“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 51

***Ethan’s POV:***

I watched Granger squirm around to find an answer, or better yet find a lie to tell. He already knew she wasn’t coming as did I. Suddenly, his VP Edward nervously walked over.

*“Chairman Taylor, a pleasure your being-”*

Ethan cut Edward off. He was no longer in the mood for this *“lighthearted”* conversation. Enough time had already passed.

*“Well Chairman, let’s hear it. Where’s Clara?”*

Sophie’s eyes began to burn with hatred; tonight was her big night and all they cared about was that stupid girl! What the hell was so special about her! Masking her emotions, Sophie walked up and placed her hand on Ethan’s shoulder.

*“Chairman Taylor, my father informed us you would like to work with JGP, we’re all so excited! I’m afraid my sister couldn’t make it this evening, however. You see she’s come down with the flu.”*

Ethan looked at Sophie as if she were something filthy. Moving his shoulder so that she could no longer touch him, he took a step back. Owen then handed him a wipe to clean his shoulder. Sophie nearly screamed.

*‘That fucking prick! Is he insinuating that I’m dirty!’*

Owen glanced at Sophie.

*“Ms. Granger, please reframe from touching the chairman, he doesn’t like the idea of germs being spread.”*

Once again, masking her emotions, Sophie forced a smile.

*“My apologies. I understand Chairman. Well, as you all can see, my sister will not be joining us this evening. Please continue to enjoy the gala.”*

Without so much as glancing at Sophie, Ethan began to speak.

*“I’m disappointed Granger. I was told Clara would be here; she’s the only reason I would come to something like this. You and your VP assured me she’d be here.”*

Jameson grew nervous, he knew this would be problem. *‘This is all that damn girl’s fault!’* He began to seethe inwardly making sure Ethan wouldn’t notice. Edward finally spoke in a low unconvincing tone.

*“Chairman Taylor, I’m sure you’re disappointed as all of us. However, as Jameson stated, Clara is unwell. Surly she wouldn’t be in the mood for a gala.”*

Ethan smirked, a thought instantly popping in his head.

*“Then call her.”*

Jameson nearly gagged.

*“What!”*

*“You heard me. Call her. If she’s sick should she be at home correct? Then why don’t you call her.”*

Before Jameson could panic, a sudden thought popped into his head, he knew there was no way Clara would answer her phone for him; he could use that as a way to further prove she was sick. With a smug smile, Jameson pulled out his phone.

*“Fine chairman, I’ll call my daughter.”*

After one ring, Clara’s voicemail answered.

*“Hey, you’ve reached Clara, sorry I can’t come to the phone right now so please leave a message.”*

Jameson clicked his phone, a smile triumphed on his face.

*“As you can see Chairman Taylor, my daughter is too sick to even answer the phone. I truly don’t appreciate you-”*

Before Jameson could finish however, Ethan pulled out his phone and dialed a number. After two rings a woman answered.

It was Clara.

*“Hello, this is Clara.”*

Gasps irrupted throughout the crowd.

There was a lightness in Clara’s voice that made Ethan’s heart flutter with an emotion he wasn’t familiar with. In a soothing tone, he began to speak.

*“Hello Clara, I just wanted to make sure you were enjoying your upgrade.”*

Silence followed by a giggle.

*“Oh, my goodness! Yes! I’ve never been on a private jet before! This is so amazing!”*

Ethan could feel his heart pounding at the sound of her voice. In a smiling tone he spoke.

*“I’m glad to hear that. I just wanted to make sure you were well. Have a safe flight.”*

There was a slight pause on the line as if neither of them wanted to hang up. Right as Ethan was going to press the end button, Clara screamed wait. Not wanting to give too much away, Ethan took the phone off speaker.

*“How can I help you Ms. Clara?”*

Silence.

*“Can I at least know who my benefactor of this marvelous jet is?”*

Ethan slightly blushed.

