Chapter 6

Clara's voice was too loud, causing everyone to fall silent for a moment. When she realized it, everyone's gaze was already fixed on her, including Sergio's and Maeve's. At this moment, Clara was like a sharp-tongued and uneducated woman in everyone's eyes. The old gardener stooped over and picked up the roses scattered on the ground. He kept apologizing as he picked up the roses. Clara's expression turned grim when she realized that she had attracted everyone's attention. She quickly changed her demeanor and apologized, "I'm sorry, I was too hasty. Are you okay, sir?" Maeve observed the scene from a distance. Although Clara had attempted to salvage the situation, it was already too late. It only made her seem insincere. At this moment, Clara also noticed Maeve, who was standing next to Sergio. "Why is she here?" Sergio frowned. Maeve observed Sergio's expression. It seemed like he was unaware that Clara would come here. Could it be that Clara had come over on her own? Maeve fell silent. This scenario was different from what had happened in her previous life. She remembered that in her previous life, Sergio had brought Clara to the banquet, where Clara had earned Kurt Spencer's approval. That was how she had successfully gone abroad to study. After her graduation, with Sergio's and Kurt's support, she quickly rose to the top. Maeve had thought that since Sergio didn't bring Clara this time, she wouldn't appear. But Clara had insisted on coming. "Mr. Brooks!" Hearing the commotion inside the clubhouse, Larry rushed in. Sergio asked in an unfriendly tone, "Who let her in?" "I…" Larry lowered his head and said, "I thought Ms. Stewart could help you." Sergio rubbed his temples. He had always been tolerant of Clara. However, since he had brought Maeve to such an occasion, Clara shouldn't have appeared. "Ms. Stewart is unfamiliar with the environment. Hurry and go check on her." Maeve casually took a sip of champagne. Sergio watched Clara, who was like a deer caught in the headlights. But in the end, he couldn't bear to leave her alone. He said, "I'll head over there for a moment. I'll come back in a bit." Maeve remained silent. It was expected that Sergio would go to Clara. After all, he had always been unable to let go of her. Sergio approached Clara and asked, "Why did you come here?" Clara felt wronged as she lowered her head. "I'm sorry… I just… wanted to come and take a look." She choked back her tears. Seeing her like that, Sergio couldn't bear to say any harsh words to her. After all, she was a student that he had cultivated for so many years. He had also witnessed all her efforts. "I'll have Larry escort you back." Seeing Sergio about to leave, Clara hurriedly grabbed his sleeve. She said, "Mr. Brooks, can I stay?" Sergio frowned. Clara used to be obedient and aware of her identity. She had never crossed the line like this before. Seeing Sergio's expression, Clara felt his dissatisfaction. She apologized, "I'm sorry, Mr. Brooks. I-I…" Looking at Clara's face, Sergio couldn't bear to say anything harsh. He responded, "You can stay. This event will also be helpful for your studies abroad." Clara finally smiled after hearing his words. "T-Then, can I follow you?" Sergio glanced at the crowd around him. He really couldn't rest assured if he were to leave Clara alone to handle everything by herself. "Yeah." Clara was very happy. Larry couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Brooks, what about Madam…" "Go and accompany her. Don't let her cause trouble like last time." Sergio was aware that Maeve often attended banquets. For someone like Maeve who didn't understand finance, coming here was just to kill time. As long as she didn't spend money recklessly like last time, it was fine. Meanwhile, Maeve watched as Larry approached her. Before he could even speak, Maeve asked, "Did he leave to accompany Clara?" "Madam, Ms. Stewart is a key candidate cultivated by the company, so…" "I know. I understand." Maeve seemed to be concerned about Sergio and Clara. Larry breathed a sigh of relief, but he couldn't shake the feeling that Maeve seemed different from before. Maeve paid attention to Clara, who was chatting confidently with several influential people as she stood beside Sergio. Although Clara had good grades in school, she was still just a student. In front of these seasoned veterans who had been in the business world for so many years, what Clara said didn't mean much. Those people were just complimenting Clara out of respect for Sergio. Soon, Clara faced some difficulties when dealing with a foreign elderly man. If Maeve remembered correctly, this person should be a financial tycoon from Xenosia. The only problem was that this tycoon only spoke his native language and didn't speak any other languages. Coincidentally, his translator wasn't available at the moment. "Mr. Brooks…" Clara bit her lip as she glanced at Sergio. As Sergio thought about how to ease the awkward situation, Maeve walked over and began chatting fluently with the man in Xynish. The man seemed content with what Maeve said and then shook hands with her. Only then did Clara notice Maeve. Maeve was wearing the same black dress as her. Maeve looked graceful and elegant compared to Clara, who seemed like she was wearing a cheap dress from some flea market. Clara felt aggrieved as she clenched her fists. She said with a smile, "Maeve, you're really impressive. You can even speak Xynish fluently." Maeve smiled at Clara without saying anything. Sergio remembered that Maeve was proficient in foreign languages. But Xynish wasn't very common, and it wasn't an international lingua franca. It was surprising that she knew this language too. "But Maeve, what did you say to Mr. Stephen just now? He looked so happy." Maeve replied, "I told him that the piece of land near the Southeast Sea that he had acquired from the auction is going to sell well, so he's happy." "That piece of land… is going to sell well?" Clara looked puzzled. That piece of land didn't seem particularly remarkable. "Perhaps," Maeve replied casually. In her previous life, that piece of land did indeed sell for a good price. The area around it had suddenly developed into a tourist destination, and the land could produce a great deal of profit. It was likely that Frederick Stephen knew about the upcoming developments in that area, which prompted him to make the purchase. Clara indeed lacked that kind of foresight. Sergio stared at Maeve for a moment. She began to feel uncomfortable under his scrutiny. "Why are you looking at me like that?" Maeve asked. Sergio asked back, "How do you know that the land is going to sell well?"