Chapter 123: I might personally visit heaven
A few minutes later, Dominic and Clara finally made their way downstairs.
Clara had her arm wrapped comfortably around Dominic’s, happily chatting away as they walked toward the dining room.
Dominic, as usual, wore his signature expressionless face. He simply listened quietly while Clara did all the talking.
She didn’t mind. By now, she knew her husband well enough.
His face rarely showed emotion. His actions always did.
The moment they entered the dining room, Clara smiled brightly.
"Good morning, everyone."
Jonathan’s eyes lit up. "Finally!"
Without wasting another second, he reached for the basket of croissants. "I was beginning to see my ancestors."
Grace looked at him helplessly.
"You’ve only been waiting fifteen minutes."
"It felt like fifteen years."
Grace shook her head before turning to the couple. "I’m just glad the two of you came down together." Her warm smile didn’t go unnoticed.
She had no idea what had happened between them, but seeing Clara happily holding Dominic’s arm was enough to ease her worries.
Across the table, Hannah watched the pair with narrowed eyes. The moment Clara sat beside her, Hannah leaned over.
"You two made up?"
Clara nodded happily. "We did."
Hannah dramatically placed a hand over her chest. "Oh, thank goodness." She sighed in relief.
"I was already planning my escape."
Clara blinked. "Escape?"
Hannah nodded seriously. "You have no idea how terrifying a sulking Dominic is." She lowered her voice. "A cold Dominic is scary. A sulking Dominic? That’s a whole different horror movie."
Clara burst into laughter. Even Dominic glanced at Hannah for a brief second without saying a word.
"..."
Hannah immediately looked down at her plate.
"I suddenly love breakfast."
Clara laughed even harder.
Meanwhile, Nicholas, who had been quietly observing everyone from the head of the table, cleared his throat.
The entire dining room instantly fell silent.
"Now that everyone is finally here..." His sharp gaze landed on Clara. "Young lady. Would you care to explain yesterday’s disappearance?"
Clara’s smile stiffened. Across from her, Hannah silently prayed.
Please let us eat first... Interrogations are easier after breakfast.
Unfortunately.. no one shared her opinion. Everyone looked toward Clara.
However the most curious among them... was Dominic.
"Yes, Clara. What made you leave the mansion in the middle of the night?" Grace spoke gently.
She still remembered Dominic barging into the Pearl Mansion looking ready to turn the entire city upside down because his wife had vanished.
Clara smiled awkwardly. "I’m sorry for worrying everyone. I suddenly felt like eating ice cream." She scratched her cheek.
"..."
Everyone stared at her. Jonathan blinked.
"That’s all?"
Clara nodded. "That’s all."
Jonathan immediately looked offended. "Then why didn’t you wake me up? We could’ve gone together!"
Before Clara could answer— Grace nudged him with her elbow.
"Ouch"
Jonathan looked at her innocently. "What?"
Grace folded her arms and scolded him.
"Your sugar intake is already too high. Do you want your doctor to ban desserts completely?"
Jonathan’s expression instantly changed. "...No."
He leaned toward her and whispered hopefully, "But... one scoop wouldn’t hurt."
Grace gave him a flat look and Jonathan quietly looked away.
"I’ve been misunderstood."
Clara bit her lip to stop herself from laughing.
Dominic, however, asked another question.
"And Hannah? How did she end up with you?"
Every pair of eyes shifted toward Hannah.
She almost dropped her fork as she looked at the curious eyes.
"Well..."Recovering quickly, she smiled awkwardly. "Clara said she didn’t want to eat ice cream alone. And since you weren’t with her... she asked if I’d join her."
She finished the entire explanation in one breath.
"Exactly." Clara nodded naturally.
"I didn’t want to go alone. So I asked Hannah and she kindly agreed."
She casually took another bite of her croquette. "As simple as that."
Grace and Jonathan exchanged a glance before nodding. It sounded perfectly reasonable.
Nicholas sighed too
"Next time..." He looked directly at Clara. "Inform your husband before disappearing."
"Yes, Grandpa."
"I will."
With that, Nicholas returned to his breakfast.
The matter appeared settled. Everyone relaxed. Everyone... except one person.
Dominic quietly continued eating. His expression remained unchanged. But his thoughts... were another matter entirely.
[If they only went out for ice cream.Then why was there mud all over her pajamas?]
Clara nearly choked on her food.
"Cough...!"
