Chapter 8 Their Plan Failed!
931 Words
Harper was going through some documents when her phone rang. Hearing Mia's question, she frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Claire's back. Our plan didn't go as expected! What happened last night?"
Harper paused, her expression darkening.
She was Claire's friend, but only on the surface. Deep down, she wished Claire was dead.
She envied Claire's beauty, everything she had, and especially the man she loved who only had eyes for Claire!
The plan was for her to invite Claire to a bar, drug her drink, and then find an excuse to bail. That way, Claire would be taken by the men Harper had arranged, left to their whims for a week before being released.
As for what would happen afterward, Harper didn't need to worry. Those men were homeless and nameless, so she had paid them enough to ensure their silence.
Even if Claire died, it would have nothing to do with her!
However, the plan had gone awry. Claire wasn't taken by those men.
Harper's contact reported that Claire was taken by a mysterious man, someone they couldn't identify.
Harper didn't care if Claire had been killed by that man.
After all, Claire had already been drugged. Whether she was harmed or trafficked, it was a win for Harper.
Who could have guessed that Claire would come back unharmed after just one night?
"Maybe something unexpected happened," Harper replied indifferently.
Mia angrily questioned, "Didn't you say your plan was perfect?!"
"Why panic? If it didn't work this time, there's always a next time. Besides, what else have you done other than barking orders at me?"
"I've done a lot! But you were supposed to handle this!"
"We'll discuss it later," Harper snapped, hanging up.
She stared at her phone, eyes narrowing as if plotting something. Then, an evil smile twisted her face.
This wasn't over, Claire...
Sooner or later, she would disappear for good!
Mia looked at her phone, now disconnected, and muttered a few curses under her breath.
How dare that b***h be so arrogant? Just because she was the mayor's daughter? She was just as insufferable as Claire!
If it weren't for trying to get Claire out of the family, she wouldn't bother dealing with Harper!
*****
The next day.
Claire had a long, restful sleep, feeling all her tension melt away.
When she woke up, her whole body ached, and everything from the previous day seemed like a dream.
But the fading hickeys on her body proved it wasn't a dream.
That really happened.
But at least she had escaped, hadn't she?
Thinking of this, Claire felt unprecedented relief.
Stretching to loosen her body, she went downstairs for breakfast, finding Andrew alone at the table, reading a newspaper.
"Good morning, Father," Claire greeted coolly.
"Hmm," Andrew responded, "I've already informed the company you'll be taking a few days off. You can get some rest at home."
The company was Andrew's, and Claire had been assigned a minor role. Despite this, she was expected to be involved in most of the company's affairs.
According to Andrew, her job was to assist her sister Mia in eventually taking over the company.
Claire didn't have the right to refuse such an arrangement.
"By the way, Father," Claire asked cautiously, "do you know anything about the Stacey family?"
Andrew put down his newspaper, frowning. "Never heard of them. If you're interested in some nobody from a small family, you'd better forget it!"
Claire didn't want to argue with Andrew, so she just nodded. "Understood, Father."
In the afternoon, Claire received a phone call.
The loud ringtone startled her, and she almost thought that Lucien had found her!
Thankfully, the caller was Alan Anderson.
Alan was her childhood friend. About a year ago, he confessed his feelings to her, and she had gently turned him down. Since then, she had been avoiding him.
"I just want to see you, just this once, okay?" Alan's voice was pleasant and youthful. When he pleaded, he sounded like a pitiful puppy.
"Alright..." she relented.
Alan was her best friend, so she couldn't be harsh with him.
They met at a French restaurant, decorated with roses and golden candles, looking both elegant and romantic.
Alan wore a simple white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, showing his well-defined hands.
His golden curls seemed to glow, and anyone who saw his face would think he'd been kissed by an angel.
Such a man naturally drew women's attention, just as he did now.
Alan spoke softly, "I heard about last night. Are you okay?"
Claire snapped out of the romantic atmosphere, "Yes, nothing serious. I just spent the night at the hospital."
Then, she asked, "Alan... Why did you want to meet today?"
"Well..."
Alan gazed at her beautiful face, momentarily dazed.
Their first meeting had been at a family banquet, where Claire wore a stunning red dress that made her look like a radiant flower.
She had been captivating, impossible to look away from.
Softly, he began, his eyes never leaving her.
So many years had passed, and the once-innocent girl had grown into an elegant woman, her beauty as stunning as ever.
"We've known each other for seven years now...
"Claire! Alan!" A bright female voice interrupted Alan's confession.
Claire turned, surprised. "Harper!"
Harper wore a sexy skirt, her hair fashionably curled, exuding a bold personality.
She apologized to Claire, "I heard about what happened yesterday. I'm sorry. If I hadn't had to work late, it wouldn't have happened."
Claire was taken aback. "It's okay. It wasn't your fault. But where did you hear about it?"
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