Chapter 17 He Had Finally Given Up +5 Free Coins Then , one by one , the other three sent the exact same response : a single " heh . The more Clarissa read , the more guilty she felt . Didn't you say you wanted nothing to do with us ? So , who's the dog behind the keyboard now ? " Christopher mocked . The five of them had grown up together in the same village . However , after the Chandlers brought her to Imperia , things . between them started to fade . Later on , when she got together with Gregory , they tried to make her break up with him , which led to several huge fights . Looking back now . Clarissa was convinced she must've been possessed - only someone out of their mind would throw away good friends over a se mbag like that . She quickly typed another message I was wrong about everything before . Please don't be mad anymore . I've really changed . When you all are free , let me take you out for a meal . How about that ? ' Alas , no one replied . Clarissa let out a sigh . Winning their forgiveness was clearly going to take some time . Meanwhile , in the separate four - person group chat , the discussion was heating up . " What the hell's gotten into her ? Christopher typed . Why is she suddenly apologizing ? Did someone mess with her ? " Probably got knocked down a peg . She's got zero conscience anyway . If someone did mess with her , she had it coming . Harsh as the words were , there was still a concern for Clarissa hidden between the lines . Maybe she's out of money . The Chandlers might've turned on her , and Gregory , too . I'll ask around . ' If she's broke , we can just send her some cash on the side . Christopher , you do it . I'm not sending anything . She cut ties with me herself - why should I be the one to give in ? That'd be humiliating . Despite what he just said , Christopher opened up the payment app and quietly sent Clarissa 20 million . Clarissa looked at the incoming transfer notice and smiled . Meanwhile , at the quiet and solemn Jefferson Manor , Jonathan was summoned to Gideon's study the moment he returned . " Kneel ! " Gideon struck his cane hard against the floor . Jonathan silently dropped to his knees , his back ramrod straight . " Why were you late ? Why did you stand Mr. Lawson up ? " Gideon's voice was cold and sharp . He was already over eighty , his hair completely white , but his eyes were still piercing , commanding a presence no one dared take lightly . Jonathan knelt there , stiff and silent , offering no reply . The sight only made Gideon angrier . He nearly slammed his cane down on him . Luckily , the butler , Edgar , stepped in to ease the tension . " Sir , the deal went through in the end , didn't it ? Let's just leave it at that . Don't get yourself too worked up . " Leave it ? Look at the mess this boy has caused ! " Gideon's voice boomed as he glared at Jonathan . " Do you know your uncle spent the whole afternoon here ranting about you ? If that contract had fallen through today , the board would've jumped on the chance to force you out of the CEO position ! " They had only backed down after the news came through that the deal had been signed . " Don't think I don't know where you were yesterday . " All this over a woman - one who doesn't even love you ! And you let that 1/3 Chapter 17 He Had Finally Given Up +5 Free Coins mess jeopardize a deal this important ? You really think you've made something of yourself now ? Clarissa doesn't love you . Why are you still clinging to her ? " Jonathan's hands , resting at his sides , curled into fists . His back , which had been perfectly straight all this time , finally gave way . His posture sagged , just a little - defeated . Gideon's frustration only deepened . However , the anger wasn't truly about Jonathan almost blowing the deal with Seamus . It was because of anger and care for Jonathan . He was getting old . He couldn't protect Jonathan much longer . His second son , Ryan Jefferson , had been eyeing Jonathan's seat for years , just waiting for him to slip . Jonathan had been walking a tightrope for too long . And now , he'd gone and fallen for someone who didn't even love him - chasing after her , breaking himself down over it just like his father had . " I heard you returned the emerald pendant . Good . Calling off the engagement was the right move . That Chandler girl was blind to your worth . She's not the one for you . It's time you let her go . I'll find you someone better . " Yeah … It's time to let go . Jonathan's lashes trembled as he lowered his gaze . A bitter smile tugged at the corner of his mouth . The girl who once cried and said she wanted to marry me … she changed . If she's already moved on , then why am I still holding on ? Everything we went through … she's probably long forgotten by now . Gideon spoke again . " I've arranged for you to meet another young lady tomorrow . Go meet her , alright ? " Jonathan's brow twitched . He gave his answer …. The next day , Clarissa didn't rise and emerge from her room until well past noon . Penelope was clearly displeased . " You're just waking up now ? Your sister's already finished reading two medical books ! You've been back with us for so long , and you're still as lazy as ever . Can't you learn a thing or two from your sister ? " " Mom , it's fine . If Clare likes sleeping in , let her . Even if she got up early , she'd just be sitting around anyway . " The implication was clear : Clarissa was useless . Even if she woke up at the crack of dawn , she'd have nothing worthwhile to do . Not like her - Selina , the gifted prodigy studying at the Imperia University School of Medicine , with impressive skills and a dream of becoming a disciple of Christopher the Miracle Worker . Everyone said she was a rising star in the medical world . Penelope shook her head in disappointment and walked off . Her frustration with Clarissa was obvious . Selina turned to Clarissa and said gently , " Clare , Gregory's been released . He's staying at Albert's hospital now . Chloe's taking care of him . You should go visit him too . " Gregory had been released ? Clarissa's eyes widened in disbelief . Jonathan actually let him go ? I was hoping he'd suffer a little longer . And now he's staying at Albert's hospital like he owns the place ? The audacity ! " You should bring a gift when you visit him , " Selina added with a warm smile . " Gregory would be really happy to see you . " Huh ! Oh , I'll pay him a visit , alright . Who does he think he is , living in our hospital like he belongs there ?! " Sure , I'll go see him . " Clarissa smiled coldly . Selina smiled back . This girl is still the same clueless fool - chasing after him like a puppy . Before heading to the hospital to kick Gregory out , Clarissa made a stop at the mall . Selina had been right about one thing - it wouldn't hurt to bring a gift . Since Jonathan had blocked her on WhatsApp , maybe a well - chosen present would be enough to get him to add her back . Clarissa headed for the mall - her eldest brother's mall . " Miss Clarissa . " The store manager spotted her and came over immediately . " Shopping for clothes today ? " " Yup . " Clarissa nodded . " I'm looking for menswear ." The manager gave a knowing smile . Clarissa often came here to buy clothes for Gregory . By now , it had become routine . 2/3 P P. Chapter 17 He Had Finally Given Up 7 +5 Free Coins Among the three Chandler brothers and their polished younger sister Selina , Clarissa was the only outlier . Brought in from the countryside , uneducated , aimless , and hopelessly obsessed with romance . Sometimes she wondered if Clarissa was even the madam's real daughter . It felt more like Selina was the only true one . The manager led Clarissa toward the men's section . Just then , a voice called out . " Clarissa ? Is that you ?! " The familiar voice made Clarissa narrow her eyes . Well , well … Looks like even after getting a second shot at life , I still had to run into you .