Chapter 3 Severed Ties, Unfinished Vengeance

Genesis parents looked appalled. Although Clara had not grown up under their care, she still carried the Genesis bloodline. Seeing her in such a disgraceful state was humiliating for them. When Clara had first announced her intention to sever ties with them, a part of them had felt reluctant. But after witnessing this scene, they became eager to let her go, as if she had never existed in their lives.

Cassie, having achieved her goal, stood up with feigned regret. "I'm sorry, Clara. I didn't know you were with someone last night..."

"Cassie!" Mrs. Genesis hurried forward, covering Cassie's eyes as if shielding her from an unspeakable sight. "Don't look, it's inappropriate!"

Clara let out a cold sneer. Cassie buried herself in her adoptive mother's arms, her expression filled with guilt. "Mom, it's all my fault. If I hadn't lost my balance and accidentally torn Clara's clothes, she wouldn't have been exposed like this."

"Silly child, this has nothing to do with you. It's her own fault for being ill-behaved," Mrs. Genesis said, her glare filled with disdain as she looked at Clara.

Clara calmly picked up her clothes and slipped them back on. Her movements were slow, controlled. Then, she turned to Cassie and said, "You should be sorry. After all, wasn't it you who arranged for the man last night?"

Cassie's face twisted with shock. "What are you talking about!"

"Clara, don't go too far!" Mrs. Genesis snapped. "You have lost your dignity. Why are you blaming Cassie? She has always been obedient and sensible. How could she ever plot against you?"

Clara scanned the room, her gaze sweeping over the faces of both families. The certainty in their expressions made her realize how futile it was to argue. Listing Cassie's crimes wouldn't change anything. They would always see Cassie as the perfect daughter, and Clara as the disgrace.

"She is well-behaved, and I am the wicked one," Clara said, nodding as if accepting her villainous role. Then she took a step forward, locking eyes with Cassie. "So, by that logic, it would be reasonable for me to hit her, wouldn't it?"

Mrs. Genesis frowned in confusion. "Are you crazy-"

Before she could finish her sentence, Clara had already yanked Cassie away from her mother's embrace. In one swift motion, she kicked Cassie's knee, sending her tumbling forward. Cassie crashed to the ground, face-first, a sharp cry escaping her lips.

Gasps filled the room. Before anyone could react, Clara straddled Cassie's back and, with sheer force, ripped her clothes apart, exposing her to the very humiliation she had wanted Clara to suffer.

"Ah!" Cassie screamed in horror.

The Genesis parents lunged to protect Cassie, while Mr. and Mrs. Flora rushed forward to restrain Clara.

"Are you insane?!" Mr. Flora bellowed as he grabbed Clara and shoved her to the ground.

Mrs. Genesis hurried to Cassie's side, shielding her from view. "I never expected you to be this deranged!"

She raised her hand, fury in her eyes, ready to slap Clara across the face. But Clara caught her wrist mid-air, gripping it so tightly that Mrs. Genesis nearly lost her balance.

Clara's voice was chilling as she spoke. "Compared to the evil deeds you have all committed, I am nothing." Her gaze flicked to each of them, as sharp as a blade. "Genesis family, Flora family-I warn you now. If Cassie dares to touch me again, I won't be so merciful next time."

She shoved Mrs. Genesis's hand away and turned on her heel, walking out without a second glance. As she stepped out of the house, she knew one thing for certain-this place would never be home to her again.

-

Clara arrived at her apartment in a daze. She felt nothing. No pain, no anger-just an eerie emptiness. Without hesitation, she packed her belongings, changed into fresh clothes, and booked the first available flight out of the country. She didn't care about the destination. She just needed to leave.

At the airport, the announcement for boarding echoed through the speakers. Clara moved mechanically, passing through security and finding her seat on the plane. She leaned her head against the window, exhaustion finally creeping in.

As the plane ascended into the sky, Clara's eyelids grew heavy. For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to rest.

Then the turbulence hit.

The plane shook violently, jolting her awake. Gasps and screams filled the cabin as oxygen masks deployed from above. Panic spread like wildfire.

A loud explosion. Then darkness.

-

Elsewhere, in a dimly lit room, a man sat on a leather sofa. His silk sleeping pants rested low on his waist, exposing a muscular torso wrapped in white gauze. Drops of blood seeped through the bandages, staining them crimson, but he remained indifferent to the pain.

A man in black approached, bowing his head as he held out a tablet. "Sir, we've found her."

Felix looked up, his dark eyes devoid of emotion. "Where?"

The assistant hesitated before speaking. "She boarded a plane. It crashed into the deep sea. Her chances of survival are... very low."

A suffocating silence filled the room.

Felix leaned back against the sofa, fingers tapping idly against the armrest. His expression was unreadable, but his voice carried a quiet command. "It doesn't matter. Find her. Alive or dead. No matter what, I must find the woman who dared to offend me that night and forced me into this situation."

The assistant nodded, swiftly leaving the room to execute the order.

Felix closed his eyes for a moment, his jaw clenching. Clara. He would find her. And when he did-she would regret ever crossing him.