Chapter 295: 295

The tension didn’t ease in the following days. Leon remained close, discreet but always attentive. His presence was meant to be reassuring, but it only served as a constant reminder that something was wrong.

I tried to go about my daily life as if nothing had changed—smiling at the right moments, fulfilling my obligations, acting like everything was fine. But inside, my heart pounded with an anxiety that wouldn’t go away. I could feel the weight of something looming over me, something inevitable.

Victor was different, too. More distant in some ways, yet more protective in others. He was quieter, his usual sharp remarks replaced by pensive silences. His gaze, always intense, had become almost unreadable.

I knew he was planning something. Every time I caught him lost in thought, his jaw clenched, his hands gripping his phone a little too tightly, I knew his mind was working through a strategy. But whenever I asked, his response was always the same.

"Trust me."

I did trust him. But I hated being kept in the dark.

It was only at the end of the week that he finally called me into his office.

The room was dimly lit, the scent of his cologne mingling with the faint smell of whiskey. He was on the phone when I entered, his voice low, measured. Whatever the conversation was about, it was serious.

When he finally hung up, he turned to me, his expression unreadable.

"I know what she wants," he said, crossing his arms over his chest.

A chill ran down my spine. "And what is it?"

"She wants to destroy me. But to do that, she needs to take you down too."

My throat went dry. "Why? I’m not an important piece in this game."

Victor let out a dark chuckle. "You’re more important than you think, Clara. She knows that if she hurts you, she hurts me too."

The weight of his words settled over me.

"So what do we do?"

He leaned forward, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. "We turn the tables."

The following evening, Victor hosted a charity gala. It was an elegant event, filled with influential figures from the business world, politicians, and celebrities. But despite the glamorous setting, I knew this wasn’t just about charity.

Victor wanted to send a message.

He made sure I was by his side, not just as his date, but as someone essential to his life.

"Stay close to me tonight," he murmured in my ear as we entered the grand ballroom, his hand resting possessively on my waist.

I could feel the weight of the gazes upon us—some filled with admiration, others with envy. The air was thick with whispers, with speculation.

And then, she appeared.

The woman who had been haunting my life for the past few weeks.

Dressed in a stunning red gown, her smile was practiced, her confidence unshaken. She moved through the room like she owned it, her presence commanding attention.

"Clara," she greeted me, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "So wonderful to see you here."

Victor’s grip on my waist tightened. "You’re at my event, sweetheart. You don’t get to decide who should or shouldn’t be here."

She let out a soft laugh, ignoring his hostility. "Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it. I just wanted to say hello to Clara. It’s not every day one meets someone so… resilient."

I met her gaze head-on. "If you have something to say, say it. No games."

Her smile didn’t falter. "I only wanted to remind you that not every fairy tale has a happy ending."

Victor stepped forward, his presence radiating dominance. "And you should remember that not every villain gets away unscathed."

Her expression remained impassive, but I saw the flicker of irritation in her eyes.

"We’ll see," she said before turning on her heel and disappearing into the crowd.

I let out a slow breath. "This isn’t going to end anytime soon, is it?"

Victor pulled me closer, his lips brushing against my temple. "It will, Clara. But only when I decide. And I promise you, in the end, we will win."

The rest of the night passed in a blur of polite conversations, forced smiles, and stolen glances between Victor and me. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.

After the event ended, Victor led me to a private lounge, away from prying eyes.

He poured two glasses of wine, handing me one before settling onto the couch. His gaze never left me.

"Do you trust me, Clara?" he asked suddenly.

I hesitated for a moment. "Yes. But I don’t like secrets."

He sighed, swirling the wine in his glass. "I know. But some things need to be handled in the shadows. And I need you to let me do this my way."

A storm raged inside me. "Victor, I don’t want to be a spectator in my own life. If she’s coming after me, I need to know everything."

He studied me for a long moment before finally nodding. "Alright. Tomorrow, I’ll tell you everything. But promise me you won’t do anything reckless."

I hesitated. "I’ll try."

He arched an eyebrow. "That’s not a promise."

I sighed, placing my glass down and moving closer to him. "Victor, I trust you. But I also need to protect myself."

His fingers brushed against my cheek, his expression dark and unreadable. "I won’t let anything happen to you, Clara. You’re mine. And I protect what’s mine."

A shiver ran down my spine at the intensity in his voice.

This battle was far from over. But as long as we stood together, I knew we had a chance.

And no matter what, I wouldn’t go down without a fight.