.

Lauren's cheerful voice rang out from the crowd. "Ms. Edwards, I was busy talking to our partners earlier and couldn't come right away. No one bullied you, did they?"

With that single sentence, Lauren made her position clear.

Riley, trailing behind Lauren, hung her head, not daring to meet Lillian's eyes.

"No," Clara replied with a faint smile.

Since this was the Scott family banquet, Clara had to show some respect and let the matter drop.

"That's good then. We wouldn't want anyone with no sense causing trouble at Riley's farewell party. The Scott family certainly wouldn't welcome such behavior."

Lauren remarked, her gaze pointedly directed at Lillian, who was hesitating whether to leave or stay.

Lauren's words were clearly meant for Lillian.

Feeling her face flush with embarrassment, Lillian decided she couldn't stay any longer and turned to leave, only to be called back by Lauren.

"Ms. Baker, don't rush off. Stay a while longer. I have something to discuss with you. After all, you are my daughter's only good friend."

Lauren spoke with a warm smile, making it seem like her earlier support for Clara was just a misunderstanding.

However, both Lillian and Clara understood the underlying meaning of Lauren's words.

"Alright," Lillian replied, her face pale as she nodded and followed a waiter upstairs.

With the main player of the drama gone, the crowd dispersed, giving Lauren and Clara a chance to talk.

"Mrs. Scott, there's no need for more words. You surely understand whether Ms. Scott's actions align with her usual behavior. Since I've taken the payment, I won't spread this matter further," Clara said bluntly, preferring to handle issues directly.

Clara's straightforwardness caught Lauren off guard for a moment, but she quickly recovered and smiled sincerely. "Ms. Edwards, you truly are a sensible person. No wonder Mr. Andrew likes you so much. The Scott family was at fault here. If you need anything in the future, we will do our best to help."

This was Lauren's most sincere offer.

Clara understood that Lauren's willingness to make amends was likely due to Clara's influential status.

There was no need to push someone to the brink.

Clara wasn't one to provoke others without cause, so she gave Riley, who was nervously fidgeting behind Lauren, a cool glance.

"Ms. Scott, you should spend more time reading," she said before maneuvering her wheelchair away.

Once Clara was out of sight, Riley dared to vent her frustration. "Mom, did you hear what she said to me? Telling me to read more? She's basically calling me stupid!"

Lauren shot Riley a stern look. "Clara wasn't wrong. Sometimes I wonder if you're really my daughter with how clueless you are."

"Mom," Riley stomped her foot in frustration, pouting in discontent.

But then, a thought seemed to calm her down. "Mom, now that Clara has forgiven me, can I stay and not go abroad?"

"Not a chance," Lauren replied, well aware of her daughter's intentions. "Just keep out of trouble. I'm going upstairs to check on your good friend."

At the mention of Lillian, any further argument Riley had died on her lips.

The disappointment in her eyes was clear as she remembered the evidence Joshua had uncovered.

Riley wanted to follow Lauren but ultimately stayed behind.

Clara, having left the scene of the confrontation, made her way to the garden behind the banquet hall. The night view was beautiful, with many guests holding glasses and boasting about their accomplishments.

Bored by their stories, Clara had to pull up documents on her phone to stay awake.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming out here?"

Matthew's voice came from behind, and soon a coat was draped over her shoulders.

The warmth spread through her body, causing Clara to startle slightly and instinctively lock her phone. "No need," she replied coolly.

Clara's distant attitude made Matthew's recently relaxed expression tighten once again.

"Can't you be nicer to me?"

Matthew's frustrated tone made Clara chuckle involuntarily, instantly dispersing the tension that had been building up inside her.

"Matthew, don't you think you're being childish right now?"

Clara turned her head to look at him, her lips brushing against Matthew's cheek as she did so.

She realized with surprise that they were standing remarkably close, their breaths almost mingling.

Caught off guard by the depth in Matthew's eyes, Clara momentarily lost her composure.

When she regained her senses, she quickly leaned back, creating distance between them.

"Mr. Garcia, please keep your distance from me in the future," Clara said calmly, maneuvering her wheelchair aside to increase the space between them.

Matthew slowly stood up, a half-smirk playing at the corner of his lips as he took a step closer, narrowing the gap between them once again.

"Why?"

Matthew pressed on, closing in on Clara, trapping her within the circle of his arms. "Or are you afraid I might see something?"

His gaze drifted pointedly toward Clara's phone as he spoke.