Chapter 68

At first glance, Nina's words didn't seem out of line, but her tone carried a sharp, passive-aggressive edge that was hard to miss. Clara frowned. She couldn't help feeling a little irritated, even with her calm demeanor. "Ms. Foster, I don't recall ever doing anything to offend you." Nina let out a dramatic gasp, feigning innocence. "Offend me? Of course not! I was just saying you and Ryan seem to get along so well. "I've known him for years, and I've never seen him go out of his way for anyone like this. You've really got a way about you, Ms. Salford—makes the rest of us jealous." Clara wasn't new to this kind of behavior. Her beauty, family background, and academic success had always made her stand out, whether she wanted to or not. Add to that Wren, her fiercely protective "older brother," who treated her like a princess, and it was no surprise that she had dealt with her fair share of envy and petty drama over the years. But she wasn't some delicate flower living in