69%
+5 Free Coins
Claudia had no intention of taking back what she’d just said. That was always how she saw Timothy–one word: lunatic.
Still, she didn’t want to waste time arguing with him,
This guy had no brain. A spoiled brat with no brakes. Who knew what insane stunt he might pull next? You couldn’t reason with a mad dog.
She turned to leave, but Timothy grabbed her arm and yanked her back hard–so hard she thought her arm might snap.
Claudia gritted out, “Let go!”
Timothy tightened his grip, towering over her, eyes wild. “Claudia, I’m warning you. If you ruin things for Alan and Summer, you know what’ll happen.”
His grin turned mocking. “You remember what I’m capable of.”
More than remember.
The cruel tricks, the harassment–Claudia’s eyes went cold.
She stopped struggling. After a quiet pause, she lifted her head again, a pleasant smile returning to her face.
“Timothy, don’t you think you’re being childish?” she said calmly. “Honestly, I feel kind of bad for you. It’s been, what, ten years now?”
She tilted her head, still smiling. “Yeah, over a decade. You’ve been in love with Summer all this time and never gotten anywhere. And now, here you are, trying to force her into your best friend’s arms instead. You’re the ultimate simp and the ultimate wingman. That’s impressive.”
She clapped her hands lightly. “You won’t win any awards for Most Touching Human of the Year, but don’t worry–I’ll make one just for you. I’m genuinely touched.”
Timothy’s face turned dark with rage. Just as he opened his mouth, Claudia lightly patted his cheek, still smiling with mock sympathy.
“But really,” she continued, “I kind of get it. I mean, other than your face and your money, what else do you have going for you? Nothing. You can’t hold a candle to Alan. Summer turning you down just means she’s got good taste. Having a shred of self–awareness might be
30
|||
<
1/5
22:59 Sat, Aug 30
Chapter 13 Twisted from Repression
the smartest thing you’ve ever done.”
69%
+5 Free Coins
Timothy had never seen this side of Claudia–sharp–tongued and cutting. Her smile was unchanged, but her eyes were ice. It hit straight to the bone.
He was stunned silent, his head buzzing.
Claudia used the moment to wrench her arm free and rubbed where he’d hurt her. Her mood was soured, but she kept smiling.
That was her way.
She didn’t like showing emotions unless there was a reason. The angrier she was, the calmer her face became. The more frigid her smile.
But Timothy wasn’t even worth getting mad at.
He was sick.
She composed herself quickly. Staring at his furious expression, she said evenly, “Timothy, I remember–you have an older brother, don’t you?”
Timothy froze. His brows drew together. His eyes turned cold. “What are you trying to say?”
Claudia studied his face, finally recognizing where that familiar feeling from the mountain estate had come from.
That was it.
The resemblance was clear now.
Though their temperaments were worlds apart–one gentle and refined, the other arrogant and flashy–their bone structure and features matched.
Claudia had always loved art–not just fashion, but painting, too. She was skilled at sketching people, and had trained herself to read faces from bone to soul. Now that she was calm, the answer clicked.
Before marrying Alan, she’d heard of Timothy’s older brother–but never met him. His name was Trevor Taurine.
Trevor was shrouded in mystery. A few years older than Timothy, he’d been traveling internationally for years, based mostly overseas, and rarely showed up in domestic social circles. Claudia had no idea what he did, but among elite circles, he was one of those “legendary older brother” types–the one all parents bragged about.
30
|||
O
2/5
22:59 Sat, Aug 30 R
Chapter 13 Twisted from Repression
If Trevor was a classic high–achiever, then Timothy… was a disgrace.
.69%
+5 Free Coins
Claudia thought back to the refined, composed man she’d met at the estate earlier that day— so dignified and authoritative–and then looked at Timothy again.
The contrast was painful.
Trevor had commissioned a custom suit and was back in China. Clearly, he was attending some major domestic event. Maybe he was shifting his focus back here.
And now that she thought about it–Trevor’s home had rules. Strict ones. How the hell did that kind of family raise someone like Timothy–wild, reckless, utterly without discipline?
Repressed to the point of mutating… or maybe they just spoiled him rotten.
Not that it was her business. Claudia had enough chaos of her own. She just hoped Timothy would stop pestering her.
Still rubbing her arm, she said lightly, “I’m just saying–act your age. Try being an adult for once. Maybe take a cue from your brother.”
With that, she stopped paying him any attention and turned to walk out of the parking
garage.
She knew Timothy wouldn’t dare do anything. She’d never met the legendary older brother before today, but she’d heard plenty.
Timothy respected Trevor–or feared him. If Trevor was in the country, Timothy would stay in line. He didn’t want another incident like the one in college where he got his leg broken and landed in the hospital after mouthing off.
Besides, Claudia had had enough of holding back.
If Timothy wanted trouble, she was ready. Did he think she was still some pushover he could toy with?
Behind her,
Timothy stood frozen, his face black with fury. His fists clenched. His dark eyes burned into her retreating back as he growled through gritted teeth:
“Claudia… just you wait.”
30
|||
O
3/5
22:59 Sat, Aug 30 R
Chapter 13 Twisted from Repression.
Claudia didn’t turn back just because of Timothy’s nonsense.
68%
+5 Free Coins
Even if Alan and Summer were dining nearby, so what? She hadn’t done anything wrong. Why should she avoid them?
She went straight to the restaurant she liked.
After eating, she picked up some fruit and headed to her studio to work through the night on her portfolio.
The custom suit had been successfully delivered, but her grandaunt would be returning at the end of the month. There wasn’t much time left.
She had to move fast.
Elsewhere-
Timothy arrived at the private dining room he’d booked. As soon as he opened the door, his
friends called out, laughing and teasing him for being late and making.ened the door, his
After downing a few, his eyes drifted toward the sofa in the corner.
drink extra.
Alan and Summer were sitting together–him dashing, her stunning. They looked like a perfect scene from a painting, smiling and talking, heads close together.
Timothy downed another glass and walked over.
Summer turned to look at him, worry in her eyes. She took his glass from his hand. “You’ve hardly eaten. Don’t drink so much–it’s terrible for your stomach.”
Timothy chuckled. “I was waiting for you to scold me, Summer.”
“Ugh, you’re hopeless,” Summer said, scolding him playfully. But her eyes were smiling. In the shifting light, she looked ethereal.
Timothy found himself staring–until his gaze met Alan’s foxlike eyes.
Those deep, unreadable eyes snapped him out of it. His own eyes darted away, a little guilty. “L–Liang… Alan.”
To Timothy, Alan and Summer were meant to be together.
The way he’d looked at her just now had clearly crossed a line. He knew it. And getting caught
30
|||
O
<
4/5
22.59 Sat, Aug
Chapter 13 Twisted from Repression
made him nervous.
Summer saw everything and laughed softly, her peach blossom eyes glowing with
amusement.
+5 Free Coins
She broke the tension with ease. “Timothy, didn’t you say you had something important to talk about? Don’t keep us guessing.”
5173
