Chapter 909: Clara Has It Coming

Tammy was slightly upset. Despite her moderate drinking and Susan’s absence from her table, she felt obligated to help intoxicated patrons. However, the sight of Clara asleep at the table made her hesitant.

Clara's inebriation stemmed from holding drinks for Susan, leaving Tammy with no choice but to retrieve Clara and place her phone, left on the dining table, in Clara's coat pocket.

Susan assisted, and together they escorted Clara to the limousine.

The secretary, seated in the passenger seat, grumbled, "Miss Susan, you should have left her. What do you care if she lives or dies?"

"We arrived together; leaving her would look bad," Susan explained, though she admitted to similar thoughts. Tammy found this surprisingly mature of Susan; in the past, Clara's well-being wouldn't have been a concern.

Silence filled the car as they drove. Then, a phone notification. Tammy quickly retrieved Clara's phone.

The locked screen displayed a message: "Caves Hotel, room 3020, how long until you arrive?" The unfamiliar number puzzled Tammy. She showed Susan the phone, asking, "Miss Phillips, does Clara have a date?"

Susan frowned at the message.

"Boyfriend?" the secretary guessed.

Susan shook her head. If Clara had a boyfriend, she wouldn't be gazing at Manuel, and certainly wouldn't be acting so recklessly. Susan, previously jealous of Clara and Manuel's relationship, had discreetly inquired about Clara. Clara didn't appear the type to engage in casual affairs, particularly given her family background.

Susan initially dismissed the text as a mistake. Then, a thought struck her.

She glanced at Clara, noticing she didn't appear truly drunk. Holding her, Susan felt Clara's body heat.

Remembering her own drugging incident with Philter, a chilling realization dawned. Clara had offered Susan a glass of water earlier, but had switched the drinks. Clara had intended for Susan to drink the drugged water.

Suddenly, everything clicked. Clara planned to drug and set up Susan at a hotel that night.

What a treacherous woman! To break up Susan and Manuel, Clara would stop at nothing. Susan’s caution had saved her.

Susan instructed the driver, "Go to Caves Hotel."

"Got it."

"Send her there?" Tammy asked, confused.

"Yes." It was Clara's own doing.

"Oh," Tammy murmured, "I thought Clara liked Mr. Johnson. It turns out she has a boyfriend. But how could she ogle Mr. Johnson? She's a bitch."

Susan found her words amusing.

The limousine arrived at the hotel.

"Marty," Susan called to the driver.

"Yes?"

"Help me get Clara to room 3020."

"Okay."

As Marty touched Clara, he flinched at her intense body heat, but remained silent, simply following instructions. He helped her into the hotel.

Tammy, slightly indignant, said, "Miss Phillips, you're too kind! Don't let Marty take her up; leave her at the entrance!"

Susan smiled, "You'll find out tomorrow."

Tammy, sensing a deeper meaning, remained puzzled. Susan offered no explanation. She waited in the car until Marty returned. He seemed hesitant to speak. Susan’s glance silenced him. She sent Tammy home first, then Marty.

"Anything wrong at the hotel?" Susan asked Marty.

Marty nodded. "After dropping off Miss Stern, I saw two men in the room."

Susan’s heart pounded. Clara was unexpectedly ruthless.

"The room number was correct?"

"Yes," Marty confirmed, "I double-checked. The man inside confirmed it. He seemed to be expecting Miss Stern."

"Okay," Susan said, "Keep this confidential."

"Understood." Marty nodded eagerly. It was his duty as a private driver.

The limousine reached Phillips Manor. It was 10 PM. Manuel hadn't contacted her. Was intimacy his only form of initiative?

Susan felt disheartened. The living room was empty. Had Manuel and Justine not returned? Men often fail to keep their promises, and Manuel was no exception. He’d promised to return early.

Entering her room, Susan found Manuel on the bed, looking at his phone.

Surprise and delight filled her.

"Why no heads-up?" Susan asked.

"I didn't want to disturb your work," Manuel replied.

"So you'd rather I risk my life for your money?"

Manuel was speechless.

"Where's your mother?" Susan inquired, surprised Justine hadn't retired for the night.

"She went to see your father," Manuel replied.

"Amazing, how affectionate your mother is to my dad!" Susan exclaimed.

"She went tonight because…" Manuel paused, "...we were too noisy."

Susan froze.

Manuel chuckled, "Too loud."