Chapter 168

"You get it now, right? I never did anything to you. It was all thanks to your 'bestie.'" Clara said with a calm voice, her eyes drifting to the side, lips curling up slightly. "Speak of the devil—look who's here. Your 'best friend' just walked in. What a coincidence, huh?" In the middle of the red carpet, Ava arrived, wearing a strapless gown, arm hooked with Gary King's. Hadn't she turned him down before? What changed? Clara watched curiously as Ava, spotting them, leaned in to say something to Gary before strolling over. "Wow, fancy running into both of you here," Ava greeted, beaming. Her gaze lingered on Clara. "You're keeping it lowkey tonight, huh?" Everyone else was decked out in full gowns—except Clara. "Didn't expect to see you and Gary together again," Clara commented, sizing her up. Ava didn't even try to fake it. "We're just playing a role for the night. He needed a plus one that fits the part, and I needed him to get me in. That's all." She wasn't pretending to be sweet l