Between Love And Lies

Chapter 4: A move she didn't see coming

Clara didn’t remember the drive home. One moment she was leaving the company building, her mind still stuck in that boardroom, and the next, she was standing in front of the house, her hand already on the door.

She pushed it open quietly. The house was calm.

Her heels clicked softly against the marble floor as she stepped in. Her movements were slower than usual, as though she wasn’t fully present.

“Welcome back, Miss Clara” Tessa’s voice came from the dining area. Clara didn’t respond. She didn’t even look at her. She just walked past, straight, and silently. That alone said enough. Tessa's eyes followed her until she disappeared up the stairs. Her expression didn't change much, but her grip on the tray in her hands tightened slightly. She knew something was wrong.

A second later, she turned and walked into the inner hallway.

Victoria was seated comfortably, a cup of tea resting in her hand like nothing in the world could disturb her.

Melissa stood by the window, scrolling lazily through her phone.

Tessa stepped in. “She’s back,” she said quietly.

Victoria didn’t look up immediately. “Did she say anything?”

“No, ma’am,” Tessa replied. “She went straight to her room.”

Melissa let out a small scoff. “Already breaking.”

Victoria lifted her gaze then, finally looking at her daughter. “No,” she said calmly, her voice soft but firm. “Clara doesn’t break easily.”

Melissa tilted her head. “Then what?”

Victoria took a slow sip of her tea before setting the cup down. A hint of a smile touched her lips. “But she will.”

Upstairs, Clara closed her bedroom door and leaned against it for a second. Her eyes shut briefly.

Then she slowly pushed herself away and walked toward the bed, sitting at the edge.

Her fingers pressed against her temple.

“Think,” she murmured. Her voice sounded steady, but her thoughts weren’t.

Her father’s voice echoed in her head. The reluctance…

No, that wasn’t guilt, that was something else. Something she couldn't understand.

Clara’s eyes opened slowly. “He doesn’t know” she muttered. And somehow, it made everything worse. Because if her father didn’t know, then someone else was moving things behind his back.

Her jaw went rigid, then she reached for her phone, and after a second thought, she dialed.

The line rang twice, then the person picked.

“Hey.” That familiar voice came. Low, but smooth.

Clara inhaled quietly. “Dorian.”

A small smile slipped into his voice. “Clara… how are you doing?”

She didn’t respond to that. Instead, she said softly, “I need your help.”

“With what?” He asked, then chuckled lightly. “You only call me when you need something.”

Her eyes closed briefly. “Please… it’s urgent.” Dorian paused for a second.

“…What happened?” He finally asked.

Clara sat up straighter, her fingers clenched around her phone.

“There’s something wrong at the company,” she said. “Files are being restricted and decisions are being made without my knowledge.”

“…hmmm,” Dorian said slowly. “And you thought of me.”

She let out a breath. “I didn’t know who else to call.”

There it was. Honest, simple, and just vulnerable enough.

Dorian hummed softly, like he was thinking… or just enjoying it. “Come to my office tomorrow morning,” he said. “9 a.m.”

Clara hesitated. “Dorian…”

“Clara,” he cut in gently, but firmly. “If you want my help… come. Don't be late.” After saying that, he hung up.

Clara lowered her phone slowly and sank into the bed.

Across the city, Dorian leaned back in his chair, his phone still in his hand.

A slow smile spread across his face as he dialed another number. The call connected quickly.

“Well?” Melissa’s voice came first.

Dorian’s smile deepened. “She called.” Then there was a short silence. Melissa laughed softly. “I knew it,” she said

“And… she’s coming to see me tomorrow,” Dorian added proudly, leaning forward a bit.

Melissa didn’t hesitate. “Good.”

Dorian’s eyes darkened as he ended the call.

He swiveled in his chair, slow, matching the pace of his thoughts. “Clara…” he said lazily.

The next morning, Clara stood in front of Dorian’s office building. She adjusted her bag slightly before walking in.

The receptionist greeted her politely, but she barely noticed.

“Good morning, I have an appointment with Mr. Dorian,” Clara said.

“Your name, please?”

“Clara James,” she answered.

The receptionist nodded. “Please go up. His assistant will direct you.”

Clara thanked her briefly and headed toward the elevator.

Dorian’s office felt exactly like him. Clean, controlled, and sharp. He stood by the window when she walked in.

“On time,” he said without turning.

