Chapter 276: Clara Whitmore's Eyes Widened

Clara Whitmore's eyes widened as the words "Calling..." flashed on her phone screen, catching her completely off guard.

Sloane Bennett had acted with startling speed.

"Beep—beep—"

The ringing tone pierced the silence of the room.

At the same moment, the doorbell chimed.

Moving mechanically, Clara walked to the entrance and pulled open the door.

A familiar male voice came through the phone: "Hello?"

Elias Mercer stood outside, his cell pressed to his ear.

Their eyes locked.

Clara's lips twitched.

That girl had absolutely done this on purpose!

In the entire city, who else could reach her home within ten minutes except Elias who lived next door?

Half an hour later.

Clara gently closed the bedroom door behind her—Sloane had already fallen into a deep sleep.

Turning around, her gaze collided with the man seated on the sofa.

Elias was studying the scattered liquor bottles on the coffee table, his brow slightly furrowed.

"These..."

"Were hers," Clara answered quickly.

He looked up. "And you?"

"Just two bottles." She held up two fingers. "Really, I can hold my liquor."

Sloane was different—mixing red wine with beer was practically begging for a hangover.

Elias sighed. "Stay put."

Rolling up his shirt sleeves, he revealed toned forearms.

Clara watched blankly as he cleaned up, her alcohol-slowed thoughts struggling to keep pace.

Only when the trash bag was securely tied did she snap back to reality.

"I'll take this out," Elias said, lifting the bag.

Clara suddenly stood. "I'm coming too!"

The night breeze carried a slight chill, making her instinctively hunch her shoulders.

"Put this on." A jacket appeared before her.

The hallway motion sensor lights flickered intermittently.

Elias walked ahead, his shadow stretching long behind him.

Clara stepped carefully on his elongated silhouette, matching his pace.

"Aunt Miriam approached me today," he said abruptly.

"About the arranged marriage?"

"Mhm."

The trash bin clanged shut.

They fell into step along the community pathway.

"The Mercers don't need marriage alliances," Elias said calmly. "But she's insistent."

Miriam Caldwell came from an elite family and had flourished after marrying into the Mercer household.

She firmly believed equal social standing was the foundation of marital happiness.

Sloane disagreed.

"She won't be returning home for now." Elias paused. "I'd appreciate it if you could look after her."

Clara shook her head. "She's my best friend."

Under the streetlamp, their shadows merged into one.

The night wind tangled through her loose hair.