Reborn as His Downfall

Chapter 2

Clara’s eyes lit up immediately at the sight of the food. In her past life, ever since falling desperately in love with Dominic Vance, she had completely lost her appetite, constantly anxious and wasting away. Therefore, in this life, she was determined to become a proper foodie and make up for all that wasted time. She picked up the bowl of fragrant seafood chowder from the table and began to eat, completely casting aside any regard for her image.

She ate so quickly that she didn't even notice a crumb stuck to the corner of her mouth. Her eyes sparkled like stars with every bite.

"Sir."

When Dominic entered the estate, the first thing he saw was Clara wearing a mint-green summer dress, her dark hair cascading down her back. She radiated a warm, sunny smile, her skin flawlessly pale, and her expression conveyed a sense of pure contentment. It was as if eating a simple bowl of chowder made her feel like she possessed the entire world.

There was still a little food stuck to the corner of her lips, making her look incredibly endearing.

Everyone has an appreciation for beauty, and Dominic was no exception. He liked beautiful women; with his status, power, and looks, countless women threw themselves at him. If he took a liking to one, he took her; if she wasn't initially interested, he negotiated terms, and if both parties were willing, she became his. The woman in front of him, currently devouring a bowl of chowder and some pastries, struck him as quite appealing. She was a fresh flavor he wouldn't mind trying.

"Miss Vance."

A deeply magnetic, commanding voice rang out, the kind that made a listener's heart skip a beat. In her past life, she had been completely captivated by that exact voice.

Clara put down her spoon and looked at the man who was now sitting opposite her with a smooth, practiced smile.

Although she had decided never to fall in love with him again, the man in front of her was so strikingly handsome that she couldn't help but be momentarily stunned. The twenty-eight-year-old Dominic Vance looked exactly like the man in her memory. His features were remarkably sharp and refined, more striking than a top model's, yet he didn't appear effeminate at all. His piercing, narrow eyes held an undisguised coldness and a dangerous, ruthless aura.

For an old-money dynasty like the Vance family to maintain its position at the absolute top, it was impossible without immense cunning and ruthlessness. Clara had heard dark rumors about him before—whispers that he was only fifteen when he drove his eldest and second uncles to financial ruin and psychological collapse, forcing them to jump from a high-rise office building.

Of course, none of that mattered to her now. All she wanted was to never see this man again!

“Mr. Vance, now that you’re back, I should be leaving.”

She was polite and well-mannered, refusing to give away any extreme emotions.

Dominic was somewhat surprised—not out of pure arrogance, but because so far, no woman had ever wanted to leave his presence so quickly.

"Miss, you took a bullet for me, and I haven't properly thanked you yet. There's no need to rush off so soon."

He reached out, his cold fingertips brushing across the corner of her mouth, the touch incredibly deliberate. Smooth, supple skin. If her body felt this good, she would be quite wonderful to possess. Thinking this, his gaze darkened slightly as he looked at her.

Clara felt that this Dominic was acting differently from the one she remembered, but she sensed immediate danger and tilted her head sharply to avoid his hand. "Mr. Vance, I think what you just did was highly inappropriate."

She looked like a cat with its fur standing on end, her glassy eyes filled with clear disgust.

That look of utter revulsion in her eyes was quite interesting to him. He had actually lived to see the day when a woman looked at him with distaste.

Dominic's narrow eyes curved slightly. "Miss, you simply had a bit of food stuck to the corner of your mouth."

He opened his hand, and sure enough, a tiny crumb rested on his fingertip.

Clara's face flushed a vivid red instantly; she felt utterly humiliated.

"Thank you for your help, Mr. Vance. I'll take my leave now."

She stood up, determined not to say another word to this man.

“Miss, you haven’t accepted my token of appreciation yet, so you can’t leave like this.”

Clara turned her head and said through gritted teeth, "Mr. Vance, you don't need to give me a thank-you gift. After all, I didn't actually intend to save your life."

In truth, she had just been incredibly unlucky. That day, she was merely walking through a quiet alley when he had grabbed her and pulled her in front of him, using her to shield himself from an oncoming bullet. She was completely forced into saving him. Forced!