Chapter194 – Recruiting talent
Maximilian finally exhaled, his shoulders easing.
“Can I apply it now?” the doctor asked, though his gaze flicked once more to Phoenix.
Only when she gave a curt nod did he begin working, carefully dabbing the ointment into the deep gash. The wound wasn’t large, but it was serious—deep enough to require three stitches to avoid scarring. The doctor dressed it with quiet precision, then stood to leave.
Before departing, his eyes darted longingly to the medicine boxes. But then he caught Phoenix’s sharp, cutting stare. With a shiver, he turned on his heel and left empty-handed.
The study fell silent. Only Phoenix and Maximilian remained.
Phoenix lowered her shirt slowly, fastening each button with deliberate care. Her voice was calm, but edged with steel.
“Tell me. Why did you interfere just now?”
Maximilian kept his eyes down. “I don’t understand.”
“Don’t play games with me.” Phoenix’s gaze was like a blade. “Are you doubting Atticus?”
His order to test the medicine had already exposed his thoughts.
The next second, Maximilian dropped to his knees.
“Phoenix, everything I do is for your safety. If you’re displeased, punish me. I’ll take it.”
Phoenix gave a thin smile. “Punish you? For what? Get up.”
She steadied herself against the desk, pouring a cup of tea with her free hand. “Just tell me what’s on your mind.”
Maximilian hesitated, then said in a low voice, “Atticus needs to be investigated. Thoroughly.”
Phoenix’s hand stilled for the briefest moment. She lifted the cup, took a sip, and answered flatly, “Not yet.”
“But… what if he hurts Miss Clarissa?”
Phoenix slammed the cup down. Tea splashed across her hand and sleeve, but she didn’t flinch. Her voice was like ice.
“Then I’ll destroy him.”
Maximilian let out a slow breath. “Phoenix, if he’s allowed to grow unchecked for a few more years, even we may not be able to stop him. That’s why I—”
Phoenix’s eyes flashed dangerously.
If Clarissa knew the truth, it would only break her.
She drew a deep breath. “I’ll think on it..”
Maximilian lingered, clearly wanting to argue further. But one look at Phoenix’s expression reminded him of her temper. He bowed his head, turned, and left, closing the heavy door behind him.
Alone in the study, Phoenix leaned back in her chair, her slender fingers absently twisting the ring on her index finger.
No one knew what thoughts darkened her mind at that moment.
...........
Clarissa had to work the next day, so she woke around eight.
The Wraith family had everything she could possibly need, so she only brought a few changes of clothes. Phoenix had bought the rest for her.
After washing up, Clarissa spent another half hour applying light makeup. When she finally left her room, she found Phoenix already sitting in the lobby, calmly eating breakfast. Even with her injuries, she was sipping tea as though nothing had happened.
“Phoenix,” Clarissa frowned, “don’t drink so much tea when you’re hurt. It’s not good for recovery.”
Phoenix set down the morning paper she’d been reading and gave the maid a casual command. “Bring me a glass of milk.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Soon a steaming cup of milk appeared. Phoenix took a sip right in front of Clarissa, then smiled. “Better?”
Clarissa shook her head helplessly. “There’s no point putting on an act just for me. You need to take care of yourself until your wounds heal.”
“I can’t promise that,” Phoenix admitted with a wry smile, “but I’ll try my best.” She picked up a dumpling with her chopsticks and placed it into Clarissa’s bowl. “This is your favorite. I had someone go out and buy them for you. Try one.”
Clarissa lowered her head, bit into it, and immediately recognized the taste.
“Well? Is it good?”
“Delicious,” she said, smiling.
Satisfied, Phoenix poured her another cup of tea. “Have some tea. When I’m busy, nothing relaxes me more than this.”
Clarissa sipped the tea. It was perfectly brewed, with a clean fragrance and a sweet aftertaste—nothing bitter. She found herself drinking a few extra sips before setting the cup down.
“When are you planning to leave again?” she asked.
“The day after tomorrow,” Phoenix answered casually, biting into a bun.
“So soon?” Clarissa’s eyes widened. “But your injury—”
“It’s fine. This kind of wound is nothing. I’ve taken far worse and still carried kilos of gear to finish missions.”
Her tone was light, almost dismissive, but the words pricked Clarissa’s heart. Phoenix treated hardship as something ordinary, things even men might not endure, yet she bore them without complaint. But no matter how strong she was, she was still just a woman.
Clarissa set down her chopsticks and looked at her.
Noticing her gaze, Phoenix arched a brow. “What’s wrong? Didn’t like the food? I’ll have the chef make something else.”
“No,” Clarissa shook her head softly, forcing a calm smile. “It’s just… we haven’t seen each other in so long. We haven’t even had proper time together, and you’re already talking about work. Doesn’t that mean I won’t see you again for ten days? Maybe half a month?”
Phoenix’s eyes lit with amusement. “So you’re saying… you don’t want to be apart from me?”
Clarissa froze for a moment, then nodded.
She knew she couldn’t change Phoenix’s choices or her lifestyle. Phoenix had her reasons for keeping things from her. But as her friend, Clarissa just wished she didn’t have to live so harshly—so relentlessly.
