Chapter 3 CLARA MASON

"Stop! Don't come any closer!" Francis yelled, his voice shaking as he nursed his bruises. "I won't touch the girl, but kill that boy for me, he's a fraud!"

The bodyguards sneered, kicking Francis again. "Still barking orders, are we? Who do you think you are?"

Francis groaned in pain, glaring at the bodyguards. "You work for me! Obey me!"

Another hard kick silenced his protests as Richard stepped forward, observing the scene with a cold, calculating gaze. "Enough," he commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos like a blade.

The bodyguard paused mid-kick, glancing at Richard. " Are you sure, boss?"

Richard nodded. "Let's not waste energy on a lesson that won't stick." His sharp gaze turned to Victoria. "Now, you. How do you know this fool?"

Victoria crossed her arms, standing tall despite the tension. "I should ask you the same thing. Why are you involved with someone like him?"

Richard raised a brow, clearly unimpressed. "First day here, and you're already tangled up with a thug like Francis? What's the story?"

"I didn't plan this!" Victoria snapped, gesturing toward Jack. "I just saw my ex-classmate, Jack Mason, from Racoon Village and came over to say hi.

Then this 'fatso' started ranting about how Jack has no right to the Mason name, calling him a fraud.

I defended him, and Francis lost it, calling in his backup to 'silence us.'" She jabbed a finger toward Francis. "So, tell me, are you his babysitter?"

"Not anymore," Richard said flatly. His attention shifted to Jack, who stood silently, his posture calm despite the heated atmosphere. Richard frowned, studying him. "You said your name is Mason?"

Jack nodded, his voice steady. "That's right. Jack Mason."

Richard's expression darkened, the name clearly striking a chord. "And that's your last name?"

Victoria chimed in before Jack could answer. "Yes, it is. Why? What's the big deal about the name Mason? You doubting him too?"

Ignoring her, Richard gestured to the bodyguard. "Let him up."

The bodyguard stepped back, allowing Francis to scramble to his feet. Francis's face was swollen, tears streaming down his cheeks as he stumbled toward Victoria.

"I'm sorry!" he blurted, his voice thick with humiliation. "Please, forgive me!"

Victoria rolled her eyes. "It's Jack you should be apologizing to, not me."

Francis's anger spiraled like a brittle twig. He turned, pointing a trembling finger at Jack. "It's Jack, not Mason! Stop stealing the Mason name! If you're caught, you'll-"

Jack took a step forward, his voice cutting through Francis's rant. "I'll what, Francis? Say it."

Before Francis could respond, his phone buzzed. He fumbled to answer it, his trembling hands holding it to his ear. "H-Hello, Mum," he stammered.

On the other end, a sharp, commanding voice barked through the speaker. "Francis! What's going on? Did you just say someone's impersonating the Mason name?"

"Y-Yes, Mum," Francis stuttered, glancing nervously at Richard. "But Richard's here. He's handling it."

"Put Richard on the phone!" she snapped.

Francis hesitated, then handed the phone to Richard, who shook his head and hit the speaker button instead.

"Mrs. Mason," Richard said icily.

Her voice rang out, furious and imperious. "Richard! Why haven't you broken that impostor's legs yet? Drag him to me, I want that idiot buried alive for daring to use our name!"

Richard's expression didn't change. "Ma'am," he said calmly, "consider my contract with your son terminated. Effective immediately."

"You dare?" she screamed.

"You think you can quit? We made you, Richard. We can destroy you just as easily! I'm sending my husband's guards to finish this now!"

Before she could continue, Richard ended the call, tossing the phone onto a nearby table. Francis stared at him, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

"Brother Richard," Francis whimpered, "please, I didn't mean it. I just wanted you to handle the impostor-"

"Enough!" Richard barked. His gaze swept the room. "Francis, send your mother the address."

Francis hesitated, but a sharp glare from Richard made him comply. He quickly typed out a message and hit send.

The door burst open moments later, splinters flying as Mrs. Mason stormed in with her lead bodyguard, Bossy, and six other guards. Her sharp eyes immediately sought out Francis, who whimpered and pointed at Jack.

"There!" Francis cried. "He's the impostor, Mum! Over there!"

Mrs. Mason turned her icy glare to Jack. "You. Step forward. Now."

Jack remained still, his expression calm but resolute. Victoria stepped closer to him, her voice steady. "You have no right to accuse him of anything."

Mrs. Mason sneered. "And who are you to interfere?"

Richard stepped between them, his tone like ice. "Madam Clara, your son started this mess. Jack and Victoria are under my protection. If you want to question anyone, start with Francis."

"Protection?" she repeated, her voice dripping with disdain. "You think you can shield a fraud? I want him brought to me. Now."

Jack finally spoke, his voice cutting through the tension. "You want answers? Ask me directly. But let me be clear, I don't owe you or your family anything."

Mrs. Mason's eyes narrowed, her face went pale as she took in Jack's features. He resembled someone she hadn't seen in years. Rita Mason. Her voice faltered. "Who... who are you?"

Richard stepped forward, his voice low and warning. "Madam Clara, tread carefully. You're not ready for the answers you're demanding."

The room was filled with tension as Clara Mason's sharp gaze locked onto Jack. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice trembling, though she tried to maintain her usual icy authority, she was worried he may be a Mason.

Jack didn't flinch. He met her eyes steadily, his voice calm. "I'm Jack Mason. That's all you need to know."

"Jack Mason?" Clara scoffed, her lips curling into a sneer. "You think you can just walk around using our name without consequences? Who put you up to this? Who are you, really?"

"I've always been Jack Mason," he replied firmly. "That's my name, whether you like it or not."

Clara's face twisted with disdain. She turned to Francis, who was rubbing his swollen cheek. "This is the boy you're talking about? He's the reason you're running to me like a frightened child?"

