Psycho villain I Raised Wants to Marry Me-Chapter277 – Can we go now?

Oriana glanced at Abyss — the massive black leopard now sitting calmly beside Clarissa like a spoiled housecat — and couldn’t help the pang of envy that hit her.
God, she wanted to pet it too.
Unfortunately, Abyss only tolerated Clarissa’s touch. Anyone else who tried got a low, bone-chilling growl and a flash of teeth for their trouble. The leopard never actually hurt anyone, but that didn’t make it any less terrifying.
“Yeah, good job today,” Clarissa said, smiling as she ruffled Abyss’s head. “You’ll get a treat when we get home.”
The beast’s tail thumped once against the floor.
Clarissa straightened, her tone calm but purposeful. “Let’s go. We’re almost out of time.”
“Right.” Oriana gave a disgusted glance toward the damp stain still on the floor — the one Virgil had left behind — and sidestepped it. “Ugh. We should put up a sign that says ‘Virgil Not Allowed.’”
Clarissa laughed softly. “Make sure someone cleans this up. We’ll need the room again tomorrow.”
“I know.”
As they walked down the hallway, Oriana glanced sideways at her. Since refusing to take over the Lancaster family fortune, Clarissa had seemed lighter somehow — freer, as if a weight had finally lifted off her shoulders.
The two of them barely made it out to the venue before a wave of fans descended, surrounding them. Clarissa took the pen from Oriana and began signing autographs, patient and gracious as always.
An hour later, when the crowd finally dispersed, Oriana let out a breath and shot her a look. “Ms. Clarissa, I know you care about your fans, but some of these people could have bad intentions. It’s better to be careful.”
Clarissa smiled faintly. “With Abyss around, what kind of thug do you think would dare come near me?”
Oriana opened her mouth, hesitated, then muttered under her breath, “Ordinary men, sure. But some people… are different.”
Clarissa turned her head. “What was that?”
“Nothing!” Oriana quickly waved her hands. “Miss Clarissa, come on — we’re already late. They’ve probably started without us.”
Clarissa laughed. “Why do you sound more anxious than I am?”
“Because I’m starving. I only had one meal today.”
Clarissa gave a playful sigh. “Alright, alright. Let’s go before you faint.”
......
As soon as they entered the banquet hall, Clarissa spotted Mark and Whitney surrounded by a crowd.
Whitney’s career had been on a steady rise these past few years — she wasn’t quite at Mark’s level, but she’d built a solid fan base. The two of them standing together looked like something out of a magazine — handsome, poised, perfectly matched.
Sensing her gaze, Mark turned instinctively. The moment he saw Clarissa, his face lit up. Excusing himself, he made his way through the crowd toward her.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” he said warmly. “I could’ve picked you up. Did everything go okay?”
Clarissa tilted her head. “What could possibly happen to me? Come on — we’re starving.”
Mark laughed and guided her to a table he’d reserved, immediately piling food onto her plate. “Eat more. You’ve been running yourself ragged preparing for that concert.”
Clarissa stopped him, smiling helplessly. “That’s enough. I can’t eat this much.”
“Then I’ll take it,” Oriana said, swooping in to grab the plate and shovel the food into her own mouth.
Mark’s expression turned icy. “You couldn’t get your own? Why are you eating off Clarissa’s plate?”
Oriana didn’t even blink. “Didn’t you hear Miss Clarissa say she couldn’t finish? As her top assistant, it’s my job to help.”
Mark’s jaw tightened. “Maybe if you ate a little less, you wouldn’t be—”
“What did you just say?” Oriana shot to her feet, glaring.
“Alright, enough,” Clarissa cut in quickly, setting down her chopsticks. “Both of you, sit down. Don’t start another fight in public.”
The two exchanged cold snorts before sitting back down, each pretending to ignore the other. Oriana fumed silently, muttering to herself that Mark was still the same arrogant bastard as ever.
When dinner ended, Mark stood and turned to Clarissa. “Do you want to dance?”
Clarissa looked at the crowded floor, people laughing and swaying to the music, and shook her head. “No. I’m tired. I’d rather go home and rest.”
A flicker of disappointment crossed his face, but he quickly covered it with a soft smile. “Alright. I’ll drive you home.”
“There’s no need,” she replied politely. “Oriana will drive.”
Mark frowned. “That girl just had a drink. I’ll take you.”
Before Oriana could fire back, someone nearby called out, “Oriana! Come over here!”
Then came the chorus: “You’re late! Three drinks as punishment!”
Before she could resist, she was swept up and dragged toward the other group.
“Hey—wait a second!” Oriana protested, shooting Mark a murderous glare as she disappeared into the crowd.
......
Mark gave Clarissa a faint smile. “Can we go now?”
Clarissa glanced at him, her tone dry. “Mark, you’re starting to make me uncomfortable.”
He smiled a little wider, trying to lighten the air. “Clarissa, can’t you at least give me a chance to talk? To catch up?”
She sighed softly. “Fine. Let’s go.”
They walked to the basement parking lot. Mark hurried ahead to open the car door for her, and Clarissa slid into the passenger seat without a word.
