Free Web NovelChapter 30: Setting The Trap
Ethan’s explanation grew more and more outrageous with every word.
Yet somehow, Liam felt like his friend had a point. Going after the mother of your enemy really was the ultimate mix of psychological warfare and sweet, satisfying payback. No wonder the two of them had become such solid friends.
"Alright, put that money away properly," Liam said in a calm, steady voice. "Didn’t you want to buy that Nepalese kukri? Go buy it."
Ethan blinked, looking a little lost. "A kukri? That’s way too expensive."
"Just buy it when I tell you to," Liam replied firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Stop talking nonsense."
The next day, Liam and Ethan were back at Rage Quit Cafe, playing games like they usually did.
In the afternoon, Liam discreetly removed the cover and battery from his phone, slipped in a fresh SIM card, and sent a carefully worded text message.
"Mrs. Moss, your husband Zack Moss is planning to get a woman named Claire drunk tonight in VIP Suite 999 at the Grand Regent Hotel. He intends to take advantage of her. You should know about this."
After sending the message, Liam switched back to his regular SIM card and tucked the burner away safely. In 2010, grabbing an unregistered SIM card was quick and easy. If you lost one that wasn’t tied to your name, it was as good as gone forever.
He then opened Telegram and messaged Claire.
"Claire, what are you doing?"
Claire was relaxing in her bedroom, casually playing games on her phone while waiting for the evening business dinner.
Claire set her phone aside and walked toward the wardrobe by the window. Her fingertips drifted across rows of neatly pressed dresses before finally stopping on a light-blue one-piece that had always been one of her favorites.
It was elegant without being flashy.Simple, yet impossible to ignore.
She slipped into it and stood before the full-length mirror, smoothing the fabric over her waist. The dress hugged her graceful figure naturally, accentuating the mature elegance she had cultivated over the years instead of trying to hide it.
Her long, fair legs looked even more striking beneath the soft blue hem, while her shoulder-length hair framed a face that had lost none of its beauty despite the passing years.
Claire tilted her head slightly.A faint smile found its way onto her lips.
"I still look... presentable."It wasn’t vanity.It was quiet confidence.
Even after everything life had put her through, she had taken good care of herself. Time had added depth to her beauty rather than taking it away.
For a brief moment, however, her smile softened.She caught herself wondering...
Would Liam like this outfit?The thought lingered longer than it should have.
Almost unconsciously, her mind drifted back to the class reunion.
She could still picture the young man calmly pursuing Victoria in front of everyone, completely unfazed by curious looks or whispered gossip.
At the time, she had thought he was unbelievably bold.Almost reckless.
But the more she came to know him, the more that first impression changed.
Behind his confidence was remarkable composure.Behind his easy smile was a level of maturity few men twice his age possessed.
He was talented...Reliable...And strangely reassuring to be around.Without realizing it, Claire had begun looking forward to their conversations.
She enjoyed the way he listened.The way he always seemed calm, regardless of the situation.Most of all, she liked how comfortable she felt whenever he was nearby.
Her reflection blurred slightly as she lost herself in thought.
"How does Liam see me .The question escaped almost as a whisper.
Her heartbeat quickened.She lowered her gaze, feeling an unfamiliar warmth spread across her cheeks.
"He... does seem to admire older women."The memory of the night he protected her returned with startling clarity.
She remembered the determination in his eyes.The quiet confidence in his voice...
The way he stood between her and everyone else without asking for anything in return.
Then another memory surfaced.Their embrace.
It had only lasted a few moments, yet she could still remember the warmth of his body and how awkwardly he’d tried to compose himself afterward.
She can’t help but wonder to herself Does he really..see me as a woman?"The thought made her heart skip.
Almost immediately, she shook her head.It’s only natural."He’s a healthy young man.""It doesn’t have to mean anything."
She repeated those words to herself, trying to silence the growing flutter in her heart.
Yet no matter how she tried to reason with herself, she couldn’t completely dismiss the possibility.
After a long moment, Claire walked to her vanity and sat down quietly.
She picked up a small makeup brush and carefully refreshed the light makeup she had already applied.
A touch of foundation.A little color on her lips.Just enough to brighten her features without looking deliberate.
She brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear before studying herself in the mirror again.
"...Too much?"
She paused, then lightly adjusted the lipstick until it looked more natural.
"There."
Much better.
Only after setting everything down did she realize how much time she had spent preparing.
Claire stared at her reflection for several silent seconds before letting out a quiet laugh.
"What am I doing?""I’m only meeting Liam."There was no special occasion.No formal event.No reason to care this much about her appearance.
And yet...
Without realizing it, she had chosen her favorite dress, carefully touched up her makeup, styled her hair twice, and even changed her perfume before settling on one with a softer floral scent.
Her fingers lightly gripped the edge of the vanity.A complicated smile appeared on her face.
Somewhere deep inside...She hoped Liam would notice.Not because she wanted praise.
But because, for reasons she couldn’t fully explain, his opinion had begun to matter more than she was willing to admit it.
