Chapter183 – Start a company?
Inside the box was a striking men’s ring—crafted from polished white jade, inlaid with light purple diamonds. Exquisite, clearly custom-made.
“This ring,” Malachi said quietly, “was part of a pair. A symbol of your mother’s and my love. She took hers when she left.”
Lawrence’s voice dropped. “Why did she leave?”
Malachi's face twisted in regret. “Because I drove her away...”
Then he started to cough—harsh, dry, and violent.
“Dad!” Lawrence leaned in, helping him sit up as he patted his back.
Blood suddenly spattered onto the white bedsheets.
“Lawrence…” Malachi rasped, voice breaking. “After I die, everything—the Whitmore estate, the company, it’ll all be yours. Veronica will get 5% in shares… I know she never treated you right, but—”
“Don’t speak now,” Lawrence said urgently, pressing the emergency button by the bed.
Outside the door, Veronica stood with her arms wrapped tightly around herself, her lips pale, eyes burning with fury.
She’d lost. The woman who sent Lawrence to them—Clementine—had managed to take everything from her. Not only had she saved her son, but she'd stolen the future too.
Now, the entire Whitmore fortune was Lawrence’s.
That woman… that dead woman!
Even ten thousand deaths wouldn't be enough to settle the hatred she held toward her.
Clementine, you bitch!
......
Clarissa had just stepped out of the shower when Atticus wrapped his arms around her from behind. “Clarissa…”
“Atticus, wait a second…” she said, flustered.
But Atticus didn’t stop. He pressed her gently against the sofa, his breath hot against her ear. “No. I don’t want to wait.”
Clarissa froze, her cheeks instantly flushing crimson. “Y-You… Let me go.”
Instead of answering, Atticus whispered, “Then can I sleep with you tonight?”
She refused without hesitation. “No.”
“Why not?”
“No reason,” she said, turning her face away, her ears burning. “Just no.”
“But I graduated, didn’t I? Don’t I get a reward, Sister?”
Their eyes met.
Clarissa’s heart skipped a beat. The heat in Atticus’s gaze was like fire, burning with intensity that threatened to consume her.
“Just one night,” he murmured. “I swear I’ll behave…”
Before she could say anything else, Atticus suddenly scooped her into his arms and carried her quickly into the bedroom.
......
The next morning, Atticus left early for school. On the table, he left breakfast and a handwritten note: “I’ve gone to class. Eat, then go back to sleep. I have a party tonight—don’t wait up for me.”
Clarissa sat down, staring at the elegant, confident handwriting. It was just like him—bold and assertive, impossible to ignore.
Her face warmed as memories of the night before surfaced.
Why do I keep giving in to him like this?
......
Later that day, Clarissa went to Lancaster Group.
As soon as Nathaniel heard she’d arrived, he stepped out of his office to welcome her. He smiled, motioning for her to sit down. “Clarissa, good—you’re here. I heard you were planning to start your own company. Why didn’t you come to me first? I’ll appoint you as deputy general manager right now. This position will be yours sooner or later.”
Clarissa gave a small, helpless sigh. “Dad, Lancaster Group is huge. I’m not sure I’m cut out to run something that big. Besides…”
She hesitated for a beat before continuing. “Besides, there’s Lyra. Lancaster Group should belong to her.”
Nathaniel shook his head, his tone firm yet kind. “Clarissa, you and Lyra are both my daughters. I know your capabilities. As for Lyra… your mother and I have our own plans. You don’t need to worry about that.”
Clarissa was still trying to think of a gentle way to refuse when the office door swung open.
“Dad, I—” Lyra’s voice faltered the moment she saw Clarissa inside.
The smile froze on her face.
Nathaniel noticed the tension but quickly tried to smooth things over. “Lyra, what is it? Your sister and I are in the middle of something.”
Lyra inhaled sharply and forced a polite tone. “It sounds important. I’ll come back later.”
She turned to leave, but Nathaniel called out, “We’re all family. If you’ve got something to say, just say it.”
Lyra paused, then lowered her gaze slightly. “I… I was hoping to come home for a few days.”
Nathaniel frowned. “What happened? Did you argue with Dorian again?”