"Careful." Dominic immediately reached for the glass of water and handed it to her.
"Thanks..." She accepted it with a weak smile.
Outwardly, Dominic said nothing.
Inwardly... his curiosity only deepened.
Clara had lied flawlessly. Anyone else would have believed her without question.
Unfortunately for her... her husband noticed details.
Tiny details and muddy pajamas... didn’t match midnight ice cream.
Clara took another sip of water.
He’s already suspicious. I really need to be more careful.
The rest of breakfast passed peacefully. Soon afterward, Dominic and Clara excused themselves and left for the Pearl Mansion.
Hannah also left shortly after and within minutes... the once lively dining room became surprisingly quiet.
Grace looked toward the now-empty seats and smiled wistfully.
"I wish Clara had stayed one more day."
Jonathan nodded enthusiastically.
"Exactly. Maybe tonight we’d all have gone out for ice cream."
Grace laughed.
"You just want another excuse to eat dessert."
Jonathan cleared his throat.
"...That’s only fifty percent true."
Nicholas looked at the couple over the rim of his teacup.
"No." His answer was immediate. "She absolutely should not stay another day."
Jonathan blinked. "Father?"
Nicholas set down his teacup with a sigh.
"A few hours of her disappearing was enough for your son to turn this house upside down."
He looked toward the staircase. "Another day..." He paused dramatically. "...and I might personally visit heaven from the stress."
For a second... the room fell completely silent. But soon Grace covered her mouth.
Jonathan too lowered his head.
"Pfft"
Both of them desperately tried to hold back their laughter. It wasn’t every day they heard the mighty Nicholas Sterling admit that someone had nearly scared him to death.
Of course... the person responsible wasn’t Clara.
It was Dominic. And apparently...a panicked Dominic Sterling was terrifying enough to frighten even the head of the Sterling family.
***
Twenty minutes later, the black sedan came to a smooth stop outside the bakery.
Clara unfastened her seatbelt before turning toward Dominic with a bright smile.
"Have a nice day, Hubby." Before he could react, she leaned over and planted a quick kiss on his lips.
"There. That’s your good luck charm for today."
Dominic blinked in surprise. By the time he recovered... Clara was already out of the car.
Watching her cheerful figure disappear toward the bakery, the corners of his lips lifted almost imperceptibly.
"To the company," he instructed calmly.
"Yes, sir."and the driver pulled away.
***
Clara had barely taken a few steps toward the bakery when she noticed Silvia pacing anxiously outside the entrance.
"Hmm?" She frowned.
"Silvia, why are you standing outside? Are you waiting for someone?"
Silvia immediately turned around. The moment she saw Clara, she visibly relaxed.
"Thank goodness you’re here, Madam." She let out a long breath, only for her nervousness to return a second later.
"Madam...you need to come inside. Someone is waiting to see you."
Clara’s smile slowly faded. "Someone?" Her instincts immediately went on alert.
Who could it be? Without another question, she hurried inside.
The moment Clara stepped through the door—
"Madam!" Lily rushed over excitedly.
"Chef Jaden is here to meet you!"
Clara’s footsteps halted and her eyes immediately landed on the man sitting comfortably by the window.
Chef Jaden casually sipped his latte as though he had all the time in the world. But the instant their eyes met... a warm smile spread across his face.
Clara couldn’t help smiling helplessly.
Mr. Graham...
There was only one person who could have revealed her identity.
Taking a deep breath, she walked over.
"I thought I made it difficult for anyone to find me." She laughed lightly before taking a seat.
"But it seems I still have room for improvement."
Jaden chuckled.
"Honestly... I probably never would’ve found you."
He set his coffee cup down. "I only did because I was desperate to apologize."
Clara blinked. "Apologize?"
She genuinely looked confused. "What exactly are you apologizing for?"
Clara recalled she didn’t ruin the cake then why was he even apologizing.
Jaden sighed but then said. "Tim."
The smile disappeared from his face. "I know he was the one who caused trouble for you that day. I reviewed the security footage myself. He deliberately pushed you."
Jaden shook his head disappointedly.
"When I confronted him...he admitted everything."
Tim had been working under Jaden for a few years now and seeing a well experienced feeling threaten by his a new comer only made him realise what kind of man he could be.
"He said he felt threatened and thought I’d choose you over him. So he tried to ruin your reputation before you had the chance to prove yourself. All he wanted was a recommendation for me"