Clara stepped in fully. “You said nine.”

He turned slowly, his gaze settling on her. “You look tired.”

“I didn’t come here for that,” she said.

A faint smile touched his lips. “I know.”

He stepped closer. Not touching, but close enough that she had to choose not to move.

“Tell me everything.”

Then Clara spoke. Calm. Precise. She laid it out: the documents, her father, the man.

Dorian listened without interrupting. When she was done, he nodded slightly.

“…I’ll look into it,” he said.

Clara studied him. “You don’t think it’s serious?”

He met her gaze. “I think someone wants you confused,” he said.

Clara’s brows tightened. “I’m not confused.”

Dorian held her eyes for a moment longer.

“…We’ll see.”

When Clara left his office, the air outside felt different. Lighter, but not better.

She walked to her car slowly, her mind replaying everything he said. Something about him didn’t sit right and she couldn't explain why. Still, he was the only lead she had.

The drive home felt longer. When she finally arrived, she didn’t go to her room.

She went straight to her father’s study and knocked once.

“Come in.”

Clara opened the door. Daniel James sat behind his desk, papers spread in front of him. He looked up immediately when he saw her.

“Clara.” His expression softened. “Come, sit.”

She stepped in and closed the door behind her, then took the seat opposite him.

“Dad… something is happening in the company.”

His brows pulled together. “What do you mean?”

Clara told him everything, while he listened quietly.

When she finished, he leaned back, as though he was thinking.

“I had no idea,” he said honestly.

Clara watched him carefully. She believed him.

After a moment, he continued. “If things are shifting internally, then we need to stabilize externally.”

Clara frowned. “What do you mean?”

Daniel leaned forward. “We need a strong partner.”

Clara’s eyes narrowed. “Partner?”

“There’s a company,” he said. “Hartwell Corporation.”

Clara stilled. “That’s… not easy,” she said.

“I know,” Daniel replied. “But if we secure that partnership, it changes everything.”

Clara moved back slowly, then nodded. “…I’ll try.”

“That's my girl." He said, visibly pleased with her.

" Ok Dad, I'll be in my room” Clara said, standing up.

The next day, Clara walked into the Hartwell Corporation.

The place was quiet, polished, and intimidating. She approached the front desk.

“Good morning,” she said. “I’m here to see your CEO.”

The receptionist smiled politely. “Do you have an appointment?”

“No.” Clara said

“I’m sorry, ma’am. He doesn’t accept walk-ins.”

Clara nodded once. “When will he be available?”

“I’m not sure,” the receptionist said

Clara held her gaze for a moment, then stepped aside.

She found a seat nearby and sat down to wait.

Hours passed with no results. Clara stood up and headed to the receptionist.

“Isn't your CEO coming to the office today?" she asked, obviously tired of waiting.

“I don't know, ma’am. He'll probably be in tomorrow."

“Ok then," Clara said, taking her handbag and leaving.

The next day, she came back. Same place, same answer, same silence.

This time, her patience snapped, and she walked back to the desk.

“Do you people even know how to do your jobs?” Clara said, her voice sharp but controlled.

The receptionist blinked. “Ma’am…”

“I’ve been here for two days,” Clara continued. “No answers, no direction. Nothing.”

A few people turned to look. “Forget it.” Her voice dropped. “I’m done wasting my time.” She turned sharply, and bumped into someone. The impact wasn’t hard, but enough.

Her bag slipped from her hand, files scattered across the floor.

Clara sucked in a breath, irritation flaring instantly.

“Are you blind? Can’t you watch where you’re going?”

The man didn’t move. Not immediately.

Clara crouched a little, grabbing her things quickly.

All she noticed was a dark, expensive fabric, a watch that probably cost more than most people earned in months, and a presence. Strong. Unshaken.

Then his voice came. Calm and leveled. “You ran into me.”

Clara let out a short, disbelieving breath.

“And so what?”

She stood up fully now, finally looking in his direction, but not long enough to really see him. “Move.”

And just like that, she brushed past him. Angry. Done. Gone.

Behind her, the man didn’t move. Not for a second. His gaze followed her retreating figure slowly and carefully.

“…Interesting,” he murmured. A staff member rushed over.

“Sir, the board is waiting.” But there was no response from him.

“Mr. Julian?” Julian turned, and walked away.

Clara didn’t look back. She didn’t know she

had just walked away from the one person she came to find. And insulted him, without even realizing it.