Chapter 26
Rudolf just smiled, catching Clarinda’s reflection in the rearview
mirror. “Clara studied under you for years. Strictly speaking,
she’s more senior than I am.”
That much was true.
Clifton had only been Rudolf’s university professor, but
Clarinda had trained under him since childhood.
He had always been partial to her, even delaying his retirement
until she was admitted to Veyton University and graduated.
No matter how often the university or the Department of
Education came knocking afterward, he never agreed to return.
When it came down to it, Clarinda was his only true apprentice.
Saying she was more senior than her boss out loud wasn’t
appropriate. Clarinda just smiled.
Their laughter carried into the moment the car pulled up at
Clifton’s home.
It was a neighborhood tucked away from the bustle, with wide
gaps between villas and plenty of sunlight streaming in.
Chapter 26
Hearing the car engine, Juliette came out, scolding lightly,
“Clara, Rudolf, you two haven’t visited in ages.”
She took good care of herself. Her complexion glowed with
health, looking no older than her early fifties.
Knowing about the visit ahead of time, Rudolf had prepared a
double set of gifts.
Clarinda helped him carry the packages, smiling. “Juliette, I’ll be
visiting often now. Don’t get tired of me.”
No longer Mrs. Clarinda, she suddenly had much more time to
herself.
“That’s exactly what I want.”
Juliette had only one son, but she had always treated Clarinda,
who had grown up under her husband’s wing, like half a
daughter.
So her words brought nothing but joy.
Clifton welcomed them inside, when Juliette suddenly
remembered. “Oh, we have a guest at home today!”
Her gaze lingered on Clarinda for a beat, hesitation flickering in
her eyes.
Chapter 26
“Who is it?”
With Clifton’s status, visitors usually needed to call at least a
week in advance to make an appointment.
From Juliette’s expression, this wasn’t family.
And yet this person had still walked in like he belonged.
Clifton stepped to the foyer, peering inside curiously, when
Juliette answered, “That young man from the Langdon family.
Something about a drug development project he wants to
discuss.”
At once, Clarinda’s spine stiffened.
But when Clifton turned back, worried, she quickly composed
herself.
He motioned the others inside, but stopped her. “If this makes
you uneasy, I’ll send him away. He won’t stay for dinner.”
“I’m fine, Clifton.”
Ever since running into Ambrose in Veltrana, she had steeled
herself for this moment.
If she could bump into him abroad, seeing him again here was
hardly shocking.
Chapter 26
And with his power and cold detachment, it wasn’t worth
forcing Clifton into an awkward position.
Seeing her calm, Clifton patted her shoulder. “It’s good you can
let it go. After all, you’re siblings. Maybe he has his own reasons
he can’t say…
“Clifton.”
Her lashes lowered, her voice soft as she cut him off. “Let’s go
in.”
Through the years, he wasn’t the first to tell her that.
His own reasons…
If that were true, why hadn’t he ever told her? Why had he
simply tossed her aside like garbage without a word?
In the end, Rowena had been brutally right.
A man like him, so untouchable, so gifted, was only ever
keeping a stray cat or dog for amusement. Once he was tired of
it, it was only natural to throw it away.
Clifton knew where her scars lay and said nothing more. “Come
on.”
Before she entered, the atmosphere inside had been relaxed.
Chapter 26
Rudolf had met Ambrose briefly at the Traditional Medicine
Research Institute. With Juliette’s introduction, conversation
flowed easily.
“Clara.”
When he spotted her, Rudolf waved her over. “This is Mr.
Langdon. We crossed paths in Veltrana.”
The man sat upright, his dark eyes as unreadable as ever.
The sunset bathed him in orange light, softening his natural
severity, but he still carried an air of aloof refinement.
Clarinda’s fingers brushed together as she greeted coolly, “Good
evening, Mr. Langdon.”
“Mr. Langdon, this is Clarinda,” Rudolf said warmly. “She was
my junior in university, exceptionally gifted.”
He always spoke of her with pride. Worried Ambrose might
dismiss her, he added, “But really she’s like a sister to me.”
As the heir to Archer Pharmaceuticals, his word carried weight.
It was, in effect, a shield for Clarinda.
Ambrose arched a brow, almost amused, and repeated with a
mocking tilt, “Hello, Clarinda.”
Chapter 26
To Clarinda, it only dripped with irony. Her voice was edged
with frost. “Mr. Langdon, nice to meet you.”
She was rarely anything but gentle, so this sudden iciness didn’t
escape Rudolf’s notice. Just as he was about to smooth things.
over, Clifton spoke first.
“Come, come, let’s eat. Try Juliette’s cooking.”
His eyes flicked toward Ambrose, voice cool. “It’s been years
since you bothered to eat here.”
The reproach was plain.
At Ambrose’s level, people usually flattered him. No one dared
speak to him like that.
Rudolf’s heart skipped, but Ambrose only smiled faintly. “I was
just afraid you’d throw me out again.”
Clifton snorted. “So you do know where you stand.”
“Alright, enough. Let’s eat.”
Juliette came out to ease the tension, setting dishes on the long
dining table.
Clarinda carried out utensils, laying them out neatly and
pouring wine into each glass.
Chapter 26
Clifton, though a doctor of traditional medicine, enjoyed a drink
now and then.
She took her seat beside Juliette. By coincidence or not,
Ambrose sat across from her.
Clifton and Juliette had never approved of Clarinda’s marriage.
Watching the girl they’d helped raise be mistreated by Corbin
was something they could never accept.
So the moment they heard about the divorce, they wasted no
time gathering her for a celebratory dinner.
Lateefa Khanam is a spirited writer who finds freedom in horse riding. She cherishes her mare and the newborn foal, calling them her little happy family.
