"Is Mrs. Astor questioning me?" The man's dark eyes were mixed with a trace of disdain and assertiveness, his tone cold and domineering: "Don't you know if I can or can't?"
"I'm talking about the necklace."
Clara's heart skipped a beat, knowing what he was implying. She felt embarrassed, somewhat flustered and angry, instinctively wanting to escape, but her legs were pinned and she couldn't move. She could only hide the chaos in her eyes and meet his gaze calmly.
The spacious walk-in closet was incredibly quiet, the two of them were very close, their breathing and heartbeat intertwined, creating a subtly ambiguous atmosphere.
"Then, Mrs. Astor, give an objective evaluation, can I or can't I?"
The darkness and gloom disappeared from the man's eyes, replaced by obvious teasing and mockery, his tone playful and drawn out.
"Hmm... not bad." Clara's eyes twinkled, slowly lowering her gaze, her light voice stretched out.
"Not bad?" Sebastian squinted and moved even closer to her, a dangerous glint in his eyes, lifting her smooth chin: "It seems like Mrs. Astor is not quite satisfied with her husband."
"I... uh..."
Just as Clara was about to argue, her breath was suddenly taken away by his cool lips, the hand on her waist slightly increasing in strength.
The dominant and forceful kiss made Clara feel dizzy and disoriented, unable to resist his sudden surge of desire.
"Sebastian..."
Feeling his hand becoming restless as it held her, Clara turned away from his lips, murmuring softly.
"Hmm, I'm here." His cool lips brushed against her chin, eyes slightly murky, the hoarse voice he uttered was full of warmth and fluctuation.
Three low notes quietly fell on her heart, rippling with sensations.
"It's time to go." Clara steadied her mind and reminded.
Sebastian lifted his eyes, gazed into her slightly dazed bright eyes, pecked at the corner of her lips, and forcibly suppressed the surge of restlessness within him, straightening up and releasing her waist: "Hmm, your lipstick is smudged, fix it up, the necklace... suits you well."
Clara turned her back, glanced in the mirror, seeing the lipstick at the corner of her lips already smudged, clearly kissed, her resentful gaze instinctively sweeping towards the man putting on a dark blue suit jacket.
Seemingly sensing her gaze, Sebastian chuckled, leisurely buttoning up, head slightly tilted: "Need my help?"
"No need."
Clara withdrew her gaze, calmly touched up her makeup, put on earrings, tidied her clothes, looking at the necklace on her neck in the mirror, her lips curved slightly.
Hmm, it does suit me well.
"Thank you." The soft and melodious female voice echoed through the quiet room.
The man's action of fastening his watch paused slightly, a smile slowly spreading in his eyes.
The gray Bentley arrived at the Sutton family villa, Ian and Bess waited at the door with Alexia.
Sebastian was dressed in a dark blue bespoke suit, accentuating his tall and straight figure, matching somewhat like a couple's outfit with Clara's attire, appearing to bathe in a thin layer of gold under the bright sun, radiating brilliance.
"Hahaha, Sebastian is here." As soon as Ian saw them stepping out of the car, he bypassed Clara to greet Sebastian with a hearty laugh.
"Yes, hello father-in-law." Sebastian nodded gracefully in response.
His indifferent tone left Ian slightly taken aback, his gaze unintentionally sweeping towards the elegant figure standing not far away, before he laughed and said: "Clara's complexion seems better than when she was at home before, I'm relieved."
"Oh, you're really something, letting the two kids stand out in the sun when they've just returned, aren't you afraid of the heat?" Bess, also perceptive, quickly stepped forward to help as the atmosphere grew chilly.
"Ah, I'm just a bit muddled with happiness, Sebastian, come, let's go inside and talk." Ian descended the steps, stepping aside.
Sebastian was ushered inside by the couple, ever since he stepped out of the car, Alexia's gaze never left him for a moment, particularly captivated by his graceful and elegant demeanor and his extraordinary disposition and appearance, making her heart race.
Clara stood at a distance, taking in all the thoughts Alexia displayed openly, scoffing coldly.
Recalling the first time she brought Nathan Smith home to the Suttons, Alexia's mesmerized look upon seeing Nathan was eerily similar to now.
"Little sister, get rid of those dirty thoughts in your mind, don't disgrace the Sutton family."
Clara walked over, blocking the wandering gaze on that handsome figure, her indifferent voice gently brushed her ear, disrupting all her thoughts.
Alexia's eyes focused on her, seeing the contempt and indifference in her eyes, she glared back in embarrassment: "It's none of your business, you're the one disgracing the Sutton family." With that, she bypassed her quickly and entered the house.
When Clara entered the house, Ian was chatting with Sebastian, mentioning a real estate project, his face clearly showing his joyful and pleasant mood, with Bess chiming in occasionally.
Such a sycophantic scene made Clara feel disgusted, silently sitting on the single sofa, sipping the red tea the servant brought over.
As the tea was about to run out, a white skirt hem flickered into her distant gaze, she raised her eyes slightly, her gaze instantly darkening.
Alexia not only changed into a fresh white dress but also put on a delicate and beautiful makeup, her bright eyes staring directly at Sebastian's cold and handsome figure.
Clara sighed inwardly, without words, placing the teacup down, she got up and sat next to Sebastian.
Halfway through, Alexia saw her preempted position, her smile froze instantly, her eyes flaring with anger at Clara's elegant aloofness.
The living room suddenly fell silent, Bess's gaze flickered between the sisters, quickly understanding, fiercely glaring at Alexia, smiling as she tried to ease: "Usually inseparably close sisters, now with Clara married, my Alexia is a bit unaccustomed, she even missed you while having some snow fungus soup last night."
"Is that so? I didn't expect my little sister would think of me like that." Clara smiled lightly, her gaze holding a hint of meaning as she looked at Alexia.
Alexia originally wanted to retort, but seeing Bess's suggestive glance, and also Sebastian's gaze filled with icy sharpness fixed on her, she suppressed the displeasure in her heart, reluctantly agreed with a couple of sentences, and sat on the single sofa Clara had previously occupied.
When it was time to eat, everyone stood up to head to the dining room, Clara grabbed Sebastian, pretending to adjust his tie and collar.
Sebastian paused, then chuckled softly, letting her adjust as she asked: "Something to say?"
"That stepsister of mine, be careful." Clara pulled his tie straight, her voice gentle.