Chapter 81 Leonoraâs eyes flickered with panic, but she quickly regained her composure. âWhy would you say that? May died in that car crash trying to protect her child. How could it be a lie? Heidi looks just like Paolo, right down to the blood type. Just donât mention this in front of him. You know how fiercely protective he gets.â
âWhen the Campbells saw lan blind in one eye and limping, and they came to me wanting to call off the engagement, I should have cut ties with them right then and there. Now I have to deal with Heidi pestering my grandson every day.â Rose huffed.
Leonoraâs voice softened considerably âIan chose this match for himself when he was a little boy. He stood in front of the family elders and said heâd marry Mayâs baby girl when they grew up. We canât go back on our word.â
Rose scoffed, âHe was four years old. What did he know? He just wanted a little sister or brother to play with. If your child hadnât met with misfortune, would he have had to run off to the Campbells?â
The mention of the past darkened Leonoraâs expression. âMom, it wasnât intentional. Because of that child, Teo still hasnât forgiven me. Heâd rather fool around than be with me.â
Rose decided not to rub salt into the wound. âEnough. Donât you use that family background issue to stop Clara from entering our family. And donât forget, your own beginnings were even humbler than hers.â
Immediately, Leonora was rendered speechless. Her past had always been her Achillesâ heel. Her father had been a gambler, often abusive, and eventually ended up in prison due to involuntary manslaughter. Her mother passed away a few years later due to ill health.
But Teo had never looked down on her.
To be precise, he never looked down on Sierra.
The thought of that name filled Leonoraâs eyes with malevolence.
Monday morning.
Clara had just arrived at the office when she spotted Nicole packing up her things. She approached with an icy demeanor.
âNicole, have you never regretted betraying me?â
Nicoleâs pale face slowly lifted. Her eyes revealed an undeniable ferocity. âClara, what are you so proud of? Your success is due to nothing more than a pretty face and hooking up with Mr. Hayesâ bed.â
âDo you think youâre better than me? You got everything by selling yourself. Without Mr. Hayesâ patronage, youâd be nothing.
Youâre just like your mother, selling your body for 1/2 11:50 money! Her words were venomous, and her eyes were nearly bleeding with fury She was no less than Clara in any aspect. Why did Clara have what she didnât? Why did Mr. Hayes fancy Clara and never spare Nicole a glance?
Nicoleâs final words but Clara deeply. With a swift motion, Clara slapped her across the face. Her voice was cold as ice. âBelieve me, once you walk out that door, no company will dare to hire you.â
âClara, donât bully me with your power!â
âI donât need power to make your life a living hell. Believe it?â
Clara had never been so brazen. Her eyes sparkled with a rare defiance as she stepped closer to Nicole.
Terrified, Nicole stumbled backward. âClara, youâre ruthless. Just you wait!â
After saying that, Nicole grabbed her belongings and fied in disarray. Clara stood there, feeling a chill run through her.