Free Web NovelChapter 220: Her absence felt ... deliberate.
Staying at the Scott villa for most of the afternoon, Liam finally decided to head to the company.
The quiet of the house had begun to feel heavier than usual, and work seemed like the only distraction he could rely on at the moment.
However, halfway down the stairs ... freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
Clara’s voice stopped him.
"Liam!!!"
He paused mid-step and turned to look back, towards her.
She stood at the top of the staircase, one hand lightly resting on the railing. Then, without hesitation, she began walking down toward him.
Liam waited until she reached him. When she stood close enough, he raised his brow slightly and asked, "What is it? Do you need something?"
Clara looked at him for a moment before slowly shaking her head. Then, instead of answering, she asked softly, "You’re going somewhere?"
"I need to go to the company," he replied, without explaining further. "Since you’re feeling better now ... you should get some rest. I’ll come back and see you later."
With that, he was about to turn and leave when Clara’s voice held him back again, more quieter than before.
"Are you unhappy, Liam?"
Her question caught him off guard.
He turned back to look at her, only to find her gaze lowered, deliberately avoiding his eyes.
"I said what I felt was best earlier ... to cover the situation," she continued, her voice laced with hesitation. "My fans are important to me. They’ve always supported me, no matter what. I couldn’t bear to disappoint them by telling them that ... I failed to meet their expectations."
Liam understood at once what she was referring to.
His expression shifted slightly, however, he didn’t respond right away.
When his silence stretched, Clara slowly lifted her eyes to meet his. There was a faint shimmer of tears in them.
"Do you blame me?" she asked.
Seeing her like that, fragile and uncertain, it was impossible for anyone to be harsh with her —least of all Liam, who had always cherished her as his sister.
"I don’t blame you, Lara," he said gently, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "But ... you need to see things for what they are."
Clara listened to him, silently.
"You’re not just anyone," he continued calmly. "You’re a public figure —someone admired and followed by millions. Your words carry a weight. Keeping things ambiguous might help in the moment, but in the long run ... it can backfire. It can create confusion ... and eventually, that confusion can harm you and others too."
Clara’s brows furrowed slightly — as if she felt wronged by his words. She understood what he was referring to. However ... she kept her reaction at bay, not making it obvious ...
"I didn’t mean to confuse anyone," she said, her tone came defensive yet soft. "I never take my words lightly. It’s just ... I can’t bear to disappoint the people who have always shown me so much love and care."
Liam hadn’t meant to reprimand her.
So when she explained herself like that, instead of feeling irritated, he simply softened further, taking it as an opportunity to guide her.
"People who truly support you," he said, his voice steady and reassuring, "... will stand by you through both your successes and your failures. One setback won’t change that. So don’t be so hard on yourself."
He gave her shoulder a light squeeze.
"You don’t have to live up to everyone’s expectations —not your fans’, not ours. Living up to your own expectations is enough."
Clara looked at him, her expression gradually easing as if she was taking in his words.
Then she nodded slowly like she understood them the way he wanted her to.
Seeing that, Liam smiled faintly.
"Now don’t think too much about it," he added. "Go and rest. I’m always there for you. If anything goes wrong, I’ll handle it." frёewebnoѵēl.com
He gently patted her head, his gesture —warm and familiar ...
Clara returned a small smile to him, watching as Liam finally turned to walk away.
She stood, her gaze following him until he disappeared from sight.
Only then did her expression change.
The softness faded.
The trust wavered.
If it had been before, she would have believed every word he said without question. She would have leaned on him without hesitation.
But now ...
Now, seeing how much he cared about Adelyn, she couldn’t.
"Liam ... don’t blame me," she muttered under her breath, her voice was low and edged with resentment. "You lost my trust the moment you allowed Adelyn to take something that I wanted."
Her fingers curled tightly, nails pressing into her palm.
"Why didn’t you choose me?" she whispered. "I’m your sister ... your biological-real sister. Adelyn should never even be compared to me."
Her grip tightened further, the pressure almost enough to break skin.
Just then, Matilda happened to pass by.
Noticing Clara standing there alone on the stairs, she paused.
"Young Miss ..." she called politely, "... do you need something?"
Her voice like that snapped Clara out of her trance.
Clara quickly composed herself, the storm in her eyes vanishing as if it had never existed. When she turned toward Matilda again, her expression was gentle and refined —just as always.
"No, Aunt Matilda," she said softly. "I just came out to see Liam off. I’ll return to my room and rest now ..."
Matilda nodded in understanding and was about to walk away.
Clara, too, turned to leave.
But then—
Something struck her.
She paused.
Turning back, she called out, "Aunt Matilda ..."
Matilda stopped and looked at her.
"Yes, Young Miss?"
Clara glanced around subtly, her eyes scanning the surroundings before she asked, "Where’s Mom? I haven’t seen her in a while. Is she upstairs?"
"Madam isn’t home," Matilda replied immediately.
Clara paused.
"She isn’t home?" she repeated.
Matilda nodded. "Madam left earlier. She also asked me not to prepare lunch for her."
Clara’s eyes flickered slightly.
Charlotte wasn’t home.
And for some reason ... that didn’t sit right with her.
After everything her mother had said yesterday —about securing the role for her —her sudden absence felt ... deliberate.
Could she have gone out for that?
The thought stirred something sharp inside Clara.
Curiosity.
Suspicion.
Anticipation.
Without wasting another moment, she took out her phone and dialed Charlotte’s number.
The call connected almost immediately.
After just a few rings, it was answered.
"Mom," Clara spoke at once, her voice soft —but carrying an undercurrent of urgency she couldn’t quite hide.
