Chapter 8 Four years later , October . A giant banner fluttered above the downtown bookstore . " Rebirth National Book Tour . Ganja City Stop ." 65 vouchers The woman on the poster wore a sharp black blazer , crimson lips curled in a smirk , eyes like daggers . In the lower right corner , the name , Clara , was embossed in gold . A long line had already formed outside the building , snaking back for blocks . From the VIP lounge's one - way window , I watched the crowd , fingertips tapping the table . Four years changed many things . I'd graduated from Harverd's literature program , debuted with the bestseller Cocoon , and now my second novel , Rebirth , topped the charts . The media called me a " prodigy author . " Readers praised how I " captured humanity's darkest and brightest . " No one knew it was my real story . " Clara , five minutes to signing . " My assistant , Lynn , stepped in . " We've added extra security . It's packed today ." I nodded , adjusting my tailored crimson blazer and black stilettos in the mirror . My hair , once worn loose at prom , was now pinned in a sharp chignon . The girl from four years ago had honed her edges . " Also ... " Lynn hesitated . " The front desk said a man claims he's your old classmate . His last name is Collins ... " My fingers stilled briefly . " Tell him to wait in line like everyone else ." Lynn nodded and left . I took a deep breath and pulled a voice recorder from my bag , checking its battery . After four years , what it held would finally be put to use . Camera flashes popped continuously around the signing table . With a polite smile fixed on my face , I signed book after book , briefly interacting with each reader as the line inched forward , until a familiar figure suddenly appeared before me . Carson . I could barely recognize him . The once - radiant campus heartthrob now had hollow cheeks , unkempt stubble , and the stale tang of alcohol . He clutched a crumpled copy of Rebirth , its cover stained . " Clara ... " His voice was ragged . " It's really you . " I kept my professional smile . " Dedication name ? " " You don't remember me ? " Carson suddenly raised his voice , drawing stares from the crowd . " It's me , Carson ! Don't you remember ? Back in high school... " " Next . " I calmly cut him off , giving security a meaningful look . But Carson lunged across the table , knocking over a water bottle . " I know you're punishing Sarah told me everything ! " He sobbed . " I was wrong . I've thought of you every day for four years ... " His tears quickly spread across the table , soaking several brand - new books of Rebirth . Security grabbed him , but he wrenched free , kneeling in front of the crowd . " Clara , please , just give me one more chance ... I'll do anything ... " 175 Chapter 8 The camera flashes went wild as reporters eagerly captured the scene . I stood up , looking down at the man who had once haunted my dreams , but now my heart was eerily calm . " Mr. Collins . " My voice rang out clearly across the hall . " You've mistaken me for someone else . " Security dragged away the sobbing Carson , and the signing resumed . The remaining readers tactfully avoided the subject , though their curious glances lingered . Just as I finished signing the last book and prepared to leave , a man in a baseball cap and mask pushed his way to the table . " Could you sign this for me ? " He handed me a pristine copy of Rebirth , his voice low and muffled . I looked up and met a pair of familiar eyes . Even after four years , even with his disguise , I recognized Jeremiah instantly . " Of course ." 55 vouchers I took the book , signed it with a flourish , then wrote on the title page . " To Mr. Collins . Thanks for teaching me how to spot liars in our past life . Clara . " Jeremiah stiffened . Slowly , he removed his mask , revealing a face still handsome but worn with exhaustion . " You really do remember . " " Remember what ? " I feigned confusion . " Previous life . " His voice dropped . " Our marriage , and ... " He reached into his pocket and produced a velvet box . " This ." The box opened , revealing an engagement ring , the one he'd proposed with in our previous life . A collective gasp rippled through the crowd . I stared at the ring , and suddenly smiled . Without hesitation , I grabbed the wine glass beside me and dashed it across his face . Red liquid dripped from his forehead , nose , and chin , staining his expensive suit . The room fell silent except for the relentless camera clicks . "A toast to your acting skills . " I said softly , " Tell me , Mr. Collins , does your wife know you're here ? " Jeremiah paled . The press knew well that he'd married a tycoon's daughter last year , It was a marriage that saved his family's crumbling business . " Clara , I can explain ... " " Security ," I cut him off . " This gentleman seems to have had one too many . " As Jeremiah was escorted out , he threw me one last look . It was filled with such agony and regret that the old me might have pitied him . But now , I just find it funny . Suddenly , a commotion erupted near the signing table . Chapter 8 A woman in heavy makeup shoved past security , her high heels clacking furiously . " Clara ! " She shrieked . " You bitch ! " Sarah . I barely recognized her. The once - delicate campus sweetheart now wore