When Zoe married into the Westwood family, Clara was only around 13 or 14 years old. It could be said that Zoe watched Clara grow up, so no one knew Clara’s strong-willed nature better than she did. She furrowed her brow slightly. “So, what are you planning to do now?” “I’m planning to work,” Clara replied. The moment she left the Pierce family, she had already made up her mind. Back then, in order to marry Francis quickly, she dropped out of school and didn’t even finish her degree. Now, all she had was a university diploma. She had once been the pride of her parents. Clara’s pride wouldn’t let her return home in defeat. She knew her parents wouldn’t say anything, but she wouldn’t allow it! With firm determination, she said, “I need to prove myself, prove that I’m still the person I was before, prove that I can live without Francis. Zoe, I must live more brilliantly than anyone else!” Shortly after her marriage, Clara found out she was pregnant. After giving birth to Wesley, she couldn’t bear to let anyone else take care of him and ended up confined to the house. She thought things would get better once the child grew a little older. However, when Wesley turned three, she discovered he had a congenital heart condition. To take care of him, Clara nearly drove herself insane, always anxious and cautious, terrified that something might happen to him when she wasn’t paying attention. For six years, she revolved entirely around her family, losing herself in the process. As she walked away from the Pierce family, she looked at the busy passersby and for a moment didn’t know who she was. She had no life of her own, no career. She was just Francis’ wife and Wesley’s mother. Clara couldn’t go back home with just these identities. She needed to find herself. Zoe, of course, supported this idea. “Sure, what do you want to do? Our family has a lot of businesses. I’ll speak to your brother right now.” She reached for her phone as she spoke. Clara stopped her, “Zoe, don’t tell him. He was the one who most opposed my marriage back then. If he knew I ended up like this, he’d be upset.” At least, she wanted to wait until she had improved a little more. Only then would she be worthy of meeting her family who loved her. Seeing Clara’s insistence, Zoe reluctantly agreed, but she still didn’t approve of Clara going out to find work. She said earnestly, “Clara, you can’t be so one-sided. You care about your brother, but don’t you care about me? I didn’t know before, but now that I do, there’s no way I’ll let you work under someone else. I can’t bear to see you suffer.” Clara was about to say something else. But when Zoe dropped the favoritism bomb, she couldn’t refuse. With a helpless sigh, she said, “I’ve never had a job before. If I worked in the family business, I’d just be a burden.” “Who said that?” Zoe puffed up her cheeks, not agreeing at all. “How could you be a burden? You’re the best student in our family, with the highest degree!” “Oh, right,” Zoe suddenly remembered something, clapping her hands. “I remember you studied chemistry in college, and you majored in art when you went abroad, right?” Clara nodded. She had always been good at studying, with excellent memory, so when she chose her major, she went for something academic. But after truly diving into it, she realized chemistry wasn’t what she had expected. So, when she pursued her master’s, she switched fields. The leap from chemistry to art was significant, and neither field had a strong job market in her home country. “Isn’t this perfect?” Zoe came up with an idea, grinning broadly. “I remember your brother saying that the Westwood family made their fortune from fireworks in the past, but after your grandpa passed away, no one understood the business. It had to be put on hold. Now that they’re opening it up again, with your background in chemistry and art, who else is better suited to take over the business than you?” Zoe thought about it more and more and was convinced it was a great idea. She happily declared, “It’s settled then!” Settled? Clara, still processing the situation, was dumbfounded. Indeed, she had studied chemistry and art, but she had never learned how to make fireworks! It was like a different world. She had no ability in that field! Clara tried to stop her. “Zoe…” But no matter how much she protested, Zoe wasn’t going to change her sudden decision. Despite her gentle exterior, Zoe was as quick and efficient as anyone. As soon as she had an idea, she immediately called her assistant. Within half an hour, a job contract for the fireworks factory was delivered. Zoe made Clara sign it herself. Clara desperately tried to resist, “Zoe, I really can’t do it.” “Don’t talk nonsense, just sign it! I was just worried about finding someone to take over this mess,” Zoe said, pulling her hand to force her to sign. Once Clara signed, Zoe quickly took the contract away. “No backing out. By the way, get ready for a competition soon. You’re going to participate.” Clara, still dazed, suddenly snapped out of it upon hearing the word “competition.” She asked in shock, “What competition?” Zoe didn’t plan to explain. She grabbed the contract and left quickly, as if afraid Clara might regret it. Clara was left alone, her eyes wandering, completely confused. … It wasn’t just Clara who was clueless. Francis was too. When he got home last night, Clara’s room light was still on. There was a shape on the bed, but no response when he called out. She lay with her back to him. Seeing Clara still there, Francis’ previously irritated mood eased. He assumed Clara was still angry at him, and said in a cool voice, “It was just a coincidence that Wesley wanted to go out for New Year’s Eve. TOur company had a fireworks show at Times Square, so I took him there. I didn’t expect to run into Natalie.” Is this enough for an explanation? It should be. If Clara had been there, hearing this, she would have been overjoyed. She had always been so humble with him, and no sweet words or promises were needed, just a simple explanation was enough to make her ecstatic. Unfortunately, she wasn’t there. The shape in the bed remained unresponsive. Standing at the door, Francis pursed his lips. His right hand, gripping the doorknob, tightened. After a moment, he whispered, “Good night.” Before leaving, he kindly turned off the light. The next morning at 8:30 a.m., Wesley’s scream echoed through the children’s room. “Ah! Mommy! Why didn’t you wake me up! I’m going to be late for school!” Seeing the time on the clock, Wesley panicked, running around, jumping on the bed. Francis, who had just fallen asleep in the master bedroom, rubbed his temple in frustration. He sat up, moved the still-glowing laptop off the bed, and got up to walk outside in his slippers. Wesley, in his pajamas and carrying a little backpack, his eyes red from crying, wailed, “Mommy, wake up! I’m late! I’m late!” And just like that, he burst into tears. No matter how loud he cried, Clara’s room remained silent. Francis, just leaving the bedroom, frowned. The unease that had nearly disappeared the night before resurfaced. He walked over with a dark expression and pushed open the door.
Cool Lady
Status: Ongoing
