Chapter 265: Try me

Zane squeezed his eyes shut, bracing himself as Ryan’s fist came flying towards his face. But before it could land, a voice cut through the tense atmosphere, leaving everyone stunned.

"Hey, kiddo, do you mind if I join?"

The unexpected question made Zane’s eyes snap open. The moment he turned towards the voice, his entire being went still.

Clara? What on earth was she doing here?

The three boys stared at the woman standing behind them. She was the very same woman they had been mocking Zane about just moments ago. Yet, what they had never expected was for her to actually show up and casually ask if she could join their little gathering.

Ryan immediately released Zane’s arm and took a step back. The arrogance on his face vanished, replaced by barely concealed panic.

"W-What are you doing here?" one of the boys blurted out.

Clara tilted her head, adjusting her glasses as she examined them from head to toe.

"Hmm? That’s an interesting question." She smiled pleasantly. "I was actually wondering the same thing. Three perfectly healthy boys, cornering one smaller boy in an empty corridor. Is this some kind of school activity I haven’t heard about?"

The boys exchanged uncomfortable glances.

"N-No! We were just talking!" Ryan stammered.

"Really?" Clara’s smile widened. "Because from where I was standing, it looked more like one of you was about to rearrange his face without his permission."

She glanced at Ryan’s raised fist.

"Oh, sorry. Were you practicing boxing? My apologies. I didn’t realize the school had introduced such an exciting new subject."

None of the boys dared to laugh.

Clara took a step closer. "Although, I have to say, three against one seems a little unfair. Should I call a teacher, or would you prefer I find two more children so you can make the numbers even?"

"W-We weren’t bullying him!" another boy protested.

"Of course not." Clara nodded thoughtfully. "And I suppose the three of you were simply holding a very enthusiastic discussion about the weather while one of you grabbed his arm and another prepared to punch him?"

She paused, looking genuinely curious.

"Tell me, is this how you usually make friends? Because if it is, I can understand why you need to travel in a group."

Zane stared at her.

What the hell?

He had expected Clara to lecture him, perhaps even scold him for getting into trouble. Instead, she was standing there, calmly dismantling three bullies with nothing but her words.

And somehow, that was far more terrifying.

Ryan swallowed nervously. "We should go."

"Oh, please don’t let me interrupt your little meeting," Clara replied sweetly. "I’m quite interested in hearing what comes next."

"Let’s go!" Ryan repeated, this time sounding considerably more desperate.

The three boys hurried past her, nearly tripping over one another in their eagerness to escape.

Clara watched them disappear around the corner before calling after them, "And boys? Next time you want to practice your fighting skills, try picking a pillow. At least it won’t report you to the principal!"

Their footsteps grew even faster. Only when they were gone did Clara turn towards Zane.

For a moment, the two stared at each other in silence. Then Clara folded her arms.

"So," she began, raising an eyebrow. "Would you like to explain why I had to rescue you from three walking school disciplinary reports?"

Zane’s face darkened.

Great. I survived the bullies only to end up with a much scarier one.

"No," Zane replied curtly before walking past Clara, completely ignoring her.

Clara stared at the boy, torn between disbelief and irritation. A moment later, her anger surged.

I was thinking way too highly of him just because he was being obedient yesterday.

Taking a few deep breaths, she forced herself to shove her irritation back into the pit of her stomach before following him.

Earlier, after waiting impatiently for Zane to come out through the school gates, Clara had finally lost her patience and called Dominic, asking him to find out where the boy was. Knowing Zane, he would undoubtedly find some way to cause her trouble.

She had barely waited two seconds before Dominic called her back.

"Uh, that was way too quick," she remarked in surprise.

However, Dominic simply gave her Zane’s location without bothering to explain how he had managed to find him so quickly.

Following the directions, Clara soon arrived at the designated spot. But the moment she got there, she froze.

A few boys had cornered Zane, trapping him with nowhere to go. One of them had his fist raised, clearly preparing to land a punch.

And suddenly, everything clicked into place.

So this is why he was groaning in pain.

Clara’s eyes narrowed as she watched the scene unfold. For a moment, all her earlier irritation vanished, replaced by a growing sense of anger.

No wonder the boy had been acting strangely. He hadn’t simply been trying to give her a headache.

He was in trouble.

***

Zane continued walking without sparing Clara a glance. However, the moment he reached the school entrance, he suddenly stopped.

His brows furrowed as he looked around, searching for something—or rather, someone.

"Where’s the car?" he asked, turning towards Clara, who was practically jogging to catch up with him.

The second she reached him, she bent forward slightly, placing her hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath.

"I didn’t bring the car today," she managed to say after a moment.

Zane’s eyebrows drew together even further. "Then how are we supposed to get home?"

"By cab."

The moment those words left Clara’s mouth, Zane shook his head in immediate refusal.

"I don’t take cabs. Call the driver and tell him to come pick me up."

Clara straightened, looking at him as though he had just made the most ridiculous demand in the world.

"Excuse me? Have you forgotten who’s in charge of you right now? There’s no car coming to pick you up. We’re taking a cab, so get moving."

With that, she pulled out her phone and booked a ride.

A few minutes later, the cab arrived. Clara opened the door and was about to get inside when Zane’s voice rang out behind her.

"I’m not coming with you!"

Clara slowly closed her eyes, silently counting to three.

Patience, Clara. Patience. He’s just a child. A very, very troublesome child.

"Fine," she said, turning around with a smile that was anything but reassuring. "Then I suppose I’ll have to call your mother and tell her exactly what I saw today."

Zane’s eyes widened.

He immediately stepped towards her. "You’re not telling her anything!"

"Oh?" Clara unlocked her phone and scrolled through her contacts until Maria’s number appeared on the screen. Her thumb hovered over the call button. "And why shouldn’t I?"

Zane stared at her, his expression darkening.

"Clara!"

"Try me."

For several seconds, the two stared each other down.

Zane knew perfectly well that Maria would never let this go if she found out what had happened. The last thing he wanted was to deal with her endless questions and worry.

Suppressing his frustration, he took a deep breath before stomping towards the cab.

Without another word, he climbed inside.

Clara’s face immediately brightened.

"Good boy!"

Zane shot her a murderous glare.

"Don’t call me that."

"Of course, sweetheart."

His glare intensified.

Clara, however, merely grinned as she closed the door and walked around to the other side. Sliding into the back seat beside him, she gave the driver their destination.

As the cab pulled away, she leaned back comfortably, looking rather pleased with herself.

Meanwhile, Zane sat stiffly beside her, staring out the window with a scowl unaware that they weren’t heading home just yet.