Lyra’s shoulders tensed. Her eyes flicked toward Clarissa instinctively.
Clarissa’s expression remained calm, unreadable—completely indifferent.
Is she pretending not to care… or does she really mean it?
“Lyra? Lyra?” Nathaniel repeated.
Snapping back to reality, Lyra quickly shook her head. “No, nothing like that. I just missed home, that’s all. I wanted to spend a few days with you. Once I start working at Harrington Group, I won’t have as much free time…”
Nathaniel’s expression softened. “That’s good. Joining Harrington Group will let you support Dorian more. That’s how a strong partnership works.”
Lyra nodded obediently.
Just then, the assistant returned with snacks and tea.
"Here you go, Clarissa. These are your favorites," Nathaniel said warmly, placing the cakes on a plate in front of her.
Clarissa’s taste wasn’t much different from the original owner of her body, so she picked one up without hesitation and started eating.
Nathaniel beamed at the sight. Then, noticing Lyra standing quietly to the side, he grabbed a piece and offered it to her. “Lyra, have some too.”
Lyra’s expression stiffened. “Dad… I’m allergic to peanuts.”
The peanut crisps in his hand were Clarissa’s favorite.
Nathaniel froze. For a moment, guilt flickered across his face. He lightly slapped his forehead. “Ah, right… my memory’s getting worse. What do you like again? I’ll have the assistant buy it for you.”
“There’s no need…” Lyra’s fingers clenched tightly at her sides.
Who’s the real daughter here, anyway?
She took a deep breath, forcing her expression back into something calm and neutral. Then she stood. “I have something else to do. I’ll get going.”
She left in a hurry.
“This child…” he muttered with a helpless sigh.
Clarissa glanced up. “Dad, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” he said with a shake of his head. “I’m just a bit worried about your sister.”
“Worried? About what?”
Nathaniel hesitated. His eyes flickered with a complicated look. “Since Dorian and Lyra came back from their trip, neither of them has said much. I’m worried they might’ve had another falling out.”
“Is that so…” Clarissa replied calmly, not pressing any further.
Nathaniel looked at her and chuckled. “You’re the one who makes me worry the least. So? Is there someone you’re interested in lately?”
Clarissa paused mid-sip of tea. “Not yet. No rush.”
“No rush? Want me to find someone for you?” he teased. “I promise I can pick someone better than Dorian.”
“Dad! You sound just like Mom,” she said, laughing.
“We’re just worried about you. You’re already twenty-four, Clarissa. It’s time to start thinking about settling down.”
“Alright, alright.” Clarissa raised her hands in mock surrender. “Then let me go out and meet more people. I’ll pick the perfect son-in-law for you.”
Nathaniel grinned wide. “Perfect! Then bring him over for Christmas dinner.”
Clarissa choked a little on her tea, cheeks flushing. She forced a smile, silently praying they wouldn’t be too shocked when they finally met her so-called "future son-in-law."
Meanwhile, not far from the office, Lyra stood silently behind the glass partition. From her vantage point, she could clearly see Clarissa and Nathaniel chatting, smiling—warmth radiating between them.
Nathaniel looked at Clarissa with genuine love and pride.
That look… that kind of tenderness… she had never seen it directed at herself.
They looked at her with politeness, maybe even kindness—but never like that.
Her fists clenched tightly at her sides, nails slowly digging into her palms.
“Second Miss? Why are you standing here?” the assistant asked as she approached, noticing Lyra’s motionless figure.
Lyra blinked and snapped out of it. She quickly plastered on a gentle smile. “Oh, it’s nothing. What are you carrying?”
“Oh, this? The general manager said Miss Clarissa wants to start her own company, so I’ve brought over some property deeds from buildings downtown. She’s going to choose from them.”
“Clarissa… wants to start a company?” Lyra repeated slowly. “When did that happen?”
“It’s been a while now,” the assistant replied without much thought.
Then she turned and walked away, unaware that the moment her back was turned, Lyra’s expression turned cold and blank.
She took in a long breath through her nose, then slowly exhaled.
Without returning home, Lyra turned and walked in the opposite direction. Along the way, she stopped at a fast food restaurant.