Chapter 28
At the end of the corridor, a private room buzzed with noise,
filled with men and women.
Inside, Wesley frowned at Corbin. “The past is the past, but you
fought over Adrienne and dragged Clarinda into cleaning up
your méss? Are you out of your mind?”
“What’s the difference between that and making her fetch
condoms for you? And she didn’t make a fuss?”
“She didn’t.”
Corbin swirled the amber liquid in his glass, lips curling. “She
only asked if I could cut Adrienne off. But she’s my sister–in–law.
How could I?”
“Sister–in–law or something else, you know what it is. Just don’t
push Clarinda too far, or she’ll divorce you,” Wesley warned.
Clarinda had always been gentle and reasonable. Only that time
in the hospital had she lost her temper badly enough to smash a
bottle over Adrienne’s head.
Corbin shook his head. “She won’t.”
Chapter 28
She’d been blindly devoted for years. No way she’d suddenly
leave without a word.
Growing up together had its bond, but Wesley still couldn’t
stomach it. “Don’t take advantage just because she doesn’t have
family backing her. She’s still the girl Ambrose raised.”
From the card table, another friend chimed in lazily, “They fell
out years ago. I doubt Ambrose would interfere.”
“She and I fell out?”
The private room door swung open. Ambrose leaned against the
frame, one hand in his pocket, his expression careless, eyes
hooded. “Did she tell you that or did I?”
His tone carried an edge of menace.
The man who’d spoken turned, jolted to his feet, cards forgotten.
“A–Ambrose…”
Not just him.
Corbin and Wesley were caught off guard too.
Ever since Corbin married Clarinda, he’d grown distant, not
only from her but from them as well.
Chapter 28
Still, he hadn’t quit the WhatsApp group.
Whenever they made plans, they’d post in the chat, though
Ambrose rarely showed up.
No one expected him to suddenly appear without a word.
Wesley stood up with a smile, trying to smooth things over.
“Ambrose, what brings you out tonight?”
“Just drop by.”
Ambrose gave him a light nod before straightening up and
stepping inside.
The man from earlier hurried over with apologies. “Man, I ran
my mouth. Don’t hold it against me.”
Most of the guys here leaned on family wealth and influence.
Only Ambrose and Corbin held real power. Especially Ambrose,
who ran both sides of the street. In Veyton, no one dared cross
him.
Ambrose lounged back on the leather sofa, one arm draped
lazily over the backrest. “Relax, I was joking. Why so nervous?”
“Alright, go play your cards!”
Chapter 28
Corbin stepped in to ease the tension, lifting his glass toward
Ambrose from across the table. “They’re all terrified of you. Like
you don’t know that.””
“Are they?”
Ambrose raised his glass, his tone absent.
Corbin topped off his drink, slipping easily into the role of
attentive family. “Have you been in touch with Clara lately?”
His voice was low and careless. “Didn’t you all say we cut ties?”
“We were joking.”
Corbin chuckled. “Everyone knows you used to spoil her.”
Of all people, he knew best the bond Clarinda once shared with
Ambrose.
After losing his parents, Ambrose had shut everyone out, except
her. He’d cherished her like a sister.
“What’s the matter?”
Ambrose’s lips curved faintly as he fixed his gaze on him.
“Afraid I’ll cause trouble if you divorce her for Adrienne?”
Of course not. But Corbin didn’t deny it. He just smiled and
Chapter 28
asked, “Would you?”
Clarinda had just fallen asleep when the call came.
Many of her long–time patients had her number, so she rarely
put her phone on silent, in case of emergencies.
“Clara, can you come pick up Corbin?”
She recognized Wesley’s voice right away.
Shaking off the haze of sleep, she glanced at the clock, two in the
morning. “Wesley, can’t you just call him a driver?”
She had a morning shift at the clinic.
“No good getting a driver out here at Cloudspire Club. The house
cars are all taken.”
He spoke while sending her the location.
Still groggy, Clarinda dragged herself out of bed. She didn’t even
bother changing, just pulled on a long down coat and left.
Cecily, a night owl, poked her head out at the noise. “Where are
you going at this hour?”
“Night shift.”
The Alden family paid her a condo plus eight hundred grand; of
course it was basically a job.
Clarinda grabbed Cecily’s car keys from the entryway. “I’m
taking your car.“.
“Huh? Oh, okay”
What night shift?
Cecily blinked, confused, but before she could press, Clarinda
was gone. She sighed and went back to her case files.
Winter nights were brutally cold.
Clarinda blasted the heat as high as it would go. Wesley had
already called ahead. Once she gave her name, a waiter led her
to the private room.
Even at this hour, the club was busy, the air thick with the tang
of alcohol.
“Miss, Mr. Alden is in here.”
The waiter opened the door. Clarinda answered automatically,
“Thanks-”
Chapter 28
The words caught in her throat.
Flashing neon lit the room.
Ambrose sat in the corner facing the door, half his sharp
features shadowed, only his dark eyes visible, watching her
lazily.
She wondered if she’d been cursed back in Veltrana.
Years without seeing him, and now he was everywhere.
“Clara, you came.”
Wesley greeted her warmly, beckoning her over. “Come in.”
Corbin’s friends chimed in with greetings too.
Her palm tightened as she stepped in, greeting each one politely.
“Wesley, Kennith…”
When it came to Ambrose, her lips pressed together. “Mr.
Langdon.”
The word hung in the air, silencing the room for a few seconds.
Even Wesley felt a chill down his spine.
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.
