Chapter 14 Her Tie With Christopher It didn't feel real . Clarissa hadn't ruined the meeting - she saved it . She actually landed the contract ? When did this mess of a woman become capable of something like that ? Was Zack completely wrong about her ? And he wasn't the only one shaken . Even the executives who used to treat her like a joke now looked at her with a whole new kind of respect . " Everyone out , " Jonathan announced suddenly . His voice was cold , flat , and gave nothing away . The room fell silent . The executives looked at him , then at Clarissa , and quietly filed out . +5 Free Coins Zack paused . He didn't want to leave her alone with Jonathan , as he still didn't trust her . However , the order had been given , so he stepped out : Even then , he didn't go far . He stopped just outside the glass wall , where he could still see everything happening inside . Jonathan grabbed the remote with a cold , steady hand and lowered the blinds . In seconds , the room was sealed off from view . Zack could no longer see a thing from the hallway . The conference room turned silent . Only Jonathan and Clarissa were left . Clarissa took a slow breath . Then , she stepped forward , nerves tight in her chest . Jonathan didn't move . He sat still , his eyes cool and distant , watching her like she didn't belong there . She paused in front of him , heart pounding . Then , she dropped into his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck . " Jonathan … " she whispered , her voice barely hanging in the air . The warmth of her body caught him off guard . He tensed , stiff as stone . The ice in his eyes cracked , just for a moment . " Get up , " he said . His voice was flat , but the sharp edge was back . " No. " " Clarissa . " His tone cut hard , but underneath it , there was something tired , almost reluctant . " I'm not getting off . Don't you want to hold me ? " Her arms tightened around him . Jonathan let out a low breath , worn and irritated . " What are you trying to do now ? " " I'm not trying anything . I just want to be near you ." He didn't buy a word of it . It sounded too neat , too rehearsed . " Mr. Lawson cares more about his wife than anything else . That medicine you gave him - are you sure it's safe ? " " Yes , completely safe . " Clarissa shook her head fast , eyes clear . " You don't have to worry . If anything goes wrong , I'll take the blame ." " You'll take the blame ? " His eyes narrowed . " Why? " " What do you mean why ? " She blinked like she didn't understand the question . 1/2 Chapter 14 Her Tie With Christopher +5 Free Coins " Clarissa , you're smart . You could've stayed out of it today . Why take the risk ? Why step in to help me close the deal ? " " Because it only fell through because of me , " she answered quietly . It was my fault . I should be the one to fix it . So , it was guilt Jonathan's eyes lost their light . He didn't say whether he believed her or not . He just asked again , flatly . " You know Christopher the Miracle Worker ? " Clarissa looked surprised . " No. I don't ." " I got that medicine when I first came back to the Chandlers , " she explained like it was nothing . " My dad gave it to me . They felt bad I'd spent so many years stuck in the countryside , so they pulled some strings and got it for me . " There was no way Jonathan believed that . " I'll have someone drive you home . " he said , his voice cold again . Clarissa didn't move . Her arms stayed locked behind his neck . She hadn't asked the one thing she came here for . Not yet . Clarissa clung to him , her arms tight around his neck . His face was right there , every line and angle sharp like it was carved by hand . She hesitated , then bit her lip and asked softly . " Jonathan … Zack came to my house today . He gave me back the engagement pendant . Are you really ending this ? " Jonathan's eyes dimmed . Deep down . he didn't want to , but Clarissa had never loved him . She had tried to end her own life .. If he kept holding on , she might break again . And he couldn't stand to see that happen . If he couldn't keep her , he'd set her free . Still in his arms , Clarissa murmured . " I know I did a lot of things wrong . I really do . But I've changed . " I like you now , I really do . I want to marry you . Please don't break it off . " That plea made something shake inside him . It wasn't the first time she'd begged like this . She had said almost the same thing when he stopped her from running away with someone else . And when they got home , she cut her wrists . Now , she was doing it again . Jonathan had been pushed