Three years of loving him, three days to erase myself from his world novel Chapter 281

Had he come out here just to wait for her?

A flutter of warmth brushed against Clara Vance's heart. Suddenly shy, she lowered her gaze, entirely unsure of what to say.

Dominic Jarrett's gaze grew heavy. Not wanting to make her uncomfortable, he kept his voice low.

"I won't tease you anymore. I actually came out to make a phone call, and when I saw you, I figured I'd ask—did you have something you wanted to tell me?"

Hearing this, the tight strings of Clara's heart finally loosened a fraction. She gave a soft hum of agreement and looked up at him.

"I do, actually. Mr. Jarrett, I can't accept those millions of dollars. As soon as the organizers wire the money to my account, I'll transfer it right back to you."

Dominic's smile stiffened slightly. "Why return it?"

"I..." Clara struggled to find the words, looking at him helplessly with her clear, innocent eyes.

Dominic's expression softened. His Adam's apple bobbed silently. After a long moment, he compromised, his voice gentle. "Don't worry, I didn't mean anything by it." He curled his long fingers slightly. "Didn't I buy other people's designs too?"

He had.

But still...

Clara was torn.

As if reading her mind, Dominic let out a soft sigh and added, "I targeted Seraphina Shaw purely because I can't stand her behavior."

Clara's eyelashes fluttered.

Dominic said, "Now, can you accept the money in peace?"

If anyone else had seen the notoriously ruthless Dominic Jarrett coaxing a woman with such patience, their jaws would have dropped.

Dominic didn't care. He simply wanted his woman to live comfortably. Once she entered the competition, she would face plenty of obstacles. This money would help her solve the problems she hated dealing with. And, of course, he would always be standing right behind her.

Since he had put it that way, Clara couldn't bring herself to argue anymore. She gave a small nod. "Alright, then..."

Dominic smiled. "If you want to say thank you, you can buy me dinner."

How did he know she was going to say thank you?

Clara looked up in surprise, her bright, luminous eyes wide with a trace of shock. She looked incredibly endearing.

Dominic felt a sudden urge to reach out and touch her cheek, but he held back, afraid of startling her. He rubbed his fingertips together and suggested, "Let's get The Honey-Glazed Sea Bass."

The Honey-Glazed Sea Bass...

Clara froze. For a fleeting second, an image flashed before her eyes, but it vanished before she could catch it, leaving behind only an overwhelming sense of familiarity.

Truth be told, she had never eaten The Honey-Glazed Sea Bass in Capital City. But hearing him suggest it sparked a bizarre sense of déjà vu.

It felt as if... she used to eat it all the time.

Dominic watched her intently.

He knew it had triggered something in her.

It seemed the plan designed by The Memory Specialists was working perfectly. Once they got to the restaurant, he would show her the video they had prepared. Hopefully, it would help her remember even more.

He had noticed them the moment they stepped out. Even though he couldn't hear what they were saying, the flush on the woman's cheeks spoke volumes.

Isabella Gates's voice drifted through his phone.

"Do you honestly think Clara Vance means anything to me? You don't even care about her, so why should I? Enough, don't overthink it. Just remember to come back to the estate tomorrow."

Julian stared in the direction the two had left, suddenly finding his mother's words incredibly grating.

He didn't reply. He simply hung up the phone and dialed Clara's number.

It rang for exactly one second before being declined.

Julian watched with his own eyes as she frowned, hung up on him, and went right back to chatting with Dominic Jarrett. He let out a dark, cynical laugh, unable to tell if he was furious at her coldness or simply... consumed by jealousy.

"You've really got some nerve!"

He dialed her number again.

This time, Clara picked up. Judging by her tone, she only answered out of pure annoyance. "Hello? What do you want?"

Julian's heart sank. The words he had meant to say twisted into a cold, biting interrogation.

"Where are you? Who are you with? Why didn't you answer my call just now?"

The three rapid-fire questions felt like an accusation.

Clara flared up. When he was openly protecting Seraphina Shaw in the banquet hall just moments ago, did she say a single word?