Chapter 20

“Why?” Clara Walton seemed to genuinely ponder the question, as if searching for what could have driven her to such an action. Then she lifted her head, looked Ethan Blackwood directly in the eye, and offered an unnervingly bright smile. There wasn’t a trace of guilt on her face over Fiona Barrington’s fall. Even her tone was breezy, almost careless: “Oh, maybe my hand slipped. She just… fell.” As she spoke, Clara mimed a light pushing motion, entirely unapologetic. Then she smiled playfully at Ethan: “Oops. My bad.” There was zero sincerity in her voice—not even a flicker. Clara was ice cold. Ethan stared at her, jaw tight, saying nothing. He’d expected her to deny it, or at least try to explain herself. He never imagined she’d be this calm—this outright dismissive. “You do realize Fiona has asthma, don’t you? Pushing her like that—what if you triggered an attack? Did that even cross your mind?” His voice was cold, sharp. Then he added, “And from that height—a fall like that could hav