Chapter 3 Childhood Shadows
“Interesting, she’s gotten addicted to acting?” Archer exclaimed, “You want to act, huh? Fine, I’ll see it through to the end!” A stormy anger was evident in Archer’s eyes as he grabbed Clara’s wrist and pulled her towards his car. Clara struggled, saying, “What are you doing? I’m not getting in your car. It looks so expensive; who knows how many women you’ve harmed to get it? Let go of me, you damn gigolo!” Archer was speechless. Doesn’t this woman watch the news? Can’t she recognize that I’m the CEO of Dane Corp? For the first time in his life, Archer was infuriated, “You say I’m sick? Fine, I’ll take you to the hospital, and if I’m not sick, let’s see what stories you’ll make up then. You women, so young and already giving up on trying, always looking for crooked ways to get close to me!” Clara couldn’t understand what he was ranting about, “What nonsense are you spouting? Let go of me, I’m not sitting in your car!” They were completely talking at cross purposes. “Damn woman! You need to be taught a lesson!” Archer hoisted her up unceremoniously and threw her into the car, closed the door, got in, started the car, and drove off, all in one smooth motion. Unbeknownst to them, paparazzi were furiously snapping photos nearby, their jaws nearly dropping in shock. “Holy cow, big news, Dane Corp’s head honcho’s romance exposed! This is freaking explosive, flirting in the street!” As Archer drove, Clara struggled to get out of the car, but Archer had locked the windows, thwarting her desire to jump out! Arriving at the hospital entrance, Clara took a deep breath, her face turning pale. Archer said coldly, “Get out.” A flicker of anxiety crossed Clara’s eyes; she hadn’t even reached the hospital but could already smell the strong disinfectant, which she found utterly repulsive. Seeing her hesitance, Archer scoffed, “What, can’t continue acting?” Clara rolled her eyes; she had a severe phobia of hospitals, the mere thought of a needle piercing her skin made her scalp tingle. Archer, with a look that said ‘I’ve seen right through you,’ remarked, “Let’s see what tricks you can pull now.” Clara was speechless, thinking, how could this gigolo be so arrogant! “Fine, let’s go! If you dare harm me, I dare sue you!” Taking a deep breath, Clara stepped out of the car. The two proceeded to the hospital for a check-up. “Extend your hand for a blood test.” The nurse waited for her to extend her hand, but Clara’s face grew paler, her whole body resisting. Seeing her hesitate, Archer raised an eyebrow, “You can’t handle pain, can you?” Clara defiantly replied, “I can! Don’t mind me!” Reluctantly, she extended her hand. As the nurse prepared to draw her blood, she screamed, grabbing Archer by whatever she could reach and biting down. “Uh…” Archer grunted, being bitten. Normally, one might get angry, but he said with interest, “Oh my, you really are amusing! So you really are scared of needles!” Clara’s face scrunched up as the needle pierced her skin. She screamed, “Let go of me—” Childhood fears haunted her mind, leaving her pale and trembling. The woman before him alternated between being a bristled woman and appearing weak and vulnerable, both strange and pitiable. Archer felt an inexplicable compassion for her and couldn’t help but comfort her, “It’s just a shot, you’re grown up, what’s there to be afraid of?”