Page 98 of Doc Hollywood

“No, nothing good,” Taylor said coldly. His arm squeezing a little tighter around Clara’s waist.

“Oh?” Jack began to sound a little unsure.

“Clara’s told me all about you. How you lied, stole, cheated and beat her. Then, you somehow connived your way into a wealthy family. Was that a good summary, sweetheart?” Taylor leaned down and kissed her cheek.

Clara was frozen for a second by the intimate gesture but didn’t want Jack to know, so she somehow kept her voice even. “Yes, that sounds about right.”

“Wow. Just wow, Clara. I never thought you would get so upset over our breakup that you would tell such awful untruths about me. You’re more unstable than I thought you were. Taylor, I can’t imagine what sort of lies she’s told you to make someone like you interested in someone like her. While we were together, she was prone to lying. It was one of the reasons I ended the relationship.” Jack folded his arms smugly, a glint in his eyes that Clara knew so well.

A red mist of anger veiled her vision, but before she could answer, Taylor did.

“She showed me the scars you left.” He reached down and took hold of Clara’s hand, running his thumb over the knot of scar tissue on her palm. “She’s told me everything I need to know about you, and I would never believe a piece of shit like you over this woman.”

Clara had held her palm up to the screen during one of their hours-long chats, explaining to Taylor how Jack had trodden on her hand and forced glass into it. But the scar didn’t matter, Jack didn’t matter. She just didn’t want Taylor to stop rubbing his thumb over her palm.

“Lies,” Jack sputtered, although he took a step away from Taylor, who glowered at him.

“Jack. I never want to see you again. Not at movie premieres, not at studio events, and not at Hollywood parties.” Taylor’s voice was steel.

“You can’t do that. Money talks in this town,” Jack blustered.

“And rumours shout. I will make sure your name is dragged through the mud and that everyone knows you’re a coward and enjoy beating women. I’m sure you recall how your father-in-law made his money. If he ever gets an inkling that you might hurt his little girl, you know what he’ll do to you,” Taylor threatened.

Jack visibly paled, and Clara glanced up at Taylor. She hadn’t read anything about Jack’s new wife; it had been too painful. All she knew was that her father was Russian, and it appeared he was not to be trifled with.

“I… I…,” Jack stuttered and stepped away from them.

“Oh, and one more thing. The money you owe Clara. How much was it, darling?” Taylor asked.

“Oh, um.” She hesitated, thrown by the question, but she quickly realised what Taylor was trying to do for her. She blinked back the tears that sprung into her eyes at the thought of having Taylor looking out for her before she answered, “I’d have to double-check the total and calculate the interest I’ve had to pay. It’s somewhere north of two hundred and fifty thousand.”

Clara stared at Jack’s face. He had always lacked a poker face, which had been useful as she had been able to read the rage in his expression and try to mollify him when they were together.

Jack’s cheeks drained of colour before anger flushed them, and his jaw clenched, but he didn’t say anything.

“My lawyer will send you the figure at the start of business tomorrow and make arrangements for you to repay Clara. I’m sure it won’t be a problem with your current financial situation. It’s so easy to miss the hundreds of thousands when you marrya woman worth hundreds of millions. I’m sure your wife won’t mind you settling the debt you overlooked,” Taylor said firmly.

Jack opened and closed his mouth a few times before finally saying, “Indeed.”

Taylor dropped his arm from around his mum, keeping a firm grip on Clara, and held his hand out to Jack.

Jack stared at it mistrustfully until he leaned forward and took it, shaking it once before he dropped it.

“Excellent. I assume you have a business card? My lawyer will be in touch.” Taylor held his hand out.

Jack mumbled, “Yes.” And pulled an elaborately embossed card out of his pocket.

Clara snorted when she read, ‘Doctor Jack Jones. Entrepreneur, Artist and Medical Doctor’—it was so awfully cheesy.

“Thank you,” Taylor said, taking the card and tucking it in his suit pocket. “Shall we?” he addressed the two women standing close to him.

“Not quite yet. I have a few more things to say to Jack. Gloria, do you mind giving me a little privacy? I’m going to do a bit of swearing, and I’d rather you didn’t have to hear it.” Clara glowered at the man in front of her as she straightened her thoughts out.

She had one opportunity, and then she hoped to never interact with him again.

“Of course. Although I do love a bit of swearing, I quite understand. I’ll see you in a few minutes.” Gloria leaned over her son to hug Clara and kiss her cheek, and then she strolled away, ‘accidentally’ elbowing Jack as she passed. She threw a quick “Sorry” over her shoulder to him before she sauntered off.

“What about him? Shouldn’t he leave as well? This is between us,” Jack spat through his teeth.

---