The Heiress Who Watched Them Fall

Chapter 2

The private room fell into dead silence.

Julian’s fingers holding the cigarette trembled almost imperceptibly, sending ash drifting down. He stubbed it out immediately, stood up, and took half a step toward her.

"Clara? When did you get here?"

"Clara, this is all a misunderstanding!" someone hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "She’s just a waitress. Julian was only joking with her!"

Clara’s gaze landed on the Pink Star Necklace still hanging around the girl’s neck. The diamond’s cold sparkle under the lights stung her eyes.

"Using a multi-million-dollar pink diamond necklace to joke with a waitress? Mr. Rivers, you’re certainly generous."

Julian softened his tone and reached for her. "Clara, this necklace..."

Clara stepped back, avoiding his hand.

"You can explain yourself at the station. Take everyone away!"

"I’m not going!" Scarlett, who had been curled up in the corner the entire time, suddenly stood up, tears streaking her face.

She yanked the necklace off her neck and hurled it at Clara.

The gemstone struck Clara squarely on the forehead. A sharp pain shot through her as warm blood slowly trickled down her temple.

"Take your filthy thing back!" Scarlett’s voice trembled, but she held her ground. "And Mrs. Rivers, please keep your husband under control and stop him from harassing me!"

Julian’s expression changed instantly. He stepped forward. "Clara!"

Clara wiped the blood away and silently blocked his hand.

Julian’s hand froze in midair before he slowly withdrew it.

"Clara, it was just a normal gathering. Nothing illegal happened. Why are you making such a scene and wasting police resources?"

He shifted slightly, subtly shielding Scarlett behind him.

"She’s still a college student. She’s innocent. A police record would ruin her reputation."

Clara clenched her fists. Julian’s obvious protectiveness toward Scarlett made her chest tighten painfully.

"Julian, do you really like her that much? Have you forgotten what you said when we remarried?"

Seeing that Clara refused to drop it, Julian’s expression darkened.

At that moment, Scarlett stepped out from behind him.

She took a deep breath. "Mrs. Rivers, you don’t need to see me as your romantic rival. I’m not like those rich women who revolve their lives around men. I’m very busy."

With that, she turned to leave.

"Stop right there!" Julian pulled her back into his arms. "You’re not leaving."

He frowned at Clara, his tone turning cold.

"Yes, I like her very much. She’s pure and innocent, unlike other women. It was love at first sight. Satisfied now? Now take your people and leave. You’re scaring her."

The words "love at first sight" slammed into Clara’s chest, leaving her struggling to breathe.

Years ago, when Julian had pursued her so publicly that the entire city knew about it, he had said the exact same thing—that it was love at first sight.

What once sounded romantic now felt disgustingly cheap.

At that moment, a team member’s phone rang. After answering, his expression changed drastically as he rushed to Clara.

"Director Miller is on the line! We’ve been ordered to pull out immediately. The operation’s been canceled!"

Canceled?

Clara looked at Julian’s unsurprised expression and understood everything instantly.

Grinding her teeth, she looked toward the stunned Scarlett.

"Miss Vance, if you’re willing, I can pay off your father’s debt. You won’t have to be anyone’s mistress."

Julian narrowed his eyes, his expression turning instantly cold.

But Scarlett, still in his arms, hesitated for a long moment before retreating back into him.

"There’s no need, Mrs. Rivers."

"Let’s go, Clara!" her colleague urged anxiously.

Julian stopped looking at Clara and lowered his gaze to Scarlett, his tone turning gentle again.

"Alright, all the irrelevant people are gone now."

He leaned closer, wearing that lazy yet affectionate smile again.

"So, can you seriously consider having dinner with me tonight now?"

Scarlett bit her lip. "You… are you really willing to offend your wife for me? And what you said about love at first sight… was that true?"

Julian chuckled and pinched her cheek. "Yeah. Every word was true."

Scarlett’s cheeks flushed as she lowered her head. "...Alright, I agree."

Julian’s eyes lit up with genuine delight. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and led her out.

As he passed Clara, he paused briefly and said softly, "Clara, don’t worry. You’re still my Mrs. Rivers."

His tone was gentle, every word cutting like a blade.

The room fell into dead silence again.

Blood from Clara’s temple began to flow once more, blurring her vision.

She left with her teammates supporting her and refused their offer to take her to the hospital.

She took a taxi alone, her pale, calm face reflected in the window.

She had never cared about the title of Mrs. Rivers.

Since her sincerity had long been discarded by him, she no longer needed to hold on to even a trace of affection for him.