garish makeup , a too - tight dress , and reeked of cheap perfume . She waved a notebook wildly , her face twisted with rage . " Proof ! I have proof ! " Sarah screamed , " You set us up ! This diary proves ... " " 55 vouchers Calmly , I pulled out the recorder and hit play , Instantly , the bookstore echoed Sarah and Jeremiah's voices from four years ago . " The plan's working . Carson's completely obsessed with me now . " Sarah's smug voice rang out . " Don't push your luck , " Jeremiah said coldly . " Keep pushing Clara . Make sure she falls head over heels for Carson , so she'll be too distracted to get in the way of our plan . " The recording continued , detailing how they'd manipulated my feelings for Carson to seize control of the Collins Group . As the recording played , Sarah's face contorted with embarrassment . With a shrill scream , she lunged forward , desperately trying to snatch the voice recorder . " Lies ! This is fake ! " . She tore at her diary , pages flying . " I'm the victim ! You seduced Carson! You framed Jeremiah ! " Cameras flashed as security finally restrained her . 1 straightened my suit and rose to leave . " Clara ! " Sarah howled as they dragged her away . " You think you've won ? They'll always love me ! Always ! " I walked off without looking back , her voice fading behind me . For four years , Sarah was still the same . She was convinced the world revolved around her . In the VIP lounge , I finally exhaled . Lynn rushed in . " Clara , the press is swarming . Let's leave through the back . The I nodded , gathered my things , and was ready to leave . Just then , the lounge door swung open again , revealing a tall and well - built man . " Mr. Murray ! " Lynn exclaimed in surprise . " What brings you here ? " Xavier was my publisher , and the only one who truly knew everything I'd been through these past four years . He walked in wearing a charcoal - gray trench coat , carrying two coffee cups . He handed one to Lyn with a smile . " Rough day . Things got a little crazy out there , huh ? " Lynn took the hint and slipped out . Chapter 8 Only then did Xavier turn to me , his gaze softening . " You okay ? " I accepted the coffee and exhaled . " Calmer than I expected ." I took a sip and frowned . " Sugar - free again ? " " Hey , you're the one who said you wanted to stay sharp today . " Xavier chuckled and pulled out a small sugar packet . " Just in case you change your mind , I brought some sugar . " I couldn't help but smile . 55 vouchers Xavier had been my anchor these four years . He was the one person I could be fully myself around . He knew every dark corner of my past , yet never judged . Only stood by me . " After seeing those three today , I thought you'd feel ... " He weighed his words carefully . " Happier ? " I shook my head . " Honestly ? It felt boring . " I stared out the window . " Like a cat finally catching the mouse , only to realize it's scrawny and not worth the chase ." Xavier chuckled . " Nice analogy . Save it for your next book . " " Mr. Murray . " Feigning seriousness , I said , " Hands off my materials ." " As you command , Ms. Bailey . " Xavier raised his hands in mock surrender , then handed me a folder . " Oh , right , this is the latest intel from Shindand ." I opened the folder . Inside were the details of Sarah's four years in Shindand . She married a wealthy businessman in his fifties , but they divorced within a year after she was caught cheating . The money she got from the divorce was quickly gambled away , and in the end , she had to work as a hostess in a nightclub . " She returned to the country last week . " に Xavier said , " She went straight to Carson after landing , only to find him an alcoholic and jobless . Then she tried to see Jeremiah , but his bodyguards threw her out . " I closed the file , feeling nothing . The pain they had inflicted on me in my past life , they were now tasting a hundredfold . " Any regrets ? " Xavier asked suddenly . " About what ? " " Getting your revenge ." I thought for a moment , then shook my head . " No. But if I had another chance ... " I paused . " I might've just walked away wasted my time on them ." Xavier smiled . " Now that's the Clara I know ." As we left the bookstore , the setting sun painted the sky in golden hues . and never I got into Xavier's car , watching the familiar cityscape pass by . Four years had gone by , but Ganja City hadn't changed much . I was the one who had changed . My phone buzzed . It was a message from Emmett : [ Just saw the news ! Well donel Coming to the class reunion tonight ? Everyone wants to see you , our celebrity author . } I replied : [ Sure , send me the address . ] Chapter 8 Xavier turned to me . " Got plans ? " . " High school reunion ." I put my phone away . " Wanna come ? " Xavier raised an eyebrow playfully . " I don't mind being your shield . " " Not a shield , " I said softly . " I want them to meet you ." Xavier's grip tightened slightly on the steering wheel , a charming smile curving his lips . " Honored . " The car rolled into the sunset , the bookstore shrinking in the rearview mirror . Four years ago , I had left with nothing but hatred . Now , I was back , and I'd let it all go . The best revenge wasn't hatred . It was indifference . It was living better than they ever imagined . And I did it . 5/5