Chapter 50: I still think you’re very handsome

After reassuring both himself and his family that everything would be fine between Clara and Hannah, Dominic finally left the Pearl Mansion.

At least...that was what he told everyone.

The moment he settled into the back seat of his car, he pulled out his phone. His composed expression disappeared. Without hesitation, he dialed a number.

"Boss?"

"Where are you?" Mark frowned at the unusual question before replying, "Just finished a meeting."

"Good."

Dominic’s voice remained calm.

"I need you to do something."

Mark straightened immediately.

"Anything."

A notification popped up on his phone. Dominic had just shared Hannah’s live location.

Mark glanced at it. "...A bar?" His eyebrow twitched.

Dominic closed his eyes for a brief moment. "Keep an eye on them."

"Them?"

"My wife and Hannah."

Mark blinked. "...Both of them?"

"Yes."

"Boss..."

Mark hesitated. "Am I protecting Miss Hannah...or Madam?"

Dominic answered without missing a beat.

"Both," he then paused for a moment before continuing.

"Mainly the people around them."

Mark was speechless. "...Understood."

"And don’t let them wander off."

"Yes, Boss."

The call ended. Dominic leaned back against the seat and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Drive."

"Yes, sir."

The black sedan disappeared into traffic.

***

Meanwhile...inside one of the city’s most luxurious rooftop bars, Clara stared blankly across the table.

Then she slowly looked at the nearly empty bottle sitting between them.

Then at Hannah. Then back at the bottle, and she mentally sighed.

This... escalated quickly.

When Hannah had called asking if she could accompany her somewhere, Clara had expected a quiet café. Perhaps a park or maybe a long emotional conversation.

She had definitely not expected a drinking competition with a heartbroken woman.

Across from her, Hannah emptied another glass in one gulp.

"...That scumbag."

Clara nodded. "Mhm."

"He cheated on me."

"Mhm."

"He lied to me."

"Mhm."

"He wasted my youth!"

"Mhm."

"He has terrible taste in ties!"

Clara blinked. "...I didn’t know we were criticizing his wardrobe now."

"We are!" Hannah slammed the glass onto the table. "I bought those ties!"

"Oh..." Clara nodded sympathetically. "That is unforgivable."

"Exactly!" Hannah pointed dramatically at her. "You understand me."

"I do."

"No, you don’t."

"I don’t?"

"You have my brother."

"...That’s true."

"You don’t know my suffering."

"...Also true."

Hannah suddenly sniffled before pouring herself another drink.

"I loved him for years."

Clara quietly watched her. "I know."

"I defended him."

"I know."

"I argued with you."

"I know."

"I even ignored my brother when he confronted me first."

"...That one I recently found out."

Hannah sighed dramatically before downing another glass.

"My standards were so low."

Clara tilted her head. "I wouldn’t say low."

Hannah looked at her.

"They were underground."

"...Fair point."

Another sigh escaped Clara.

She silently glanced around the bar.

Dominic is definitely going to blame me for this.

A waiter cautiously approached. "Excuse me, ladies..."

Clara looked up hopefully.

"Yes?"

"I was wondering if you’d like—"

"No."

"..."

"I... haven’t asked the question yet."

"You were going to recommend another bottle."

"...Yes."

"No."

The waiter slowly backed away. "I’ll... come back later."

The moment he disappeared, Hannah poured herself yet another drink. Clara stared at the growing collection of empty glasses.

Should I stop her? She reached forward.

"Hannah."

"What?"

"I think you’ve had enough."

Hannah narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"You think I’m drunk?"

"...A little."

"I am perfectly fine." She immediately tried standing, and her knees buckled, causing her to gall back on the chair.

"...The chair moved."

Clara looked at the completely stationary chair.

"...Of course it did."

Hannah leaned forward.

"You know what?"

"What?"

"I’ve realized something."

"What?"

"Men are stupid."

"...That’s a broad generalization."

"It includes Eric."

"...Reasonable."

"It might include Dominic too."

Clara immediately shook her head.

"No."

"Why not?"

"He’s only stupid occasionally."

Hannah frowned.

"How occasionally?"

Clara thought seriously.

"...Once every few moments."

"That’s still stupid."

"...I’ll allow it."

Hannah suddenly burst into laughter.

"So you admit it!"

"I admitted nothing."

"You did."

"I was being diplomatic."

"There is no diplomacy in marriage."

"...You’re surprisingly wise for someone who can’t focus on the table."

"I’m focusing."

"You’ve been talking to the salt shaker for the last minute."

Hannah slowly looked down.

"...It looked interested."

Clara couldn’t help laughing. For the first time that evening... Hannah laughed too. A genuine laugh, but it didn’t last long. Within seconds, Hannah’s smile faded again.

"He really didn’t love me..."

Clara’s own smile disappeared. She reached across the table and gently held Hannah’s hand.

"You’ll find someone who deserves you."

Hannah sniffled. "You think so?"

"I know so."

There was complete certainty in Clara’s voice.

"You deserve someone who chooses you every single day. Not someone who keeps looking for someone else."

Hannah stared quietly at Clara.

"You really mean that?"

"I do."

Silence settled between them. Then Hannah suddenly squinted.

"Wait."

"What?"

"You haven’t even had a drink."

Clara looked at the untouched glass in front of her.

"I wasn’t planning to."

Hannah gasped dramatically.

"So..."

"You think you’re stronger than me?"

"What?"

"You think I’ll get drunk while you sit there judging me?"

"I wasn’t judging—"

"You were."

"I was observing."

"Same thing."

Clara sighed. "Hannah..."

"No."

Hannah folded her arms stubbornly. "If we’re crying over terrible men...then we’re drinking together."

Clara looked at the glass. Then at Hannah. Then back at the glass.

Dominic is absolutely going to kill me.

She smiled helplessly.

"Fine." She picked up the glass. "I accept your challenge."

Hannah’s eyes sparkled.

"I knew you weren’t a coward!"

I never was, but I was never a good drinker

***

Ten minutes later...the table had gained another empty bottle.

"So..." Clara giggled.

"...did I ever tell you Dominic blushes?"

Hannah blinked lazily.

"...Really?"

"Mhm."

"I want pictures."

"I’ll get evidence."

Thirty minutes later...both women had completely abandoned any remaining dignity.

Hannah stood on her chair pointing dramatically toward the city skyline.

"ERIC!"

Several customers turned to look.

"You lost the greatest woman you’ll ever have!"

The entire rooftop fell silent.

One man slowly lowered his wine glass.

Another discreetly pulled out his phone to record.

Beside her, Clara stood up too.

She cupped her hands around her mouth.

"And Dominic!"

Everyone looked at her.

"I still think you’re very handsome!"

The rooftop became even quieter.

Hannah nodded seriously.

"Good confession."

Clara nodded back.

"Thank you."

Neither of them noticed the horrified expressions surrounding them.

Far below the rooftop...

A black sedan pulled to a stop.

Mark stepped out, looked up at the glowing rooftop bar, and let out a long, defeated sigh.

He had a very bad feeling about what he was about to witness.

And somehow... he already knew tomorrow morning was going to be Dominic Sterling’s problem.