Chapter 28 Seeing Stars and Moonlight Now
Clara Bennett pressed her lips together, nodded, and soon followed Jason Ford to The Heston Hotel, a sleek spot near Rainbow Trade Co..
Sure enough, two blond, blue-eyed foreigners were already waiting. Clara greeted them in fluent French, diving into her role as translator with focus and grace. The Frenchmen were impressed, and by the end of the meal, they'd sketched out a tentative deal.
Only then did Clara let a relieved smile bloom across her face. She raised her glass with poise, toasting to a hopeful partnership.
That's when Jasper White, passing by, caught the scene. He stopped, blinking, and really looked at Clara for the first time.
Jasper figured he'd seen every kind of beauty under the sun, but that smile? It was like every flower in the world opened at once—captivating, almost unreal. No wonder Mason Reed was dragging his feet about heading back to Central City. The guy was picking beauty over power.
Grinning, Jasper pulled out his phone and dialed Mason.
"Third Master, I'm at The Heston for a meeting—guess who I spotted? Your wife!"
Silence on the other end. Typical Mason.
"She speaks French, huh? Total sleeper skill," Jasper rambled. "These two foreigners seem decent, but the creep next to her? Slimy as hell—keeps draping his arm over her chair. Tsk..."
"Address."
"Huh?"
The voice turned sharp, icy. "I don't repeat myself."
Jasper snapped to, sent the location, and let out a long breath.
Clara walked the clients to the hotel entrance, waving politely as they left. She turned to grab her bag, but Jason Ford caught her wrist.
"You barely ate," he said, his words slurring with a boozy edge, his eyes growing bolder. "C'mon, let's head back in for more..."
"I'm good," Clara said, tugging free.
But Jason tightened his grip, his gaze roving over her—lingering where her blouse dipped low. "Clara, you ever realize how gorgeous you are?"
"Jason, you're drunk," she snapped, yanking harder.
"I'm not!" He lurched forward, pulling her into a clumsy hug, his breath hot and heavy. "Clara, I've never gotten over you. You're so much better than that bitch Stacy. If it weren't for her uncle's shares, I wouldn't give her the time of day..."
Her free hand slipped into her pocket, fumbling in a panic.
"Be with me," Jason pressed, "and I'll give you everything—except the title. More clients, bigger deals... Make me happy, and I'll pluck the stars and moon right out of the sky for you—"
A sharp yelp cut him off. Clara froze as a tall figure stepped in front of her. A few dull thuds later, Jason hit the ground like a sack, howling in pain.
"Seeing stars and moonlight now?" a deep, steely voice asked.
Clara's taut nerves unraveled at the sound. She threw herself into Mason Reed's arms, her hands clutching his waist, her face pressed to his chest. His steady heartbeat flooded her with relief.
Tears pricked her eyes.
Had he seen everything? Did he think she was flirting behind his back?
"Mason, I—"
"You're okay," he murmured, his hand gently rubbing her back. "I've got you."