Beyond The Envy

Dr. Colbar, puzzled, denied any involvement, adding a mocking comment about Hester having a friend in the first place. Hester responded with a sarcastic laugh and a pointed remark, "And I suppose you have plenty?" A tense silence followed, broken by Hester accusing him of being fake. Leaning back, she goaded him, "Sweetheart, if you want to be fake, make it realistic." Dr. Colbar, adopting a cold demeanor, asserted, "Hester Louise, you changed your father's fate, and you were brought here to change the city's." Unfazed, Hester smirked and crossed her legs. "And? That means I should do it, or something?" Dr. Colbar rolled his eyes, calling her impossible. Hester, cupping her chin, teased, "You know you like a challenge, Dr." 

"That I do." He admitted, glaring at her.

Amused, Hester proposed a deal, asking if he would take her home in return for her help. Dr. Colbar, his warm demeanor returning, extended his hand. "Thus, we have a deal?" She nodded, "Yes, we do." Standing up, she declared her intention to explore the mall and report her findings, mentioning her worried father. "Though, my father, would he not worry ofr my absence?" Dr. Colbar, waving off her concerns, revealed, "Here, a day passes, but only a second in your little world." As she closed the door, his dismissive gesture lingered in the air.

Exhaling deeply, Hester's expansive shoulders rose and fell as she set off in search of the twins. "Carter? Cara?" she called out, but her quest was interrupted when she collided with a tall, slender woman. The woman's white hair was neatly tied in a bun as she turned her head, disdain and sass evident in her two blue eyes. Picking at her choker, she regarded Hester with clear disinterest and blinked slowly before mumbling, "Can I help you?"

Unfazed, Hester inquired, "No, but have you seen two gingers, a girl and a boy?" The blue-eyed woman chuckled knowingly. "You're looking for the twins? You must be new if they're the ones you're lookin' for." Extending her hand, she began introducing herself, but Dr. Colbar's sudden appearance cut her off. He glared at her, completing the introduction. "Claudia Blackwood." He spat out the woman's name just like how someone would hiss out a curse. "And what are the likes of you doing here?" he hissed, eyeing the girl.

Claudia, nonchalant and unfazed, batted her lashes and smiled slyly. "That's me," she declared. Dr. Colbar, visibly agitated, accused her of being a ballistic animal. Claudia retorted, "I'm no animal, doc. I'd say I'm quite sane," shrugging off the insult. Hester, lifting a brow, chimed in, "She does look sane." Agreeing with the eccentric woman. "Excuse me?" Dr. Colbar hissed, glaring at her. Claudia proudly proclaimed, "See? She gets it," grinning ear to ear. Hester nudged Claudia, asking, "So, Claudia. Why are you here?" Claudia, maintaining her nonchalant demeanor, eyed her nails and casually replied, "Looking for the mall owner." Dr. Colbar, speaking through gritted teeth, started speaking and demanded to know her intentions. "Well you've found him. What do you want?"