Chapter 6 – The Dinner Invitation
By the next evening, Clara was trying to convince herself her life was still normal.
Spoiler: it wasn't.
She was in the middle of folding laundry when her phone buzzed.
Unknown Number: Be ready by seven. Wear something formal.
She stared. "Who—?"
Unknown Number: Don't make me send a driver.
Her heart sank. "Oh no. He's got my number now."
At exactly seven, a car stopped outside her apartment.
Ethan Blackwood stepped out in a black suit that made her forget how to function.
"I didn't agree to this!" she protested from her doorway.
"You did when you got in my car yesterday," he said simply. "You're safer if I know where you are."
"Safer?" she repeated. "From what? Unsolved mysteries and your terrible personality?"
He almost smiled. Almost. "Get in, Clara."
She huffed but followed, muttering something about "CEO stalkers with control issues."
When they arrived, she realized the "dinner" wasn't a date.
It was a private business function — dozens of powerful people in designer clothes, flashing smiles and hidden agendas.
"Why am I here?" she whispered.
"Observation," he said, leading her inside. "Someone in this room knows where Mia is."
"Great," she murmured. "And I'm the bait, aren't I?"
He didn't answer, which was answer enough.
As they mingled, Clara did what she did best — talk. She charmed a waiter, complimented an elderly woman's jewelry, and accidentally tripped over the mayor's foot.
Ethan sighed. "You're chaos incarnate."
She grinned. "Thanks! I try."
Then, as she reached for a glass of water, she noticed something — a tall man across the room staring at them. Not at Ethan. At her.
He raised his glass slightly, a faint smirk tugging his lips.
Clara leaned closer to Ethan. "Uh, stalker alert. Nine o'clock."
Ethan followed her gaze, and for a split second, his calm mask cracked. His jaw tightened.
"That's Thomas Vance," he said quietly. "My biggest rival."
Clara blinked. "And he's looking at me why?"
Ethan's gaze darkened. "Because he knows something he shouldn't."