Clara tomed to Ethan and thanked him softly.

As Ethan was about to respond, his phone buzzed with a familiar ringtone. He quickly excused himself, taking his phone as he walked out to answer the call.

Seizing the moment, Ryan leaned closer to Ciara and held up his phone, displaying a WhatsApp Qt code. "Ms. Salford, let's exchange contacts. If you ever need anything, you can always contact me

Clara didn't see any reason to decline. She would be worlding here for a long time and wanted to maintain good relationships with her colleagues. Taking out her phone, she exchanged contacts with everyone at the table

By the time they'd finished adding each other, Ethan retumed. His usual calm demeanor was gone, replaced with an uncharacteristic tension.

"Sorry. Something urgent came up at home. I need to leave right away," Ethan said as he grabbed his car keys from the table. He hesitated briefly before glancing at Clara. "Ms. Salford, are you going to be okay getting home?" Stone. Go handle your business. I'll be line."

clara quicidy reassured him, "Don't worry about me, Mr. Sto

"I can give her a ride," Ryan chimed in immediately, eager to step in. "It's no trouble at all,

Not wanting to delay Ethan further, Clara nodded in agreement,

Ethan gave her one last look before rushing out.

Half an hour later, the dinner wrapped up, and people began leaving in small groups.

Ryan approached Clara with a friendly smile. "Are you ready? I'll drive you home,"

The walk back would have taken over an hour, so Clara hesitated briefly before nodding "Thank you, Mr. Chase Lappreciate it."

"No need to be so formal, Ryan said warmly. "We're colleagues now, and I wouldn't teel right letting you walk home alone at this hour."noveldrama

Standing off to the side, Nina watched the exchange with growing frustration. She had followed Ryan here, even taken on this teaching position in such a remote apea, all because of him. Yet, he'd never treated her with the care and attention he was now lavishing on Clara.

And for what? just because of her face?

"Mr. Chase," Nina called out, smiling sarcastically. Since when are you so chivalrous? You never seem worried about me walking home alone."

This was the third time Clara had felt a strange hostility from Nana Glancing at Ryan, she began to piece together what was happening. Taking a small step back, she subirly distanced beerself from Ryan. Though she didn't know exactly what their relationship was, Nina clearly viewed her as a threat,

Ryan noticed Clare's movement and sigled quietly, throwing a sharp look at Nina. He had to hold himself back from losing his temper. It Clara weren't here, he might not have been able to restrain himself

Luder Ryan's icy place, Nina talieted, clutching her bag tightly. She didn't dare to continue provoking Clara in front of him.

When Nina finally fell silent, kyan relaxed and tumed back to Clara with a sandle. "It's getting late. Shall we?" the walland over to the car and opened the passenger

(at tilata. "What about Ms. Foster?"

Annuyeure flashed briefly in Ryan's eyes, but he quickly masked it wi

with a polite Loue: "Ms. Foster was just joking earlier. We're neighbors, so she'll come along, too.

cobediently followed Clata into the car, settling into the backseat without a word.

The ride

The car's heater sleepy

and awkward

and the wannth intensified the effects of the two glasses of wine Clara had donk. She began to feel slightly lightheaded and

20 minutes later, the rar pulled over on the main road near Jara's home. She thanked iyan and opened the door to step out.

Ryan Imunediately followed, leaving Mind facing silently in the backseat She glared aggris at them but stayed in the car, nat daning to contront Ryan. Hearing the footsteps behind her, Clara Comed in suprise. "Mr. Chase, why did you get out? My house is just upahead can walk the rest of the way myself."