Chapter 81 Clara, Marry Me

He hesitated for a moment, seeming uncertain about what to do next. After a brief silence, he lowered his voice, a complex emotion appearing on his face, and said softly, "Clara, actually there’s something I want to tell you, I—" "Don’t say it!" Clara Bennett interrupted him without hesitation, her tone crisp and firm, leaving no room for him to continue speaking. Her actions were equally decisive as she grabbed William Foster’s hand and placed it on her shoulder. In that moment, the two of them were even closer, to the point where they could vaguely feel each other’s breath. Then, Clara took a deep breath, her gaze intense, and her tone even more determined, "We’ll talk once we get out alive!" Clara silently vowed to herself that no matter what the cost, she would not believe she would fail! This second chance in life was of extraordinary significance to her; she was not someone who wasted her life on meaningless things. Since fate had given her the chance to start over, she would not allow herself to face death again. After confirming the safety measures between them, Clara quickly checked the water pipes tied around their waists. She carefully looped them around, ensuring each knot was secure and reliable. Once secured, she looked up at William Foster and once again reminded him, "Hold tight, don’t let go!" Although William Foster had been pretending to be unable to move, he understood from the current circumstances that there was no room for hesitation anymore. At this point, he could only follow Clara’s lead and act according to her instructions. The next moment, he no longer needed to think, for Clara had already taken a crucial step by pulling his wrist. With a slight rustling sound, she led William Foster over the railing, their bodies instantly suspended in mid-air, sustained only by a few simple yet sturdy water pipes, dangling above the ground. The wind whistled past, a chill seeping into their bones, time seemingly slowing down at that moment. Yet Clara exhibited no hesitation or fear, maintaining a steady gaze below. Her voice remained calm and resolute, imbued with a convincing power even in such a dangerous situation. "Count to three and jump!" Her words, like a sharp blade, sliced through the air and struck their ears. By this point, there was no turning back, only the sole option awaited realization. Faced with the situation, William Foster was silent for a moment but eventually nodded in agreement. He knew Clara’s skills were solid, and he had confidence in his physical capabilities. Yet even so, he couldn’t help but feel anxious at that moment. Since nothing could be changed, all he could do now was adjust his mindset... Then muster his courage and take a gamble. With Clara’s command, her voice crisp and unwavering, echoing in the empty stairway. At virtually the same time, they released their grips, moving with such swiftness that there was no hint of hesitation. At the moment of free fall, it felt as though time stood still; William Foster felt the wind roaring past his ears, his heart racing as if a caged beast anxious to break free. Countless images flashed in his mind, and for a brief moment, he doubted if he would indeed face a tragic fall. Yet the adrenaline from the risk charged his blood to a boil. Then the safety ropes on their bodies suddenly tightened with a crisp "snap." The tremendous pull securely caught both of them, preventing a direct fall to the ground. Clara reacted quickly, her slender arm deftly reached out, accurately grasping the cold iron railing beside the stairs, rolling smoothly to the ground with the momentum, the entire process fluid and unhesitant. Her body turned quickly against the ground, her movements clean and efficient, exhibiting her well-honed professional skills. William Foster wasn’t far behind, swiftly reaching for the railing, stabilizing himself with his strong core muscles, and soon landing on the ground beside her. Although the impact at landing made his elbow slightly numb, he ignored these small details, focusing entirely on the situation before him. With their vigorous actions, the air seemed disturbed, the atmosphere in the stairwell becoming unusually lively. Petals and feathers swirled through the air like a dazzling snowfall, scattering around them. The soft feathers drifted gently, some even landing on their shoulders, adding a hint of romance to the scene, though no one noticed the warmth in this beautiful sight now. Clara propped herself on the ground with one hand, and upon touching the floor, she felt an unexpected softness. She frowned, quickly glancing downwards. "What the heck?" She mumbled, her tone full of confusion and surprise. Looking more closely, William Foster was lying beneath her! And even more incredibly, he had seized the opportunity to wrap his arms around her neck, looking remarkably relaxed. This intimate contact completely ignited Clara’s emotions, and just as she was about to unleash her fury, the next second, an unexpected kiss silenced her entirely. William Foster’s action was entirely natural, as though it was always part of their plan, without any embarrassment or hesitation. Feeling the strong thrill of their extreme maneuver, he couldn’t help but kiss deeper, his passion climbing to its peak. However, Clara soon came to her senses, and when she realized what had just happened, her eyes blazed with anger, and she gritted her teeth, using all her strength to forcefully push William Foster away, quickly adjusting her posture to straddle him, pressing her hands on his chest, coldly staring into his eyes and demanding, "Are you playing with me? Was this all premeditated?" After being pushed away, William Foster gasped slightly, but he did not show panic, instead took a deep breath, calmly reaching into his pocket to pull out a small, delicate box. He opened it, revealing a ring that glittered faintly in its velvet interior. With a serious expression, his eyes fixed on Clara, he emphasized each word, "Clara, marry me." The weight of his words struck Clara’s mind like a bombshell, turning her previously angry face utterly ashen. A few seconds later, her fury surged like a tide, crashing over her as she finally understood this was all a carefully orchestrated game. Her rage surged like a blazing flame shooting to her head, "You jerk—" She shouted, without hesitation swinging her hand to knock the delicate ring box aside, the action so forceful that the ring was flung to the corner. Then, she leaned down, grabbing William Foster’s collar harshly, pulling his face close, her voice brimming with indignation and doubt, "I was sincerely trying to save you, and in the end, this is your game? An act, right? You think this is a joke?"