However, there was not any ripple in Clara's heart. All she thought about was settling her affair as quickly as possible so she would not be a burden to anyone. Then she could say her final goodbye to Ian properly.
When she returned home, she saw Ian and Rea standing at the entrance of the house. They were welcoming guests as if they were the masters of the house.
The moment Rea spotted her, she eagerly stepped forward and said warmly, "Clara, you're finally here! I've been waiting for you!"
She naturally linked her arms with Clara's, then feigned surprise as she asked, "Oh? Don’t you know that today is my promotion celebration party, so why are you wearing all black?"
Clara froze and glanced down at her clothes. She was momentarily at a loss for what she was supposed to say.
However, before she could respond, Ian's sharp voice cut through the air. "No one forced you to come. If you're unhappy, you can leave."
He assumed she was deliberately causing trouble. After all, having attended countless banquets as the Cumberland Family's adopted daughter, Clara should have known the basics of proper etiquette.