Chapter 172: Chapter 172

Not surprisingly, even in her state of ’distress’, Clara had taken her time and put a lot of effort on herself before coming out that day. Apart from her worried expression, she looked as impeccable and, most importantly, as sexy as ever.

In her knee-length tight skirt and slightly loose top that gave just enough of a peek of her cleavage, she was the source of any man’s fantasies. Her makeup was on point, and she also had a light coat on to complete the ensemble. The taxi driver licked his dried lips and swallowed dryly as he watched her through the review mirror. He was so intent on her that he never saw what was happening in front of him.

"Fuck!" He suddenly exclaimed and slammed on the brakes!

"Ah!" A startled exclamation left Clara from the backseat at the same time. Fortunately, because she had her seatbelt on, she was only slightly thrust forward as the belt restrained her, only slightly pulling on her shoulders and across her chest.

The driver turned back swiftly to check on his passenger, cursing himself for his stupidity. Outside the taxi, other vehicles blew their horns loudly at the taxi driver, who had ventured into a cross-section of a busy lane because he had ignored a red light!

The man had been too engrossed in his fantasies of his passenger and had nearly slammed into other cars at that cross-section! He wiped the sweat off his face and tried to hide the fact that he was trembling really badly.

"I’m sorry, Miss. Are you okay?"

’Miss?’ The endearment of ’a younger lady’ made Clara smile and forget the incident that had just happened. She patted her chest slightly and winced at the soreness she felt where the belt had pulled on.

"It’s okay, I’m fine," Clara said softly and tucked her hair behind her ears. That was the limit of her attention on the man, though; she then zoned out again, thinking of her husband. That worried look came back, making her appear like a real damsel in some sort of distress to the taxi driver.

He closed his eyes tightly and avoided looking outside his car at the other angry drivers. The man never bothered to go out and check as the other cars had also stopped just in time.

’Thank the heavens that I did not crush into anything! My insurance has already expired, and I have not amassed the money for its renewal yet. What would I have done?’

Even as he thought of this, he could not help but let his mind’s eye rake over the woman in his backseat

’If only I was not taking her to the legal zone....’

He itched to have his way or try his luck with the woman in his backseat, but he dared not have ideas about someone headed to the Legal Zone.

"We’ve arrived, ma’am."

Clara managed to smile with gratitude to him, paid for the fare and then headed straight into the tall building in front of her. She took a slight detour but was back soon enough with a distressed look that made most of the people around her bend to her will.

The building was so intimidating to her, but she had a firm resolve because Clara felt that she needed to do what needed to be done.

Clara had spent the better part of the previous days thinking deeply.

’Shelby should have stepped in to help her father in this. I cannot believe that I tried to shield that ungrateful wench from everything! We used to be so close! What happened to her? Is it because she got married to that man?

What’s the use of marrying such a powerful and rich man if she cannot make use of what she has to help her family!’ Clara’s thoughts had been along those lines, but they were still the same, even at that time, as she walked up to the reception. Time had not changed her mind one bit! She still felt that her only daughter had let her and their family down.

However, Clara had not dared to even entertain the thought of calling Shelby again, even when Rocky had informed her of Shelby’s accident.

"What did Shelby expect me to do? Call and baby her when my husband is in prison with no hope? When she is the reason that he is there, and she refuses to do anything about it even though she can? What the hell is wrong with her?" Clara whispered under her breath. In reality, she was just scared shitless of Ian.

Her thoughts veered to her boy, Rocky.

’Why is even my only son treating me this way, too? I know that he has always been a rigid fan of his sister, but now, I can’t talk to him anymore. I never thought that I would live to see the day that my only son talked back to me. Why does he not see things from my point of view? Just why are children doing this to me? First, my supposed friends all turn their backs on me, and the others just don’t care!’

Clara sniffed and wiped the small tear that threatened to fall.

"What should I do with this situation?" She asked herself, then added yet again,

"I don’t want to go back to those days! Never! That was too terrible. I will do what I need to do. Whatever needs to be done!" She muttered to herself,

"Ma’am, what can I do to help you on this fine day?"

The male receptionist looked at her patiently, thinking, ’This old woman is well-kept.’

Clara had not realized that she had arrived at her destination. At the question, she started fumbling as she was put on the spot.

Yes, Clara had come there with no plan whatsoever. She wasn’t even sure what to ask to get what she wanted.

"Do you have an appointment, ma’am?"

The receptionist asked politely while maintaining a small smile on his face.

Clara had thought past what to do, but she most definitely did not know that she needed an appointment to see such a person. James usually handled these things for her whenever they went out, and she just tugged along. This experience was new.

"I - I didn’t know that I needed an appointment..."

The receptionist frowned for the first time that morning since seeing the woman. All the favourable first impressions he had of her were wiped off in a way. He totally detested the people who came in with no appointment and wanted favours. He took in a deep breath and then asked,

"Then, how may I assist you at this moment, ma’am?"

"My husband was brought here...."

As Clara started talking, her eyes started filling up with tears. They did not fall, but they gave her a very worried and vulnerable look that usually tugged at the heartstrings of all .... Maybe that was a bit of exaggeration, but it did work on most men, including this one in front of her no matter how young he was.

Clara may not have Shelby’s insane charm that drove men crazy without her doing anything, but she had her own ways that she had mustered over the years. She knew exactly how to use that to her advantage, and Clara needed no formal education to do so!

The young receptionist lowered his gaze, knowing where that was going.

".... I would like to see the prosecutor in charge of this, please?"

She batted her lashes at the man.

She tried her best, putting in her all for this. This was her last resort. The reason was that she had actually had one stop before this. Clara had boldly walked up to the courts and demanded to see the judge in charge of the case!

How bold of her! It had only taken a max of five minutes before the receptionist there had thrown her out. Clara had conceded because the secretary in the courts had at least placed a call to the judge, who had clearly given the instructions that she should be kicked out.

It was the most embarrassing thing that Clara had ever experienced. However, it had been a very short and swift process. The receptionist never even took or exchanged pleasantries with Clara, as did the second one in the prosecutors’ building.

However, Clara saw an advantage here: this person in front of her was male, and that was one thing that she could use to her advantage.

"Please? It will be really quick..."

"Who is your husband?"

"Oh!" That was all the receptionist said.

’That junkie who dared to try to frame Ian Thornston married this hot mama. That’s interesting!’

"Ma’am, for James Wendover, it’s going to be a bit hard to secure you a place with-"

"Please? I promise. It’ll be quick."

The man sighed and then picked up his phone, pressing a single number.

"Yes, sir, a woman is here to see you about James Wendover..."

He listened for a bit and then added, "No, she has no appointment...."

He waited for a bit and then hung up.

"It’s your lucky day, ma’am; he’ll see you."

Clara smiled brightly at the young man and was guided to the said prosecutor.

"What can I do for you, Mrs Wendover?"

Outside the room, the receptionist watched on as the clear glass in his boss’s office turned opaque.

"Well, well, well,...."

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