Francis nodded frantically. "Yes, Mum. He's a fraud, and he's been using the family name for years!"

Victoria couldn't hold back any longer. "Oh, give it a rest, Francis!" she snapped, stepping forward. "Jack didn't 'steal' anything. He's more of a Mason than you'll ever be!"

"Stay out of this!" Clara barked, pointing at her. "This doesn't concern you."

"It does concern me," Victoria fired back. "Jack's my friend, and I've known him longer than any of you. He doesn't need to explain himself to anyone-especially not you."

"Victoria, enough," Richard interjected, his voice low but commanding. He turned to Clara, his expression unreadable. "You're making this a bigger issue than it needs to be, Clara."

Clara's gaze snapped to him, her tone venomous. "Stay out of this, Richard. This is Mason family business."

"And you think you're the gatekeeper of that name?" Richard shot back, his tone turning icy. "Last I checked, you married into it. You're not a Mason by birth. So spare me the lecture about family business."

Clara roared, her fury barely contained. "How dare you speak to me like that? You're nothing but a glorified bodyguard."

"Not anymore," Richard said coolly. "And for the record, I don't work for hypocrites who think the world revolves around them."

Before Clara could respond, Bossy, her lead bodyguard, stepped forward, towering over the group. "Madam, do you want us to deal with him now?" he asked, his tone professional but threatening.

Richard's lips curled into a humorless smile. "Try it. I dare you."

The room fell silent, the weight of Richard's words hanging in the air. Bossy hesitated, glancing at Clara for confirmation.

"You heard me," Clara snapped, pointing at Jack. "Take that boy and bring him to me."

Before anyone could move, Jack stepped forward, his expression unwavering. "No need to drag me anywhere. I'm right here. Say whatever you want to say, but I'm not afraid of you."

Clara's eyes narrowed as she studied him, her suspicion deepening. There was something hauntingly familiar about him-his features, his presence. It stirred memories she had buried long ago. "Who are your parents?" she asked abruptly.

Jack hesitated, his jaw tightening. "I don't know my parents."

"Convenient," Clara said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Let me guess-you've crafted this whole sob story to make yourself seem innocent while leeching off our name."

"Enough!" Victoria shouted, stepping in front of Jack. "You're out of line, Clara."

Clara smirked, her gaze flicking to Victoria. "And who are you to defend him? Do you even know his past? His bloodline?"

"I know his heart," Victoria shot back. "And that's more than enough."

"Then you're as foolish as he is," Clara sneered. She turned to Francis. "Let's go. We're done here."

But Francis wasn't ready to let it go. "Mum, you can't just leave it like this! He's been parading around as one of us! We need to-"

"Francis," Clara snapped, cutting him off. "We're leaving."

Richard stepped aside, his gaze steady as Clara and her entourage moved toward the door. But before she exited, Clara stopped, glancing back at Jack one last time. "This isn't over," she said coldly. "I'll find out who you really are. And when I do, you'll regret ever crossing me."

Jack didn't respond, his expression unreadable as he watched her leave.

As soon as the door closed behind Clara, the tension in the room seemed to lift. Victoria let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

"Unbelievable," she muttered. "That woman is insufferable."

Jack turned to Richard, his voice measured. "Thank you for stepping in."

Richard studied him for a moment before nodding. "You held your own. That's more than most people can say after going head-to-head with Clara Mason."

Jack frowned. "What's her problem, anyway?"

"Power," Richard said simply. "And fear. She's built her life on the Mason name, and the thought of someone else carrying it-someone she doesn't control-terrifies her."

"She looked at me like..." Jack trailed off, his thoughts racing. "Like she recognized me."

Richard's expression shifted slightly, but he didn't elaborate. "She'll be back. People like her don't let things go easily."

Victoria folded her arms, her tone defiant. "Let her come back. She can't scare us."

Richard gave a faint smile. "Spoken like a true Zach. But don't underestimate Clara. She plays dirty."

Jack glanced at Victoria, then back at Richard. "What do I do now?"

"Live your life," Richard said firmly. "Don't let her intimidate you. And if she tries to mess with you again, you've got allies."

Jack nodded, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. "Thanks."

Richard's lips twitched into a small smirk. "Don't thank me yet. Something tells me this is just the beginning."

Is it advisable Jack returns to the same hostel room with Francis? Victoria spoke on behalf of Jack, feeling Francis could not be trusted. Not after everything that just happened.

Why didn't I think of that? Richard murmured, he turned to face Jack. You live in the same room as Francis right?

Jack nodded '' Yes''

It's not advisable to return to that room. Do you have any friend or relative you can stay with till things are sorted out? Richard asked

None that I know of , I just came newly, the only friends I have for now are in that same room, Rueben and Sam.

''Hmm'' Richard sighed, ''This is going to be a little difficult''. While deep in thoughts. Victoria's voice cut in

Richard, ''can I suggest something?''

''Go ahead''

''If it's not too much can Jack move in with us? you have lots of spare rooms that are vacant at the moment'' she stared at Richard hoping she wasn't over stepping her boundaries.

Jack was surprised Victoria could go all out for him, considering the fact they were never close while he dated her best friend Lucy. Was he wrong, assuming she was one of those who looked down on him and called him a '' Hood Rat'' ?

''I seem to have so much on my mind'' Richard replied, turning to Jack again, '' Would that be okay with you? I wouldn't mind you staying at my place till we figure out what's with Clara and her son?

Jack was over the moon. He felt a little relief, although he had been acting all tough, he was also worried they may get at him, when alone.

'' I don't mind moving into your place, Jack replied and I am very grateful''

''Then it's settled'' Richard whispered softly as they all headed out of the bar.