Liam besitated, suddenly understanding what Wren meant. He cautiously suggested, "Mr. Wien, your ei If you don't retum, explaining to Mr. Zachman will beluid Maybe you could wait until after the party to... "Enough Wren interrupted, his voice tight with barely restrained frustration. A star brewed in his eyes. "just d There's no point in having this eligagement party" party with Ms Jones is the day after.

Liam froze, shocked. He glanced at Wren Sering the emotions swirling in his eyes, Liam couldn't help but feel like he'd stumbled upon something deeply personal and hidden

Suddenly, so many things made sense-why Wren had always been so protective of Clara, even risking his life for her in the past. And yet, become so strained between them, all for Ivy

Liam quickly stopped his thoughts. This wasn't something he should get involved in Swallowing the rest of his

est of his advice, he nodded quiddy Understood handle.

"Also, "Wien continued, his tone cold and sharp Get Taylor to request - passenger lists at all the airline flights in the past two weeks I want to know immediately it there's any signol Clara" After her phone call with Katrina, Clara focused completely on berles

By the time she looked up, the sum had already dipped below the horizon, leaving just a faint streak of light across the distant hills. Acool breeze drifted in thoug The window, bringligg a slight chill.

e driveway, followed by her phone ringing

Suddenly, she heard the sound of a car pulling into the dri

It was a call from Ethan, reminding her about the welcome dinner the school fad organized for her that evening. She had completely forgotten it was Friday. Chickly changing into someth (presentable, she grabbed her bag and be

When she opened the gate, she saw Ethan's familiar white car parked in front. He didn't get out but solled down the window, smiling and waving bet øver This scene didn't go unnoticed by Alexander, who was standing on his balpotry, idly i que in the view.noveldrama

When he saw Clara getting into Ethan's car, bis eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of disdain crossing his face. A faint, mocking simile t before turned away.

Ethan drove them into town and stopped in front of a local restaurant. The owner greeted warmly and showed him where the group was seated, Ethan bedi inside, where linely chatter and laughter spilled out from the private room As Ethanpushed open the door, the noise abruptly died down, and all eyes tumed toward

"You're here," said Ryan Chase, one of the your

younger men. He stood up to greet the

"Yeah," Ethan replied casually, stepping aside so Clara could follow fum in

Clara offered a polite smile and waved at the group. "Hi, nice to meet everyone."

At the sound of her voice, Ryan, who had spoken earlier, glanced at her and troze. His expression shifted asas

seated beside him was a young woman, Nina Foster, who seemed momentarily stunned by Clara's eigers tightened slightly, digglig imo her pulm. amazement and

Her gare darted towa