CHAPTER ONE
Clara had never thought that one day she would be so eager for the body of a strange man.
"Don't touch me!" Felix was injured, lying in the back seat of the car with the door open. Genesis was weak, but his voice was still cold.
"I'm sorry..." Clara bit her lips, nervously unbuttoning Felix's shirt. Her petite and soft body climbed into the back seat. She knew she shouldn't be doing this, but under the torture of the drug, she really couldn't stand it!
"Hold on, lie down and don't move. I'll be fine soon..." Her face was flushed, but her actions were determined. "Please, help me..."
As soon as she finished speaking, her hot red lips kissed Felix's cold thin lips, blocking all his stern warnings.
It was raining heavily outside, but it felt like a fire was burning inside the car. She had no experience and was completely influenced by her nature and the drug. She kept asking for it again and again, not knowing how tired she was.
After an unknown period of time, the rain outside stopped, and the fire in Clara's body was finally put out.
She got dressed and moved off Felix's body. Looking down, she saw that Felix had fainted, his face pale.
Through the moonlight, she could clearly see Felix's handsome face. Her watery eyes trembled. It was the first time she had seen such a beautiful man. But she soon came to her senses.
Felix's abdomen was injured, and the wound was not small. She had aggravated his wound, and it was bleeding heavily. Clara was really ashamed.
Felix was injured like this. If she didn't deal with him, he would die! She looked around anxiously, only to find a first-aid kit in the car. She quickly found the medicine and bandaged his wound. Although not very skilled, she at least stopped the bleeding.
She breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Felix again. Judging from his clothes and the car's design, his identity could not be underestimated.
She wanted to be responsible for him, but considering the situation, it would be God's blessing if he didn't cut her into pieces when he woke up!
Clara didn't dare to stay any longer. After whispering a low apology, she got out of the car in a hurry and ran to the main road.
Clara ran home, and it was already dawn.
She stood at the door and saw the half-open door. Listening to the laughter coming from inside, her heart ached like a needle was being pricked.
"Dad, mom, it's all thanks to you last night. If you hadn't lied to her and drugged the milk, and then took her to the hotel and sent her to the old man's bed, how could our plan have succeeded so easily? I really thank you!"
Inside, Genesis was so happy.
"My child, why are you thanking me? It's my duty to do things for you! Back then, my mother worked as a nanny in the Genesis family and deliberately switched the birth of Clara with you. She wanted you to replace her and be the daughter of a rich family in the Genesis family!"
"Unfortunately, if it weren't for the incident at the east window, how could Clara have been taken back by the Genesis family?"
Mrs. Flora took Genesis's hand and said kindly, "But don't worry. Even if the Genesis family recognizes her, so what? They won't like Melody who has been defiled by an old man! You will be the most beloved little princess of the Genesis family, and the only daughter of the Genesis family! Clara, that b*tch, isn't even qualified to carry shoes for you!"
"Mom, I love you so much! Don't worry. As long as I am in the Genesis family, I will ensure you have no worries about food and clothing!" Genesis said happily, hugging her parents excitedly.
Mr. Flora's eyes were full of gratification. "Daughter, don't worry about staying in the Genesis family. Clara has been raised like trash since she was a child. She grew up in a third-rate school. What kind of family is the Genesis family? I'm sure they won't like her!"
"Dad! You are so nice to me!" Genesis was as happy as a little princess.
Standing outside and seeing all this with her own eyes, Clara felt cold all over.
She didn't know her origin until yesterday, but she had never thought of returning to the Genesis family to replace Genesis.
Before yesterday, she had thought that Mr. and Mrs. Flora loved her. Although her family was not rich, her education was low, and she wasn't smart, at least she had a happy family.
But in the end, this happiness did not belong to her!
Her heart was completely cold.
The room was peaceful and quiet. To her, it was just disgusting!
She turned around and left without looking back. Unexpectedly, she was stopped by a Rolls-Royce as soon as she walked out of the community.
As she was in a daze, the window of the driver's car rolled down, and a face that looked like hers poked out of the window. "Are you Clara?"
Seeing his handsome face, she realized his identity. This was probably her younger brother from the Genesis family.
Because she had been switched at birth by Mrs. Flora, she had grown up in the Flora family and had never met her younger brother.
"It's me." She maintained her politeness and gentleness. "Hello."
"What's so good about it?" Unexpectedly, the other party frowned slightly and looked very pale. "Yesterday I asked you to come to the hotel, but you didn't come. Now I have to trouble myself to pick you up. What are you waiting for? Get in the car and go home. Mom and Dad are waiting for you."
CHAPTER TWO
When Clara arrived at the Genesis home, the atmosphere was solemn. Her younger brother, whom she had only met once, seemed annoyed about having to pick her up. Genesis left her in the living room and went upstairs, leaving Clara feeling like a zoo animal being inspected by his parents.
Mrs. Genesis frowned upon seeing Clara. She was surprised at how similar Clara looked to her daughter, Cassie, yet felt disdain because Clara, who grew up with the Flora family, lacked the refinement and manners of Cassie. Clara didn't even know to call her "mother."
Mr. Genesis, Jordan, also looked displeased. Genesis felt that Clara couldn't compare to Cassie in any way.
"Dad! Mom!" Cassie's familiar voice broke the tension. The parents' cold demeanor towards Clara changed instantly as they hurried to welcome Cassie with smiles. "Cassie is back?"
Clara turned and saw Cassie leading her adoptive parents inside. Their expressions shifted upon seeing Clara there, but they quickly composed themselves, confident that Clara's night in the hotel would soon ruin her standing.
Cassie, feigning concern, said, "Dad, Mom, now that Clara is back, it's time for me to leave and give her her rightful place."
Mrs. Genesis held Cassie's hand, distressed. "Silly child, what are you talking about? You will always be the little princess of our family. Even with Clara here, we will love you just as much."
Mr. Genesis echoed his wife's sentiment. "Cassie, you have been our daughter for the past 20 years. Clara may have returned, but our love for you will never wane."
Cassie's mother looked at Clara sternly. "We won't treat you poorly, Clara, but we won't diminish Cassie's living standards for you. Remember, you are not to cause trouble for Cassie."
Clara felt cold and detached. She didn't need the love of a family who never wanted her, whether it was her birth family or the one that raised her. The more she smiled, the colder she felt inside.
"Mrs. Genesis," Clara began, startling Mrs. Genesis with the formal address. "I'm not here to stay. I'm here to inform you that I don't want to be part of the Genesis family, nor do I want anything to do with the Floras."
Mr. Flora's face darkened. "How dare you!"
Clara's response was icy. "How dare I? You replaced me at birth for your daughter's benefit and raised me in your home. Now you have the nerve to yell at me?"
Mrs. Flora shouted, "That's not true!"
Clara remained calm. "You know it is. God sees all. Your actions will catch up with you."
Unable to argue, Mrs. Flora was left speechless. Clara turned to her biological parents and said, "Mr. and Mrs. Genesis, consider Cassie your daughter. From now on, I have no connection to either of your families."
As Clara turned to leave, Cassie hurried to catch up with her, intentionally or not, tripping and pulling Clara's skirt. The already torn fabric gave way, revealing Clara's skin marked with visible signs of her recent ordeal.
For a moment, the entire room fell silent.
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.