Phoenix’s heart softened. Of course she understood what Clarissa meant. She didn’t want her running around injured, enduring pain on top of everything else.
Clarissa looked radiant in that moment, almost unreal, like something conjured from a dream. Sometimes Phoenix wondered if this was all just an illusion.
With a faint sigh, she reached out, brushing her fingers through Clarissa’s long hair. “Don’t worry. It’s only for a few years. The Wraiths are testing me, and I have to pass.”
Clarissa didn’t fully understand the power the Wraith family held, but Phoenix did. Their position in the country was unshakable. To inherit that power, she had to succeed.
Still, under Clarissa’s watchful eyes, she relented. She poured more tea and said gently, “But since it’s you asking… I’ll wait until I’ve healed before I leave. Is that acceptable?”
Relief softened Clarissa’s features at last.
Phoenix smiled. “Now eat up. I’ll have Delilah go with you to work later.”
“There’s no need,” Clarissa protested. “It’s just the office. I’ll be fine.”
Besides, with Delilah’s flute gone and Kitty unable to come along, Clarissa wasn’t sure who would be protecting whom if trouble actually appeared.
But Phoenix caught the flicker of doubt in her eyes, and a knowing smile played across her lips. “Don’t worry. Delilah can protect you. Don’t mistake her for an ordinary girl.”
Since Phoenix had made the decision, Clarissa could only nod.
And so, when she went to work that day, she had a shadow following at her heels.
.......
Clarissa was still in her usual professional attire, her long, slightly wavy hair spilling down to her waist. The sleek outfit only highlighted her flawless figure—her long, shapely legs in particular drew every eye in the room.
Beside her, Delilah looked like she had stepped out of a painting. She wore a simple white dress that brushed just past her knees, her jet-black hair braided and tied with beads and a matching headband. The braid fell almost to her thighs, swaying as she moved. With her delicate features and almost ethereal presence, she seemed less like a bodyguard and more like some fairy who had wandered into the mortal world.
It was impossible not to stare.
Oriana, Clarissa’s secretary, nearly dropped the stack of documents in her arms. She blinked at Delilah in shock, then turned wide eyes to Clarissa. “Clarissa, is this… the new artist?”
She was stunning—shockingly so. Oriana had worked with Clarissa long enough to get used to her boss’s beauty, but this was the first time she’d seen anyone who could stand on equal ground with her.
Clarissa quickly shook her head. “No, she’s a friend. She’s here… to see me.”
Before Oriana could press further, Delilah stepped forward with a polite bow. “I’m Delilah. I’m here to protect Clarissa.”
Oriana gave her a friendly smile, though her mind was still reeling.
Inside the office, Clarissa returned to her paperwork while Delilah lounged nearby, nibbling on snacks. When she grew sleepy, she simply curled up and dozed off without complaint.
Clarissa worried she’d get bored. Once she’d cleared the last of her morning files, she walked over and bent down. “Bored?”
Delilah nodded without hesitation. “A little. But it’s fine. Phoenix asked me to look after you, so I’ll take it seriously.”
The honesty made Clarissa laugh. She reached out and ruffled Delilah’s silky hair. “Don’t worry. I’ll take you to watch some auditions later.”
Delilah’s eyes lit up. “Really? Like the stars from TV?”
Clarissa chuckled and nodded.
The company had only recently started recruiting talent. They’d hired for the basic staff positions already, but most of the applicants Clarissa needed to evaluate now were aspiring performers. With the company still in its infancy, she had to personally oversee almost everything. The past few days had been exhausting—if Phoenix hadn’t gotten injured, Clarissa wouldn’t have taken even a short break.
So when Delilah realized she’d get to leave the office, she perked up immediately.
At the audition venue, Clarissa didn’t have to make her presence known, but she watched carefully from behind the cubicle screens. One by one, she dismissed the applicants. Out of all of them, only a single photographer showed enough promise to stay. The rest were underwhelming.
Delilah seemed entertained enough, happily spooning Häagen-Dazs straight from the tub as she watched the hopefuls parade through.
Clarissa, though, was unimpressed. None of them fit the image she had in mind.
Then he walked in.
The man couldn’t have been more than his mid-twenties. A faint scruff shadowed his jawline, drawing attention to his striking eyes—eyes that seemed to cut straight through the noise around him. His frame was tall and lean, his posture casual, almost careless. He wore nothing but a faded T-shirt and a pair of washed-out jeans, and his hair was an unrestrained silver crop, short but bold.
Clarissa’s gaze lingered. Something about him—especially those eyes—pulled at her memory. He felt familiar in a way she couldn’t immediately place.
“Clarissa? Clarissa?” Delilah’s voice broke through her thoughts.
Clarissa blinked and turned to her. “What is it?”
Delilah tilted her head, clearly puzzled. “You zoned out. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Clarissa forced her expression neutral and glanced down at the man’s file—only to find there wasn’t one.
He was speaking with one of the staff, too far away for her to catch the words. Frowning, Clarissa called Oriana over. “Go find out what’s going on.”