Chapter 83: Chapter 83

Jess didn't want to move her belongings even for a moment. Her eyes stared at the beautiful woman with ash brown hair with a cynical gaze. Meanwhile, in front of her, the woman seemed relaxed, enjoying the cup of tea that was served. Jess felt an urge to sprinkle the deadliest poison to make that woman disappear from her sight.

The corner of her eye also noticed Fathia, who was way more composed than the last time Jess remembered about their meeting. If Jess wanted to shout a lot of things, it seems that Fathia chose to let her conversation partner speak first. Jess couldn't quite grasp what was going on in Fathia's mind this time, because from this morning until ten minutes ago, their conversation had been overly casual. Suddenly, this visit came without them being able to refuse.

And how on earth could this Fox press the doorbell of this apartment? Did she have access? Damn it. Jess forgot that the woman who was the embodiment of the Fox, the one with the nine-tailed name, Clara Jasson, is the fiancée of the owner of this residence. If it wasn't for Fathia who had been giving her signals to bite her tongue and be patient, Jess might have already unleashed a barrage of curses at Clara.

Just taking advantage of Fathia's situation without any regard! Jess was quite sure that this woman had her own hidden agenda. And it turned out to be true. She wouldn't be friendly with someone who exploits others for their own benefit. And how dare she even touch Fathia? Jess would have her own retaliation, without waiting for anyone's approval, including Sebastian's.

Fortunately, she hadn't chosen to go back to Fathia's house. Although here, Jess often teased Fathia for being shy when she was with Sebastian. It's obvious that the two of them are head over heels in love. Besides, in Jess's eyes, they truly complemented each other. One of them, stiff, cold, and rarely spoke. While the other, gentle, radiating a unique sincerity from Fathia herself. Jess was puzzled, had Fathia's sensitivity completely vanished? She didn't even realize her charm?

Meanwhile, the woman in front of them didn't lower her guard at all. "You look healthy, Fathia," Clara said softly. Gently placing down her tea cup, her gaze didn't diminish even a bit from the hatred that continued to dominate her heart towards the girl in front of her. And she had the audacity to return here... oh my God! How could she let her guard down? The excitement of Sebastian soon becoming hers had made her lose her focus. Yet, the timing was just right. After she got married, Fathia would be picked up and taken to Laras's house.

She had everything perfectly planned. Very meticulously. She had considered everything. Taking advantage of Sebastian's nonchalant attitude towards her joyful day. The only thing on that stiff guy's mind was work, work, work, and more work. Nothing else. Even when he visited the apartment, it usually ended up with him falling asleep alone in the guest room. Sebastian never extended an invitation like they used to. And that too in his own apartment. Not here.

It's like this apartment was a sacred place for him. Trying hard to suppress her anger whenever they talked, Sebastian casually left her behind. He would enter Fathia's room and never come out until morning.

Damn, whatever Sebastian did to her was only making her more curious. She wanted to quickly subdue him so he wouldn't remember Fathia, the stupid girl she hated so much.

But instead of that happening, that girl just appeared and ruined all her plans. Not all of them, not yet. She still had one ace up her sleeve – something she believed would effectively shut up the burning anger that was consuming him. Sebastian's failure to protect Fathia. Anything related to Fathia deeply disturbed Sebastian. Clara was well aware of that and chose to test her luck again.

"Thank God, Fathia is well," she said.

Ridiculous. She couldn't believe she wasn't affected by Clara's intimidation tactics. Instead, that face, pretending to be innocent, showed a small smile. As if mocking her with that grin on her lips. Not much had changed since Clara last saw Fathia. The scar was still on her left temple. Did everyone just ignore it? Oh, how foolish Clara was. She was using her face, which was no longer as perfect as before, to seek sympathy.

Clara should have understood that. She muttered softly. Her gaze turned sharper towards both Fathia and her cunning friend. Clara was so easily deceived by the child who didn't take her eyes off Clara.

What could they possibly do? If it weren't for the people behind them, these two naive kids would be toothless. True.

She didn't come here without a purpose. Even if Fathia came here because of Group Azure, Clara couldn't care less. Group Azure was none of her business. And even if Sebastian no longer worked there, he wasn't her concern either. Her future husband was intelligent, and he surely had better offer than what Group Azure could give. Clara was very confident about that.

"Auntie, is there something you want to talk about? Sebastian will be here in two hours. I don't want any drama happening here."

Clara was taken aback. "What did you say? You want to control me?"

The girl shook her head with a small smile that felt more and more repulsive. "I just don't want any drama. If you came here to have dinner together, I welcome it. But if you're here to cause trouble, I won't hesitate to throw you out."

Clara slammed the table. She didn't care that the sudden noise was loud enough to hurt the ears in the living room. Jess glared sharply at her, ready to protect Fathia, but the girl seemed calm, holding the tea cup she had lifted earlier.

"Mind your attitude!" Jess almost stood up, ready to challenge the woman who was getting more attention and thus raising her anger. If it weren't for Fathia pulling her back to sit, Jess thought she would have been grappling affectionately with Clara's long hair. She might even end up bald, she thought.

"You?!" Clara pointed, not caring about Jess's rage-filled response. "Don't be disrespectful! You should be thanking me! I saved you!!!"

