Beyond The Envy

Cara emerged behind Hester, her head tilting as she gazed up at Claudia, who towered over her by a few inches. "Evening, Blackwood," Cara greeted, her hand resting on Hester's shoulder. "Good evening, dollface," Claudia replied, tilting her head and placing a hand on her hip, her eyes fixed on Cara. "Shouldn't you be gallivanting outside the mall?"

Cara retorted sharply, shooting Claudia a piercing glare. "Why, it seems everyone in this mall simply despises my presence. Can't a lady earn a little respect, doll?" Claudia chuckled, her words making Hester wince as she felt Cara's grip tighten on her shoulder. "Lady? Where?" Cara shot back, causing Hester to suppress a laugh. "I think it's important to show respect to any woman, regardless of titles," Hester interjected playfully, giving Cara a teasing look.

"It's just not very lady-like, you know." Claudia threw her head back, releasing a carefree laugh. "Do I look like I care about being lady-like, Hester?" Cara responded, arching a brow. "Not at all, Cara," Hester replied before Claudia chimed in, "Doll, have you got any clue where your brother is? I hope he misses me as much as I miss the boy."

Claudia's gaze toward Cara was sly yet sharp, clearly broaching a sensitive topic. Cara released her grip on Hester's shoulder, fixing a glare on Claudia. Meanwhile, Hester sighed in relief, gently rubbing her shoulder as tension built up.

"I'm sure he misses you a great deal," Cara growled, her eyes narrowing at Claudia. Just when Hester thought it couldn't get any more intense, Carter appeared from behind her, firmly grasping her other shoulder. "Well, well, what do we have here?" he remarked with a sassy tone, sizing Claudia up and down. 

As Carter's arrival interrupts the tense standoff, Claudia shifts her gaze to him, a smirk playing on her lips. "Looks like the gang's all here," she quips, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Carter's presence seems to add fuel to the already fiery exchange between Cara and Claudia. Cara, her jaw tense, takes a step closer to Claudia, her eyes ablaze with determination.

"What's your game, Claudia?" she demands, her voice low and steady. Hester, caught in the middle of the brewing conflict, feels the weight of the tension in the air.

Meanwhile, Carter, ever the peacemaker, tries to diffuse the situation with a casual charm. "Come on, ladies, no need to turn this into a scene," he suggests, his tone light but firm. His presence serves as a reminder of the fragile balance between the three of them.

But Claudia, unfazed by the attempts to calm the situation, leans in closer to Cara, her voice dripping with faux innocence. "Oh, Cara dear, you know I always play fair," she purrs, her eyes glittering with mischief. The tension in the air thickens as Cara and Claudia lock eyes, each refusing to back down.

Hester, sensing the escalating tension, takes a step back, her mind racing with thoughts of how to defuse the situation before it spirals out of control. As the standoff continues, the mall around them fades into the background, leaving only the simmering conflict between the three of them.

Cara steps back as if recoiling from something horrible. She looked away, scoffing. "I believe you ought to leave, now." Carter said, pushing Claudia away from Cara. Despite having a feminine personality, Carter had a very bulky build, his hands large and firm. Claudia recovered her composure quickly, letting out a light-hearted laugh. "Fine. Don't miss me too much, darlings. I'll be back in due time." Claudia remarked as she turned her back, walking away.