When he leaned in to fasten her seatbelt, she was already reaching for it herself. Their hands brushed, and Mark froze. Clarissa’s expression didn’t change.
He withdrew his hand, jaw tightening slightly, and started the car.
Clarissa turned to the window, staring out at the dark city streets. Her reflection in the glass looked calm — too calm.
Mark glanced at her from the corner of his eye. The way she drifted off into thought again, lost somewhere unreachable, made something sharp twist in his chest.
Then, without a word, he made a turn off the main road.
By the time Clarissa realized what was happening, the car had already come to a stop.
She opened the door instinctively and stepped out, frowning when she saw where they were. “Mark… this isn’t my place. What’s going on?”
Mark smiled, getting out as well. “You’ve been buried in work for weeks. I thought you could use some air.”
He reached for her hand before she could argue and gently led her forward. The sand crunched beneath their shoes, the sea breeze carrying that faint salt-and-water chill.
Clarissa’s heels sank awkwardly into the beach, and she gave a soft, helpless laugh before slipping them off. The cold sand under her bare feet felt strangely liberating. She took a few running steps, the tension in her shoulders finally easing.
Mark stood a short distance away, watching her — the wind tugging her hair loose, the moonlight sketching soft silver against her skin.
When she turned back, their eyes met.
Clarissa froze for half a second, then quickly looked away.
That tiny gesture — that fleeting avoidance — dimmed something inside him.
And then he moved.
Before she could react, Mark crossed the distance and pulled her into his arms.
“Mark!” Clarissa gasped, trying to push him back. “What are you doing?”
He held her tighter, his voice raw. “Clarissa, you know how I feel about you. You used to care about me too — I know you did. The misunderstandings, the past… it’s all over now. There’s no one standing between us. So why won’t you let me in? Did I do something wrong? Please—don’t treat me like this.”
Clarissa’s voice hardened. “Let go of me first.”
But his scent made her stomach twist. Panic prickled at her chest. She shoved at him harder this time, and he stumbled back a step, stunned.
“Clarissa…” His voice was strained, full of something broken.
She looked at him squarely, her tone calm but resolute. “Mark, didn’t we already talk about this? I don’t have those feelings for you anymore. We can be friends — even family, if that’s what you want — but I can’t give you what you’re asking for.”
“Why?” His voice rose, frustration leaking through. “Just tell me why! What is it about me you don’t like?”
“It’s not that,” she said softly. “You’re good. You’re… perfect, really.”
She trailed off, unable to find the right words. Then she lifted her gaze again, steady and sad. “But love isn’t something you can force. I don’t feel that way anymore. So please, don’t do this again. Otherwise, we can’t even stay friends.”
She took a breath. “That’s all for tonight. I’ll call someone from the Wraith family to pick me up.”
And with that, she turned and walked away.
Mark stood there watching her silhouette recede into the dark, feeling something inside him tear open.
Over the years, Clarissa had changed. She was no longer the naive girl who once clung to him — she had become poised, composed, and heartbreakingly out of reach.
His fists clenched at his sides. Bitterness flickered in his eyes. Clarissa had forgotten that bastard Atticus — he was sure of it. So why couldn’t she love him again?
They’d known each other first. He’d been there first. So why… why did Atticus get the part of her heart that never came back?
He took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair, forcing himself to calm down. Then he jogged forward, catching up to her.
“Clarissa—wait.” He grabbed her hand, softer this time. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. Let me take you home.”
Clarissa hesitated.
“Please,” he added quietly. “Don’t embarrass me like that.”
For a moment, she looked at him. His face overlapped with the boy she used to know, the one she once trusted without hesitation. Memories flickered behind her eyes, bittersweet and distant.
She sighed. “Alright. Let’s just go. I’m tired.”
“Okay.”
The drive back was silent. When they arrived, Clarissa unbuckled her seatbelt before Mark could move. She stepped out, went to the back seat, and opened the door for Abyss.
The massive leopard jumped out, stretching with a low grunt, clearly relieved to be free.
When Mark followed her out, Clarissa turned slightly. “I can go in myself.” She hesitated, then added, “Mark, I hope this won’t happen again. I still mean what I said — we’re just friends.”
For a second, his fingers tightened around the steering wheel, knuckles whitening. He forced a small smile.
“I know,” he said quietly.
Clarissa nodded. “Good. I’m glad you understand.”
He opened his mouth, as if to say something else, but she was already walking off, Abyss padding silently at her side.
Dragging her exhausted body through the door, Clarissa kicked off her heels and let out a long sigh. She made it to the sofa before collapsing onto it, limbs limp with fatigue.
Abyss padded after her, his claws clicking softly on the floor, and climbed up beside her.
Clarissa curled against his massive, warm body, her cheek resting on his fur. “God, I’m dead tired… It was only one performance, but the rehearsals and prep nearly killed me.”
Abyss gave a low rumbling growl, almost like a grumble in agreement.
Clarissa chuckled weakly and reached up to stroke his head. “Come on, big guy. Let’s wash your paws before you get sand all over the place.”