?What do you want?? Lara asked, her voice cold and her mind in a mess.

She could at least pretend to be cool about the situation. Even if her family was one of her weak points, she didn't need to make them realise how interacting with them made her feel.

?Why didn't you answer earlier?? the woman inquired, taking the chance to scold her some more.

Lara listened to the end of her outburst, and she talked only when her mother was done.

?Since you've told me what you had to, we can finish this call.?

?Oh, no, you ungrateful brat. It's just the beginning. I haven't instructed you yet.?

?Instructed??

?You have to convince Nathaniel Woods to sign a collaboration with us. You know how to do it, don't you? It will benefit both of us.?

Lara leaned back on the sofa she was sitting on, her eyes lifelessly staring at the ceiling. How did that woman know about Nate?

?Why?? she inquired, instead.

?Because it will speed up our rise. The company has increased incomes lately, and we can skyrocket to the elite if we have just a little help. We need a boost in reputation; nothing more.?

?I was asking why I should help you,? Lara pointed out.

?Because he won't keep you by his side forever.?

?Are you sure about that??

?He's the CEO of one of the most stable companies in the world, and he rules over Norwich with no opponent at all. Such a man needs a proud and classy woman next to him. Not one with an unclear background. If we become part of the upper class, you can stand by his side without feeling shame. You can even ask him to marry you, in that case.?

?I don't care,? Lara said. ?I don't need marriage to feel fulfilled.?

?Oh, don't make me laugh! It has always been your dream, hasn't it? Marrying a businessman and becoming a socialite.?

?That was your dream, mom,? Lara said. ?I just wanted happiness and a family.?

?And you can have it. You just need to be appealing enough to CEO Woods. If he brought you out like that, he considers you as more than a simple fling. Congratulations! You caught his attention. But now comes the hardest part: keeping him interested.?

Lara rolled her eyes, wondering if her mother had ever been that blunt before. She did teach her how men work, but it had all happened in such a weird fashion... She hadn't been so direct.

?I can manage alone, mom. Just like I did so far. It's not easy to attract Nathaniel Woods's attention, indeed. But I am the one who succeeded. I don't need yours - nor anyone's - advice.?

?Ah, you're so arrogant right now. Is a man by your side really enough to make you talk like this to your mother??

Lara scoffed, amused by how the talk was evolving. If it wasn't painful, she would be having fun.

?It seems like it is. You told me what I am, mother...? She stretched the word mother, trying to say it with the same tone as Gracelyn did. ?I'm just following your nice suggestions. Do you still remember? Those you gave me when you threw me out of the house. I was too young to understand back then, but you were definitely right.?

?I'm giving you a way to clear your name. To become a proper woman, a wife. Don't you want to be a good mother? Don't you like the idea of being Mrs Woods? To do that, you need a background. We, Clayton, are an old, respectable family here in Sheton. If only we were at the same level as the other companies collaborating with the LY Corp, you would have a chance to become Mrs Woods. To be recognised as an eligible daughter-in-law by his family and as a proper lady by society. Right now, what do you have to your name? Nothing more than an old scandal.?

?So what?? Lara sighed. ?I like being the evil mistress, taking advantage of a poor and innocent CEO. You should be proud of me, mom.?

Gracelyn Clayton almost drowned in her own bitter thoughts. She breathed hard against the phone, but Lara pretended not to notice. She could imagine her mother's angry face.

Whatever that woman had in store for her was coming. She wouldn't have been able to keep her nerves in check after those words.

?Aren't you afraid Nathaniel Woods hears about your pregnancy? You slept with a random stranger... This is not something someone like him can forgive. A promiscuous woman? He won't have anything to do with you after hearing that.?historical

?Mom,? Lara said, rolling her eyes. ?Try telling him. Please, do it. Then call me again. I'm curious to hear about your collaboration.?

She then hung up and left the phone on the sofa. Her mother called again, but Lara just ignored.

She had forgotten to block that number.

When the ring stopped hitting on her ears, she pressed the commands on the phone and looked for the right one. After a while, she catalogued her mother's number as annoying spam and put the phone away.

Only when she was done did she notice she was not alone in the waiting room.

Nate was there, observing her with a keen eye. He was worried about her, and he had heard her weird tone from the other side of the hallway. He couldn't help but walk closer and listen.

It had not been his intention to eavesdrop. He just wanted to check her heart, breathing, scent. He was worried, not curious.

But then, he couldn't just un-hear that conversation. Something deep inside him was raging, fury threatening to cover everything else.

Still, priorities were priorities.

?Nate,? Lara said, getting up and taking a step towards him. She then stopped, realising that he wasn't as he used to be. ?Nate??

Had he taken what she said seriously? Oh, what kind of woman was she in his eyes?

?A poor and innocent CEO?? Nate murmured.