Fathia lifted her gaze from the edge of the cup she had just sipped. She gently placed the cup down, causing some of the contents to spill from the cup Clara had shouted into. Slowly, she rubbed Jess's arm to calm her down. Fathia knew that her friend was seething with anger over the behavior of the nine-tailed fox woman in front of them.

"Have I not said thank you?" Eyes that were usually warm and comforting when looking at someone were now piercingly challenging. There was no wavering at all. "Ah, I forgot that your 'rescue' was carried out under orders."

Clara growled in frustration. Her hand clenched tightly. Her eyes gleamed with anger. "You!"

"That's the truth, right? If Aunt suddenly loses her memory, I can repeat Aunt Laras's words. My life is Aunt Clara's lifeline. If I can't be saved, Aunt Clara would suffer even worse consequences."

She savored how Clara's face turned darker as anger consumed her. Although she didn't want to speak like that just now, Jess's words echoed perfectly in her mind.

Jess was right. This woman took advantage of what was happening and betrayed the trust Laras had given her. When Fathia talked, with nothing concealed from Laras, her paternal aunt became angry. Fathia could feel the genuine affection Laras had for her. Though it hadn't been expressed in a long time, Fathia believed that Laras was on her side.

"I'm not here for Sebastian. If I were back because of Sebastian, I'm not sure Aunt would still be breathing until now."

"Watch your words!"

Fathia just gave a small smile. "I'm just speaking the truth."

Clara needed to stay calm. Right. She had to control her emotions with emphasis. She took a deep breath several times, managing to regain control of her gaze. She couldn't be provoked by what Fathia said. This little girl was smart. Not easily defeated. She had to find a specific way to execute the rest of her plan. So, it wouldn't be too chaotic and she could achieve her goal: marrying Sebastian.

"It's good that you're not back for Sebastian. That means you know and realize that our relationship has become more serious."

Fathia slightly clenched the edge of the sofa.

"Besides, what I said is true. You are a threat that could harm Sebastian. As for me?" Clara muttered softly, parting her long hair slowly. Her gaze was sharp, unshaken by Fathia's challenge up to this point.

Since their first meeting, Fathia seemed weak, gentle, and helpless. However, Clara was mistaken. Behind all the things Clara had considered to suppress Fathia, there lay a great strength that could make Clara tremble. The girl wasn't afraid of threats. But...

"Aunt is right. I'm a threat to Sebastian. Anyone close to me can be in danger."

Clara grinned with satisfaction. Her guess was correct. She just needed to wait for what Fathia would say next.

"Including Aunt, right?" Fathia spoke calmly, as if what had just come out of her lips was a major, unavoidable warning.

"What do you mean?"

"Anyone close to Fathia is likely to be affected. Including Aunt. Aunt herself warned about it. I thought it was only for certain people, but apparently, I was wrong."

For some reason, Clara's hair stood on end at those words. Fathia's calm expression and the underlying serenity suddenly made her feel odd.

She had felt this uncomfortable feeling before. Her memories were quickly searched to recall the last time she had felt like this. Larasati Accsia Claire. Yes, that woman. The middle-aged woman who always appeared elegant and refined due to her social status. Her way of speaking made those around her struggle to breathe. Whatever she said from her lips, for some reason, immediately gained swift agreement. Her body language was graceful, yet in an instant, she could shatter anything that crossed her mind.

And now... in front of her, she felt the same aura again. Strikingly similar.

"I'll ask only once, and I want an honest answer."

Clara couldn't bring herself to just evade Fathia's intense gaze.

"What's the motive behind Aunt hiding the truth I should know?"

Silence. The silence that enveloped them now made Clara unable to underestimate her conversation partner any longer. This naive kid turned out to be a Claire. Someone not easily threatened or pressured, even though she had made Fathia helpless before. There were no demands from the girl's lips. But truly, all the words that had just been spoken felt like a personal alarm for her.

"If Aunt really wants Sebastian, I've never stood in the way."

A sigh of relief escaped Clara, yet...

"Did Aunt ever think that my delayed return could have a truly fatal consequence? Even for Aunt herself?"

The woman's brow furrows. She doesn't understand what Fathia is saying.

"Because when Alef Walker took control... everything, Aunt. Everything. Without exception." Fathia pauses her words for a moment before continuing. "Will be wiped out."

Clara's laughter resounds. Oh God! Fathia is really overconfident in saying this!

"Uncle Alef Walker is the one who killed my parents if Aunt didn't know yet. He desires Group Azure more than anything he possesses."

Clara is already aware of that.

"But... behind everything Uncle Alef did, there's another figure even more ruthless. Ready to eliminate anyone who stands in his way, including Aunt. He saved Fathia but didn't inform her when Fathia should have returned."

Clara blinks slowly. Her laughter fades as she sees the two girls in front of her displaying nothing but blank expressions.

"So... Fathia's debt of life has been paid. On the day Fathia set foot in this house. Because if Aunt only wanted to exploit the situation for her own benefit, rest assured, your marriage would have never happened."

Fathia chooses to rise from her seat, with Jess following suit in imitation. "I don't need thanks from Aunt in the future. Where Aunt will continue to remember this day." She turns slightly towards the woman still seated. "The day when I asked Aunt Laras not to close the life of an Elizabeth Clara Jasson Ludwig. A day that, if reversed, wouldn't bring life, but misery. Isn't that right, Princess Ludwig?"