*“In due Ms. Rouleau.”*

Clara gasped slightly. *‘How did he know I was going by Rouleau?’*, but instead of asking, she smiled and whispered,

*“Thank you.”*

*“My pleasure.”*

After hanging up with Clara, Ethan handed his phone to Owen who was now smirking in a painful attempt to conceal his laughter. The people around them faces now in shock.

*“She doesn’t sound sick to me Chairman.”*

Jameson eye’s began to bulge.

*“You put my daughter on a private jet! That’s why I couldn’t find her! Where is she!”*

Ethan laughed lightly.

*“Find her. I thought she was at home sick. So, you knew she was gone and would not be showing up, yet you and your family chose to lie? How ridiculous.”*

Everyone faces turned ashen at Ethan’s accusations. The crowd began circling in as they started to notice the commotion.

*“Where is my daughter Taylor! You have no right interfering with family matters! You lied as well!”*

Ethan smiled mischievously.

*“Oh, tell me Granger, how did I lie?”*

*“W-Well, you knew Clara wasn’t coming because you put her on a jet, yet you came here stating she would come!”*

Ethan rolled his eyes.

*“Your memory is as bad as your lies Granger. I never said she would show up…you did. All I did was asked where she was at.”*

The color began to drain from Jameson’s face, Ethan was correct, he never lied about anything. Suddenly, Sophie spoke up.

*“Look Chairman Taylor, I don’t appreciate you’re coming here in an attempt to embarrass my family! Did my sister put you up to this? She’s been jealous of me her entire life!”*

Ethan let out a hysterical laugh catching everyone in the ballroom’s attention. Suddenly, the music stopped, and all eyes were them.

*“Jealous. Let me get this straight. You think someone as intelligent, brilliant, beautiful, and caring as Clara Rouleau would waste her time being jealous of someone as mediocre as you?”*

Sophie’s face began to redden with fire. How dare he speak to her that way! But Ethan didn’t stop there.

*“With regard to embarrassment, how could I possibly embarrass you all more than you embarrassed yourselves this evening? Throwing some extravagant gala merely because you graduated number 362 in your class, that’s embarrassment.”*

Ethan’s eye’s darkened.

“Spending years celebrating mediocrity because you were inferior to your former wife and daughter…THAT is embarrassing. The only reason people are here tonight is because of your father’s influence. Influence made off the back of Caroline Rouleau.”

Jameson nearly caught on fire from rage! How dare he say that! He built this business! He was the true king!

*“You’ve crossed the line Taylor! I don’t give a shit who you are! Get out of here now! JGP will never work with you!”*

Owen suddenly let out a light laugh.

*“Chairman Granger, you’re severely mistaken, the chairman never had any intentions on dealing with your outdated company, our only interest has been Ms. Rouleau.”*

Jameson could feel all the blood draining from his face. He’d been made a complete fool in front of everyone. As Ethan and Owen turned to walk away, Jason finally spoke up.

*“Chairman Taylor! What’s your relationship with my fiancé!”*

Ethan raised his eyebrow in confusion.

*“Exactly what relationship would I have with the likes of Sophie Granger.”*

Jason’s face reddened, he wasn’t referring to Sophie. In a low and embarrassed tone, he clarified.

*“I meant Clara.”*

Ethan’s eyes lit up with laughter.

Sophie looked at Jason as if she were eating crushed glass. How could he refer to Clara as his fiancé! Ethan also looked annoyed.

*‘The nerve of this asshole, calling Clara his fiancé after announcing an engagement to her sister.’*

*“You’ll forgive me if I was confused due to your need to ‘keep it in the family’. That being said, I overheard you announce your engagement to Sophie Granger. I’d reframe from calling someone else your fiancé.”*

Ethan turned around and continued towards the door, pausing for a brief moment.

*“And whatever my interest is in Clara, no longer your concern.”*

With that, Ethan and Owen left the ballroom leaving the guests all in shock and the Grangers severely embarrassed. While Jason looked completely foolish.