Clara's pulse quickened. She scanned the room discreetly, looking for anyone she might recognize—a colleague, a friend, someone who could have vouched for Laura. Nothing obvious.
Nathaniel's hand brushed hers, grounding her. "You okay?" he asked quietly.
Clara nodded, forcing a small smile. "Yeah… just surprised."
Nathaniel's eyes flicked toward Laura again, narrowing slightly. "We'll figure it out," he said, his tone low but firm. "For now, let's enjoy the evening."
Clara tried to focus on Nathaniel, on the warmth of his presence, but a nagging thought lingered: Laura hadn't just shown up by chance. Someone had put her there—and Clara had no idea who, or why.
Nathaniel guided Clara through the crowd, his hand firm on the small of her back. When they reached a group of colleagues, he gave a confident smile.
"Everyone, this is Clara," he said, voice just loud enough for the nearby group to hear. "My fiancee, and the newest scientist on our team. Let's give her a proper congratulations—she just earned her PhD."
Clara was happy because she wasn't really introduced as his fiancee till later which made it feel as they weren't engaged.
Clara felt a warm flush at the praise, but it was immediately undercut by the murmurs that went through the group.
"Must be nice to get the job with him as CEO…" one whisper drifted past.
"Yeah… couldn't have done it on her own," another added.
Clara's stomach tightened. She opened her mouth to defend herself, but before she could, Laura stepped closer, a sly smile on her face.
"Oh, don't sell yourself short," Laura said loud enough for several to hear. "I mean, Nathaniel is CEO. It does help to have a little… influence, doesn't it?"
Heads turned toward them, some stifling laughs. Clara stayed calm as if expecting it— which she was but not this early.
Nathaniel's hand tightened around hers, his jaw clenching slightly. "Laura," he said smoothly, but the edge in his voice didn't go unnoticed. "Let's not make assumptions about people's work."
Laura shrugged, unbothered, and moved slightly away, still watching Clara with that infuriating calm.
Clara just stared. She straightened her back, lifted her chin, and smiled at the group, waiting for the chatter to die down. "I worked hard for this," she said firmly, her voice steady despite the murmurs. "And I'm proud of what I've accomplished, besides unlike some I have credibility to be here and didn't just come with no credentials."
For a moment, Laura's smile faltered, but it quickly returned.
Clara rolled her eyes. She's the one without a job, and here she is, acting like she can lecture me.
Nathaniel's grip on her hand loosened just a fraction, a small nod of approval. But Laura's presence—and the whispers—lingered but hushed.
"What?" Clara asked as Nathaniel looked at her with a confused look.
She could guess why he looked at her, it had to be because she talked back to Laura. Which the old her would have never done and let Laura belittle her.
"Did you and Laura have an argument or something." He asked because that would have been the most logical reason for what happened.
"No," Clara said solemnly, her eyes fixed on Nathaniel. "I just couldn't let her belittle me like that. She didn't even try to help—if anything, she made the situation worse. My accomplishments shouldn't be dismissed, no matter what. Friend or not, she wasn't allowed to disrespect me like that."
Nathaniel watched her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, a small smile curved his lips. "You know," he said, voice low, "I think that's the first time I've seen you this serious."
Clara arched a brow. "You say that like it's a bad thing."
"Not at all," he said, taking a sip of his drink, eyes still on her. "I just didn't realize you could look this confident when you're angry."
She let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "I'm not angry. Just… done letting people walk over me."
Nathaniel leaned a little closer, his voice dropping so only she could hear. "Good. Because you have no reason to let anyone, least of all her, make you doubt yourself."
Clara met his gaze, her breath catching slightly at the sincerity in his tone. "You really think so?"
He smiled faintly. "I know so. You're brilliant, Clara. You've worked for everything you've got. Anyone who says otherwise just can't stand that you've outgrown them."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The noise of the party faded into the background, replaced by the quiet tension between them.
Nathaniel smiled, his fingers brushing through a lock of her hair. "And besides, they're not wrong. You're my favorite—and wouldn't it be wrong not to favor my fiancee?" His voice dropped.
Clara felt her chest tighten. She couldn't stop looking at him. God, he was so handsome. Her mind went blank for a second, caught on the curve of his smile, the way his eyes caught the candlelight.
"Maybe… you can favor me a little more, then," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, but her smile gave her away.