“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 49

***Jameson’s POV:***

As Jameson finished dressing for the gala, frustration gloomed over his face. For the past several hours, his assistant tried locating Clara with no luck. She wasn’t registered in any hotels, rideshares, or domestic flights. Where could she have gone in such short notice with little to no money! As he finished his tie, his phone rang.

*“Have you found her!”*

The assistant stuttered nervously on the phone.

*“I-I’m sorry sir. I can’t locate her anywhere. It’s as if she’s vanished.”*

Jameson slammed his phone down. That’s impossible! Someone must have been helping her! Anna walked into their grand closet just as Jameson was finishing his tie. She could see the annoyance on his face.

*‘That damn brat!’*

She seethed inwardly hating that Clara may steal her daughter’s special moment.

*‘So, what she’s so genius! Jameson doesn’t care about her anymore than he cared about her mother!’*

Walking up behind Jameson, she slithered her arm over his shoulder while looking at him in the mirror.

*“You look handsome my love.”*

She cooed as she walked in front of him, but Jameson’s face was still darkened. Still, Anna believed she could sooth him like she always had.

*“Honey, whatever is going on with that girl, it won’t be resolved tonight. Come on, everyone is already. Let’s head to the hotel and celebrate our daughter’s graduation. We’ll deal with everything else tomorrow.”*

Jameson looked down at Anna, he knew what she was saying was true, but we still feared what would happen tonight if Clara didn’t show up.

*“You don’t understand Anna, if she doesn’t-”*

*“If she doesn’t show up, we’ll make up a compelling story of how she came down with the flu. I’ll back you all the way up and with Sophia and Jason corroborating, Chairman Taylor will have to believe us.”*

Jameson smiled at Anna, this was why he fell in love with her. She always knew exactly what to say and do to make him feel better. Pulling her into his arms, he placed a kiss gently on her lips.

*“You’re right dear. I love you. Come, let’s go celebrate our daughter.”*

Anna smiled in triumph as Jameson took her hand. ‘See that Caroline, even in your death, you can’t beat me.’

As Jameson and Anna made their way to the foyer, they saw Sophie and Jason smiling at each other. Sophie was wearing a beautiful pink gown with powder pink jewels for accessories. She looked absolutely beautiful as she smiled in triumph.

*‘See this Clara, it doesn’t matter how smart you are, daddy only cares about me, and Jason only wants me.’*

Jameson walked up and kissed Sophie on the cheek as he beamed with joy.

*“Princess, you look beautiful!”*

*“Yes, La Carte has truly outdone themselves with this beautiful gown!”*

Anna chimed in as Sophie spun in a circle. Jameson then turned to Jason, holding out his hand, he shook Jason’s with fatherly pride.

*“Jason, you look handsome tonight. Remember you’re representing my daughter and take good care of her.”*

Jason beamed with pride; he wasn’t sure how Jameson would respond to his relationship with Sophie considering he was engaged to Clara. Suddenly, Sophie began to pout.

*“Oh daddy, it’s not fair! Clara will be marrying Jason when everyone knows we love each other. Why should she get my happy ending!”*

Jameson walked up to his daughter with a protective stare.

*“Not to worry princess, I’ll be speaking with Sterlings soon regarding changing his fiancé. That brat doesn’t deserve to be happy after how she’s been behaving!”*

Sophie and Jason’s eyes gleamed! Finally, they could be together officially. For a slight moment, however, Jason felt a nudge of guilt. He’d known Clara since they were children, at one point, he was in love with her. But she just wasn’t like Sophie. Sophie knew how to cater to him and stroke his ego when needed, he knew she would always be submissive and play every part of the trophy wife instead of him being Mr. Granger because he married the great genius Clara. This was the right choice, otherwise he would be in Clara’s shadow forever.

As they made their way to the limo, Jameson told himself that once he found Clara, he would make sure she paid.

*‘I’m going lock that brat in the basement so that she can never leave again! I’ll make sure she only works for JGP as my unofficial slave.’*

Jameson smiled smugly as the family made it way to the hotel for Sophie’s big night.

Once they arrived, Anna and Jameson immediately began getting prepared to meet the guest as Sophie made her way to the dressing suite before making her grand entrance. Smiling at herself in the mirror, Sophie felt accomplished. 

*‘Everyone is here to see me! And just like everything else she holds dear, I’ll make sure I steal her precious company too. All of her brilliance will be given to me on a silver platter just like her father and fiancé.’*

As the guests began to arrive, Anna and Jameson played the roles of perfect hosts, greeting and thanking everyone as they made their way into the ballroom.

*“Jameson, Anna. How are you!”*

Alen Conway one of Glendale’s most respected neurosurgeons greeted the Grangers along with his wife and daughter Terra.

*“Alen! It’s been a long-time old friend! How’s the hospital. You’re the chief of neuro-surgery correct?”*

*“The hospital is going great, and yes! In fact, we’re getting a new ward build over the summer.”*

*“That’s excellent to here! I’m sure you’re running things like a tight ship. And Isabelle, you and Terra look absolutely beautiful.”*

Jameson took Isabelle’s hand into his and placed a light kiss on the back of her hand. Alen followed suit with Anna.

*“Anna you look breathtaking as always. We can’t to see the guest of honor.”*

Anna beamed with pride.

*“She’s so excited! It’s such an honor to have everyone here celebrating her big night.”*

Alen’s daughter Terra, however, scoffed under her breath.

*‘What the hell is the big deal about graduating from high school? Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do?”*

Terra also attended Bartrum Private Academy, and she was all too familiar with the Granger sisters. Like many, Terra admired Clara not only for her brilliance, but for her sweet and loving personality. She was always kind and helped others, tutoring them when they needed assistance and always smiling. She never looked down on anyone or made them feel less than. That was Sophie. Sophie was crude, arrogant, and spoiled. She made people feel small, always boasting about how her father got her anything she wanted, and she was his perfect princess.

The truth was, Sophie lived in the shadows of Clara’s brilliance so to make up for it, she used being mean as a defense mechanism. It wasn’t until Clara left for college that others even paid her any real attention. They all watched as she roamed through the school like she was some queen bee with Jason following behind her like some love puppy. It all made Terra sick, others may have been willing to suck up to her, but she wasn’t. The only reason she was here tonight was because her parents dragged her.

*“Terra, say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Granger.”*

Terra’s father snapped her back to reality. Just as she was about to speak, the announcer stepped to the podium.

*“Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf or Mr. and Mrs. Granger, they would like to thank everyone from celebrating this joyous night as they celebrate their beautiful daughter Sophie graduating from Bartrum Private Academy, one of city’s most prestigious high schools. If everyone could please make their way to the center, Ms. Sophie Granger will be arriving now."*