Chapter 2 I Want To Help You

The bouquet struck Robert directly in the face, making him stagger, his vision blurring from the surprise attack.

Gasps rippled through the auditorium.

Everyone at Pehville University knew about Clara's obsession with Robert-her love for him had always been an open secret.

So no one could have imagined that Clara would lash out at him in front of everyone.

The shock swept through the student body, making it the most explosive scandal on campus all year.

Fury twisted Robert's expression as he jabbed a finger at Clara. "Clara, what's gotten into you? This wild behavior is exactly why I never accepted your proposal!"

A cold, mocking smile played at Clara's lips.

Some things never changed-Robert was still the shameless pretender he had always been.

She remembered how she had bent over backwards for him, lowering herself just to win his approval.

And how he had always called her unstable, reckless, impossible to love.

Predictably, judgmental stares settled on her from every corner of the room.

In the past, the weight of that scorn would have crushed her, and she would have burst into tears, pleading for Robert to forgive her.

This time felt nothing like the others.

"Robert, you think far too highly of yourself!" Clara retorted, laughter cutting cold.

Without warning, she snapped her leg up and landed a fierce kick between his legs.

"Ugh!" Robert cried out as he doubled over and collapsed onto the floor, clutching himself.

Clara stared down at him, her gaze as sharp as a blade. "You trampled my true feelings, Robert, and you will answer for that betrayal."

Her tone stayed low, but the chill in it made the whole room hush. "Watch me. I will unmask you and make you pay."

She tore the veil from her head and flung it over his face, then turned away without a backward glance.

Clara left the auditorium and walked straight to the underground garage. Sliding into her sports car, she felt hatred flare through her like a live wire.

This was only the opening move. From here on out, she would collect the debt Robert owed her for the life he ruined.

She drew a slow breath to steady the storm inside.

Before the revenge, there were people she now needed to protect.

Clara reached for her phone, planning to call her younger brother, Eric Jones, and suggest they visit their grandmother, Sylvia Jones, at the nursing home. Before she could dial, a notification popped up-Eric had just posted on Facebook.

She tapped open the post, and nine pictures loaded, showing the Jones family posing for photos on a day out.

Eric and Emily appeared side by side in every shot, their faces pressed close together as if they were the perfect siblings. The caption read, "Great day out with my favorite sister!"

A pang shot through Clara's chest as she scrolled through the images.

That familiar ache settled at the back of her throat, sharp and bitter.

In her previous life, accusations of academic fraud and murder had ruined her. When she finally got out on bail, Eric was already mentally broken.

Yet this time around, though Eric still clung to Emily as if she were family, at least he was healthy-at least he was alive.

"Staying alive... that's all that matters," Clara whispered, blinking fast to fight off the sting in her eyes. Her gaze lingered on the tagged location-Veiled Mountain.

She nearly scrolled away, but the name stopped her cold.

Veiled Mountain.

A memory she'd tried to forget forced its way to the surface.

Just a few days after this outing, someone powerful had showered the Jones family with expensive gifts, all to thank Emily for saving a VIP.

Due to that act, Emily had gained influence and resources beyond anything Clara could have imagined.

That man's words had been brief, but Clara could never forget the way he mentioned "Veiled Mountain."

A jolt of realization shot through her. Was today the very day Emily performed her miraculous rescue and changed her fate?

Clara's mind raced, and a plan came together in an instant.

Emily had always snatched away everything that mattered. This time, she would beat Emily to it.

Without a second thought, she steered her car toward Veiled Mountain, heart pounding.

While driving, she replayed old memories and sifted through every hint she remembered, eliminating the places where someone important could never be hidden.

She parked at the base of Veiled Mountain and made her way up, heading straight for a spot that she thought might be the possible hideout-a place halfway up the slope.

A metallic tang drifted on the breeze as she got closer. That scent-it was blood.

She knew she was on the right track.

Holding her breath, Clara slowed her steps, searching every shadow and hollow.

After she scoured every likely hiding place, the metallic scent grew thicker, but she still hadn't found a soul.

Confusion crept in just as a cold gun barrel pressed into the back of her head.

A wave of coppery blood mixed with cedar hit her senses, and a voice as icy as winter whispered, "Are you looking for trouble?"

Clara's pulse thundered in her ears, eyes going wide with shock before she pulled herself together.

She didn't waste a second. "I'm not here to hurt you!"

A quiet, mocking laugh sounded from behind her, carrying the unspoken threat that if she'd meant harm, she wouldn't still be breathing.

That cold, commanding tone returned. "If you want to live, get lost."

Even the cold weight of his words carried authority-only someone important could sound so terrifying.

Drawing a slow breath, Clara slowly turned, and found herself staring at a man with striking, cold features.

Dressed in black, he seemed to merge with the shadows of the cave, but the power radiating off him was unmistakable. His sharp, handsome face could have put any celebrity to shame.

A spark of awe flickered in Clara's eyes, quickly replaced by deeper alarm as recognition set in-this was Oliver Walsh, the underworld king of their country, Vrilgas, a name that even the President feared.

Oliver's gaze met hers, and for a brief moment, surprise flashed in his eyes.

He hadn't expected her to stand her ground.

Her brief flicker of recognition didn't escape him either.

So she knew who he was-and maybe even that he had been poisoned with an aphrodisiac.

"Who sent you?" Oliver's eyes were as cold as winter rain, his voice slicing through the silence. "Why are you following me?"

Years of medical study let Clara see right through him. The telltale flush on his skin and tension in his jaw gave away that he was fighting the effects of a potent drug-and losing.

Now was her chance to seize the opportunity Emily had once had, so she tried to keep things civil. "I want to help you..." Her plan was to say she could cure him.

She didn't get the chance to finish. Oliver whipped the gun back toward her, voice hard as granite. "Help me? You think you'll get lucky with me tonight? You're delusional."

A surge of frustration shot through Clara at the sight of that gun in her face once again.

She slapped his arm aside and darted forward in a blur, tackling him before he could react.

Already running on empty, Oliver crashed against the cave wall with a harsh groan.

With fire in her eyes, Clara seized his sharply defined jaw and pressed her lips fiercely against his, stealing a deep, unexpected kiss.