Chapter 4
He paused for a while, struggling to get the words out. "Claire, I... I just didn't want to make a scene. It's a class reunion, after all," he tried to justify himself.
I laughed in disbelief. "So, just to save your pride and keep things from getting messy, I'm supposed to let myself get publicly slandered, have wine thrown at me, and then just generously forgive the person who started all this?
"Wow, Ryan, your logic is really impressive," I said, full of sarcasm.
With that, I hung up and blocked his number.
Finally, things were quiet again.
Jessica listened to the whole thing and flashed me a thumbs-up.
"Nice comeback! Guys like him should've been blocked a long time ago," Jessica said, grinning with approval.
I sank into the plush seat, watching the streets race by outside, but the weight in my chest wouldn't go away.
Why did Vanessa pull something like this?
Was it really just because she saw me at Summit Club and felt embarrassed, so she decided to get ahead of it?
Something about this just didn't add up.
The way she talked about the booking list and the "low prices"—she sounded so sure, like she'd actually seen it herself. It didn't feel like she was just making things up.
Was there really someone pulling strings behind her, as Ryan said?
The car pulled up outside my building before I knew it.
It was an old, rundown apartment complex—totally out of place next to this luxury Bentley.
Jessica and I got out and thanked the driver.
As soon as we stepped into the stairwell, a familiar figure suddenly rushed out from the shadows, blocking my way. It was Ryan.
He somehow managed to find my address, and out of nowhere, he was waiting for me right outside.
He looked completely disheveled—hair messy, shirt rumpled, like he'd been running around in a panic.
"Claire! Just hear me out!" He grabbed my wrist, his grip rough and desperate.
Jessica immediately stepped in front of me. "Ryan, what the hell are you doing? Let her go!"
However, Ryan ignored Jessica, his eyes locked on me, red-rimmed and desperate.
"I know I messed up, Claire. I shouldn't have doubted you, and I shouldn't have taken Vanessa's side.
"But she really didn't mean it! She was totally set up by her best friend, Sophie Warren!" Ryan blurted out, his tone frantic.
"Sophie Warren? The one you mentioned earlier?" I frowned.
Ryan blurted out, sounding desperate, "Yeah! That's her! Sophie's always been jealous of how smart you are—she's never liked you.
"Somehow, she got her hands on a photo of you in your Summit Club uniform and told Vanessa you were up to something sketchy there.
"And there were some price lists or whatever in the background. Vanessa barely glanced at it and just bought the whole story.
"She's already fallen out with Sophie, and she feels terrible about it. She's begging you to give her another shot!" Ryan pleaded, hope flickering in his eyes.
I looked at him, but all I felt was cold indifference.
Just a photo? Some price lists?
Everything was starting to make sense in my head.
When I worked at Summit Club, I always wore the standard uniform—a dark gray suit, nothing like the skimpy dresses the escort girls wore for the guests.
As for price lists, the club only had drink and food menus—there was no such thing as a "booking list."
Unless that photo was doctored.
Someone had gone to a lot of trouble just to ruin my reputation.
Vanessa? She was just the weapon someone used to cut me down.
Ryan? He was the hypocrite who wanted me to stand there and get stabbed, and not even flinch.
I yanked my hand out of his grip. "Ryan, great explanation. But I don't accept it.
"Go back and tell Vanessa this isn't over," I said, my voice cold and unwavering.
My eyes were icy, not a hint of warmth in them.
Ryan froze, caught off guard—like he never saw this coming.
"Claire, what... what else do you want? Vanessa already knows she messed up!" Ryan stammered, his voice full of desperation.
"So just because she realizes she screwed up, that means I have to forgive her?
"Who's going to fix the mess she made of my reputation? How do I get my self-respect back after what she did?
"You really think a simple 'sorry' is enough to make it all go away?
"Ryan, you really think I'm that kind-hearted?" I said, my tone sharp and unyielding.
I grabbed Jessica's hand, walked right past him, and headed straight upstairs.
Thankfully, Ryan didn't follow us.
When we got home, Jessica was still fuming.
"Is Ryan out of his mind? He actually believes every word Vanessa says!
"He even tracked you down to your place. How the hell did he know where you live?"
I opened the fridge, grabbed two bottles of water, and handed one to her.
"He probably got my address from our high school class directory," I said.
I took a sip of the cold water, and my racing thoughts finally started to settle.
I wasn't about to let this slide.
Vanessa and Sophie were going to pay for what they did.
I pulled out my phone, found Amanda's number, and gave her a call.
She picked up right away, her voice calm and professional. "Claire? You home yet?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'm home. Thanks for having someone drive me home," I said.
"No need to thank me. So, how did the reunion go?" Amanda replied with a smile.
There was a hint of teasing in her voice.
I let out a wry laugh. "Don't even get me started. I almost got mistaken for the star escort girl at your club."
I gave her a quick rundown of what went down at the reunion.
As soon as she heard what happened, her tone turned icy.
"Vanessa? I remember her. She was the one who got drunk and caused a commotion in the restroom last time.
"And Sophie? That name doesn't ring a bell."
I said, my voice serious, "Ms. Quinn, I need your help.
"I want to know who snapped those photos of me at the Summit Club, and what tricks they used to pull it off.
"Also, can you find out who Sophie Warren really is?"
Amanda didn't hesitate to answer, "No problem. The Summit Club's security is top-notch—every unauthorized attempt to take photos gets logged by our system.
"Don't worry, you have my word, I'll make sure you get answers.
"Even if I have to turn the whole Summit Club upside down, I'll find out who had the guts to cause trouble there."
Amanda's voice settled the unease in my chest like a calming balm.
After hanging up, I gazed out the window at the deepening night, and something inside me hardened into resolve.
"Vanessa, Sophie... Your little performance is over."