After her rebirth
Chapter 69

Katniss, driven by sheer survival instinct, whipped out her phone and dialed a number from her contacts.

Desmond was the first name on her speed dial.

The phone buzzed, and Desmond paused, seeing Katniss's name flash on the screen.

Just as he was about to pick up, Lucas turned around and asked why he was lagging behind.

"Katniss is calling," Desmond said, showing Lucas the screen.

Lucas squinted at the name, "So, she's finally caving in and calling for mercy? Wasn't she all tough, wanting to ditch the Manners family, and now she's back to bugging you?" Desmond might've agreed with Lucas before.

But after their last rough conversation, Desmond wasn't so sure.

Lucas, though, snatched Desmond's phone, hung up, and turned it off.

"If she wants to beg, she better show some real effort. Don't go soft on her!" Lucas patted Desmond's shoulder, "Come on, today's deal is crucial. You've put in so much work, don't let it go to waste."

Lucas added, "Seal this deal, and your grandpa will see you differently. You'll have a say in your marriage with Clara."

Desmond hesitated for a moment, but hearing Clara's name, his expression softened, and he pocketed the phone.

Lucas was right. For his future with Clara, he had to nail this deal.

Katniss's call could wait.

Leveraging Maximilian's brotherly bond and Lucas's network, Desmond's preparations paid off, and he closed the deal.

Excited to share the news with Clara, Desmond drove to her school to wait for her after class.

After school, Clara quickly found his car, thanks to Desmond's text.

Clara loved wearing white, symbolizing purity and cleanliness, like an angel. She ran towards Desmond, "Desmond! I'm here, did you wait long?"

Clara hopped into the passenger seat, looking at him shyly.

Desmond, ever the gentleman, helped her with the seatbelt and then pulled out a dessert bag from the back seat, filled with her favorite treats, "Slow down, what if you fall? You're already not in the best health, be more careful." Clara nodded obediently. "I know, you're such a worrywart."

She took the dessert bag, her eyes lighting up at the sight of her favorite little cakes.

"It's my favorite flavor," Clara beamed.

"I never forget what you like!" Desmond glanced at the time and casually asked, "Did Katniss call you today?"

While waiting for Clara, he had tried calling Katniss back, but no one answered.

Clara took a bite of the cake and shook her head, "No, you know Katniss doesn't like me much. I try to steer clear of her at school to avoid any drama." Desmond's eyes darkened with displeasure. "You shouldn't have to tiptoe around her."

"I've been given so much. I just want everyone to be happy and not fight because of me." Clara lowered her head sadly, looking like she blamed herself. Desmond's heart ached, and he held Clara's small hand. "Clara, that's on her, not you. Let's not talk about her. Do you know why I'm so happy today?" "Why?"

"With Lucas's help, I locked down a big contract. This means I can join the company and talk to my grandpa about our marriage," Desmond grinned.

Clara was stunned for a moment, then threw herself into Desmond's arms, whispering, "Desmond, there's no rush. I'll wait for you, no matter how long it takes. We will be together."

Clara nestled close, her scent filling his senses with just a slight tilt of his head.

Unlike Katniss, who wore old, faded clothes and smelled like the cheapest laundry detergent.

Clara's delicate arms wrapped around him, her eyes shyly meeting Desmond's, her heartbeat quickening.

The girl he had liked for so long was in his arms. Desmond's Adam's apple bobbed, his eyes falling on her luscious lips, and he leaned in to kiss her.

Their lips met, and his breathing grew heavier.

The car's narrow space suddenly felt even more confined.

Clara panted softly, then boldly wrapped her arms around Desmond's neck, "I like you. I'll only be yours."

Desmond's heart raced, his strong arms tightening around Clara.

Meanwhile, in the classroom, Juniper looked around, noticing everyone had left, but there was no sign of Katniss. Unable to hold back, she asked someone if they had seen Katniss, only to be told she hadn't come to class at all. Juniper's face changed. Katniss didn't attend class?

And she wasn't answering her phone. Could something have happened to her?

Juniper thought it over, remembering Katniss was treating someone named Maximilian. Could she be there? After searching for a while, she found the number Katniss had given her and called it. After a few rings, an elderly voice answered.

"Hello, this is Katniss's classmate, Juniper Davis. I wanted to ask if Katniss is with you?"

Juniper's anxious voice came through the phone, and Felix paused, sensing something was wrong, "Ms. Davis, Katniss is not here. Has something happened to her?" Hearing Katniss wasn't there either, Juniper started crying, saying Katniss had been missing since the afternoon.

Felix quickly comforted Juniper, asked a few more questions, and then hung up.

Juniper realized she didn't have the Manners family's contact info. Even if she told them, they wouldn't care, so she immediately called the police. Maximilian watched Felix quietly.

"Katniss's classmate called, saying Katniss is missing," Felix said.

Maximilian narrowed his eyes, making a call while wheeling himself out the door, "Hello, this is Maximilian. I have a situation that needs..."

As the door opened, the cold wind rushed in. Felix quickly grabbed a blanket from the sofa and followed him out.

After the police were notified, they informed the Manners family.

Juniper, worried, stayed at the police station, her eyes swollen from crying.

The first to arrive was Katniss's brother, Lucas.

Not long after, Lucas entered the police station, his expression dark. Katniss had called Desmond in the afternoon, they ignored it, and now she was playing the missing game. It was clearly a calculated provocation.

Lucas, looking extremely displeased, dialed Katniss's number several times, but it was off.

Losing patience, he sent a text: [Katniss, don't go too far!]