Female Novel
Chapter 234
Brodie could recall with crystal clarity the days when Clara used to prance around in her overallsand her hair in pigtails. On her back was a birthmark resembling a petal, identical to the one shehad. The little girl would often tell him that if they ever got separated, he could find her just bylooking for that mark.
Brodie's brow furrowed slightly. Life couldn't possibly be that coincidental.
But then again, considering the string of bizarre incidents Clara had been entangled in lately, hecouldn't help but entertain the notion that she might have been switched at birth.
He masked his concern with a nonchalant tone. "Alright, I'll look into it when I get back."
Chief Fox raised his eyebrows in surprise. "You're agreeing just like that? They want to meet youover dinner, and you should know the specifics."
"No need. I've got a better idea of what's going on than they do," Brodie said, grabbing his thingsand making a swift exit.
He had this nagging feeling—if this was for real, Clara might be in danger yet again.
---
The weekend rolled around.
When Clara got home, she found Sasha sprawled on the couch, munching on potato chips andbrowsing through videos without a care in the world, seemingly unaffected by being cut from thecast.
Upon seeing Clara, Sasha jumped up and enveloped her in a tight hug, planting two kisses on hercheek.
"Clara, you're finally back! I'm starving. What's on the menu tonight?"novelbin
Clara dangled the shopping bags before Sasha's eyes, "Sauerkraut ribs, spicy crab, braised porkbelly, plus a few side dishes."
Sasha gleefully took the bags, her voice bubbling with excitement. "You're the best, Clara. All myfavorites! How about we just stick together from now on? Women need to stand by each other."
As Clara stepped into the kitchen, placing the fish in the sink, she said, "Look at the mess you're inbecause of me. Of course, I've got to make you something delicious to make up for it."
"Don't say that," Sasha retorted as she followed Clara into the kitchen. "Even if Heidi hadn't bootedme from the show, I was so done with it. The lead actress, Sonya, was making my life hell,constantly making me run her errands. Do you know who she really is? Heidi's cousin. They're all incahoots, not a decent one among them."
The more Sasha thought about Sonya deliberately ruining her costume and making her scrub thefloor on her knees, the angrier she got. She had swallowed her pride for the sake of survival, butthey had pushed her too far, framing her for tampering with props and injuring Sonya. They kickedher out, deleted all her scenes, and withheld her salary.
As Clara's eyes remained downcast, she chopped the vegetables with a steady hand, but her heartached.
If it weren't for her, Heidi wouldn't be targeting Sasha, who wouldn't have lost this hard-earned role.
"Don't worry," Clara said with a small smile. "I won't let them sling mud at you without consequence.I'm already looking into it, and I'll find out who's behind this."
"Wow, having a lawyer friend sure is amazing. My fierce Clara, I adore you!" Sasha exclaimedbefore planting a smacking kiss on her cheek.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
"It might be Ryker," Clara said immediately. "Go check, will you?"
"Oh my god, my little hunk is here! Let's see if he's gotten even more handsome," Sasha said with atinge of excitement as she ran to the door.
But instead of Ryker's expected face, she was greeted by Chase, grinning from ear to ear. Sasha'ssmile vanished as quickly as it had appeared. "What do you want, Chase? You're not welcomehere."
As she moved to close the door, Chase's laugh echoed playfully, "My dear apprentice, won't yougreet your mentor? You're losing your manners."