Chapter 132: Deception vs. Outrage

After leaving the Japanese restaurant, Claire Grace and Lucas Zeller went their separate ways, driving home in opposite directions, each lost in their own thoughts yet sharing the same unspoken tension. 

"I'm heading back to shower and wait for my wife to get home," Roy Lin had joked mischievously before parting ways, a sly grin tugging at his lips. 

Lucas smirked faintly at his friend's antics but couldn't suppress the image of his wife, Sarah, peacefully asleep. Her face, so serene and pure, unblemished like porcelain, lingered in his mind as he gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. A soft warmth tugged at the corners of his lips. 

Twenty minutes later, Lucas's car rolled into the driveway of the Zeller estate. 

He walked toward the front door with light, deliberate steps, his hand hesitating over the doorbell. They're probably asleep by now, he thought. It'd be better to use my key than risk disturbing them. 

Carefully unlocking the door, he stepped inside quietly, only to notice the living room lights still blazing. His curiosity piqued, he moved toward the sofa—and froze. 

Curled up on the couch was Blaire Zeller, her knees drawn to her chest, arms tightly wrapped around herself. She looked so small and vulnerable in that moment. 

"Blaire?" Lucas called softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. 

Startled awake, Blaire jolted upright, her wide, frightened eyes locking onto Lucas. 

"Blaire, what's wrong?" he asked, concern knitting his brow as he steadied her trembling frame. "Did you have a nightmare?" 

"Lucas? You're back?" Blaire's eyes gradually focused, recognition flooding in, but her nervousness didn't fade. 

Since Claire had left earlier, Blaire's mind had been racing with worry. What if Lucas came home and started asking about Claire? She had no idea how to explain. Should she feign ignorance? Or maybe leave tomorrow for the U.S. to avoid confrontation altogether? 

"Blaire, are you feeling unwell? Or is something on your mind?" Lucas pressed gently, noticing her unease. 

"N-no, nothing like that," Blaire stammered, her voice shaky. "I'm just... groggy from falling asleep." 

Lucas studied her intently, his sharp gaze seeing through her thin excuse. After a pause, he nodded. "If you're tired, go to your room to rest. Sleeping out here could give you a cold." 

He turned to head upstairs but stopped abruptly, glancing over his shoulder. "By the way, is Sarah not back yet?" 

"W-what? Sarah?" Blaire's heart raced. He's asking! What do I say? 

Lucas's piercing gaze narrowed. "Blaire, why are you so flustered?" 

"I'm not!" Blaire forced herself to appear calm, though her trembling hands betrayed her. 

"Your hands are shaking. That's not flustered? Don't tell me you're cold," Lucas countered, his voice firm but edged with suspicion. "What did you do, Blaire?" 

"I... I didn't do anything!" Blaire's voice pitched higher, her panic betraying her. 

Lucas's expression darkened. "If you didn't, why are you acting so strangely? Did you say something to Sarah?" 

"No! I didn't say anything to her! How could you accuse me of that?" Blaire's denial came too quickly, her words unraveling her attempt at deception. 

"You didn't?" Lucas's eyes turned icy. "Then how did you know that's what I was going to ask?" 

Caught, Blaire shrank back, hugging her knees tightly. "I... I guessed." 

Lucas wasn't letting it slide. He moved closer, his tall frame looming over her as he rested a firm hand on her shoulder. "Then guess what I'm about to ask next." 

"Lucas, stop! You're hurting my neck!" Blaire protested, trying to wriggle free. 

Lucas stepped back, his voice dropping to a chilling calm. "I only asked if she was back, Blaire. Why are you acting like this? What happened?" 

"I... Fine! I'll tell you!" Blaire suddenly stood, her voice rising in defiance. "She went out!" 

Lucas's brow furrowed. "Went out? What does that mean? Where did she go?" 

"She came home early but left again later. I don't know where she went!" Blaire snapped, frustrated by his relentless questioning. 

"Sarah wouldn't leave without saying something. That's not like her," Lucas pressed. 

"Well, we argued, okay?" Blaire admitted, her voice cracking. "She left after we had a fight. She wasn't going to tell me where she was going!" 

"You argued?" Lucas's tone grew sharper. "Sarah wouldn't leave over something like that. What did you say to her?" 

Blaire hesitated, her lips trembling. "I told her..." She looked up at Lucas, guilt filling her wide eyes. "I told her about how you stopped production of 'Blaire's Boutique' because of me. And I told her about how you've always called me your treasure." 

Lucas froze, his expression hardening into something unrecognizable. "So, she left because of you?" 

"I didn't think she'd take it so seriously!" Blaire cried. 

"Enough!" Lucas's voice thundered through the room. His fury was palpable, his hands balling into fists at his sides. "Sarah's kind and patient. She wouldn't have left unless you said something far worse. What else did you tell her?" 

"Lucas, you're yelling at me for her? I'm your sister!" Blaire fired back, tears streaking her face. "Fine! I told her I've loved you for years. I told her everything. But it's the truth! What's so wrong with that?" 

Lucas's fist clenched mid-air before he slowly let it fall, his face a storm of emotions. "Blaire, you've crossed a line. Tomorrow, you're leaving for the U.S. Pack your things, and don't let me see you again anytime soon." 

Blaire crumpled onto the sofa, tears spilling over. She whispered, "I didn't mean to hurt her..." 

---

Driving aimlessly through the city streets, Lucas gripped the wheel tightly, his other hand repeatedly redialing Sarah's number, only to be met with the same robotic message: "The number you have dialed is currently unavailable..." 

"Sarah, where are you?" he muttered under his breath, his voice strained with worry. 

He slowed the car, scanning the sidewalks for any sign of her, but his search yielded nothing. Where could she have gone? Sarah had no family here and only a handful of friends. 

His mind raced. Blaine Jackson's studio? 

Without another thought, Lucas floored the accelerator, speeding toward Blaine's salon.