Chapter 297

"But I don't accept guilt-tripping!" Lemira retorted, turning to face Clara. "I've apologized," she said, "What more do you want?" Clara's words echoed the manipulative tactics Lemira had endured her entire life within the Langston family. "Lemira, how is this guilt-tripping? I already apologized. I just asked for a small favor, and you're acting all high and mighty. Who are you trying to impress?"

Clara, an only child raised in the city, was unaccustomed to pleading. She'd already humbled herself; what more could Lemira possibly want?

"For you to understand," Lemira replied calmly.

Clara erupted in tears, turning to Janice. "This is all your fault, Janice! Giving me that terrible idea to apologize to Lemira!"

Later, while scrolling through Facebook, Clara saw a post of Jackson confessing his feelings for Lemira, flowers in hand. She exploded. "So that's why you won't help me, Lemira! You've been seeing Jackson behind my back, haven't you?"

Janice, bewildered, asked, "Clara, what are you talking about?"

"I'm not making this up! Look at Facebook! Jackson just confessed to Lemira outside the dorm!"

Clara, who had lowered herself for unworthy men without receiving such grand gestures, seethed. Why did Lemira deserve this? Her anger escalated, her voice venomous. "So that's why Lemira deliberately wouldn't help. She's nothing but a tramp, with no parents to teach her manners!"

Lemira slapped Clara.

Clara screamed, "How dare you hit me!"

"You can insult me, you can insult my living family, but you will not insult my deceased parents!"

"Lemira, you dare say there's nothing between you and Jackson?"

Lemira sneered. "Jackson, that trash? I wouldn't even look at him, let alone be with him. Only you would stoop so low. Did you really think everyone is as blind as you are?"

"Lemira, I'm going to kill you! You small-town hick, who do you think you are, acting so arrogant?"

Clara was beside herself. Why wouldn't Lemira help her? How could Lemira so easily obtain everything she desired?

Lemira pushed Clara away. "If you're asking for a favor, act like it. Enough with the guilt-tripping."

"I did ask you!"

"Just because you asked, should I oblige? Ridiculous!" Lemira's resentment stemmed from Clara's condescending approach, as if Lemira owed her assistance. This manipulative tactic, reminiscent of her experiences with the Langstons, filled her with disgust.

Lemira changed into her workout clothes and left for the gym.

As Lemira departed, Clara's eyes burned with hatred. "If you're going to be ruthless, Lemira, don't blame me for what comes next."

Wiping away her tears, Clara immediately called Jackson. "[Jackson, I can help you win over Lemira, but you'll need to delete all the videos and photos of me from your phone!]"

Jackson, dejected after his rejection, resented Lemira deeply. Clara's offer seemed a golden opportunity.

"Deal!"

Seeing Jackson's reply, Clara glared at Lemira's bed. "Since you laughed at me for being used by that jerk, I'll let you experience how I felt!"

She was determined to destroy Lemira, to ensure she could never hold her head high again.

Janice intervened. "Clara, this isn't right."

"Shut up, Janice. Lemira forced my hand. Didn't you see how she lorded over us? I will ruin her!"

A cold smile played on Clara's lips. Janice, however, remained troubled, fearing Clara's actions would only lead to further self-destruction. Meanwhile, Lemira unleashed her frustration on a punching bag at the gym.