Chapter 129: Clara's Lips Curved Slightly

Clara's lips curved slightly. "Don't worry about it."

The air froze for a brief moment.

Suddenly, noisy chatter erupted from the other end of the line. "Clara, the family dinner is starting. My mom's looking for me."

"Hmm."

After hanging up, her phone screen lit up again.

Connor Hayes had sent a series of documents.

International lawsuit filings, acceptance receipts, progress reports, and several unsigned forms.

Cross-border litigation was notoriously complex. The fact that it had progressed this quickly genuinely surprised Clara.

She downloaded the files, reviewed each page carefully, and signed her name.

The moment she sent them back, Connor replied instantly:

"You trust me this much? Not afraid I'll screw you over?"

Her fingers tapped lightly: "You wouldn't."

Connor chuckled at his screen.

He typed rapidly: "Relax, just necessary paperwork. Nothing beyond the lawsuit."

Clara scoffed.

Of course she'd scrutinized every document.

If Connor wanted to scheme against her, he wouldn’t use such clumsy methods.

Her phone vibrated again:

"Happy New Year's Clara. May next year's wishes come true."

She flipped the phone facedown on her bed.

She wasn’t a wishing well.

"Clara, dumplings are ready—" Helen called from downstairs.

"Coming." She hurried down.

8:00 PM sharp.

Steaming dumplings filled the air with their aroma. Clara curled up on the sofa, her parents on either side. A gentle-voiced host spoke from the TV as her mother occasionally fed her a cherry.

The countdown to midnight began.

Fireworks exploded outside, painting the night sky in vibrant colors.

In the yard, Daniel Whitmore lit firecrackers.

Helen covered her ears. "Be careful..."

The crackling pops ushered out the old year.

Clara watched her parents' silhouettes when her phone buzzed.

An unknown number. Area code showed Boston.

She answered.

"Happy New Year."

A warm voice filtered through the receiver.

Clara tilted her head toward the fireworks. "Happy New Year, Professor Mercer."

* * *

Elias Mercer had deduced Clara's return to her hometown from Sloane Bennett's remarks.

After the family banquet ended, he retreated to his study to analyze lab data.

His fountain pen stilled mid-calculation.

He picked up his phone and dialed a familiar number.