Chapter 255: Let’s hope she lasts longer than the others
Clara braced herself as she met Maria’s challenging gaze. The older woman seemed determined to see whether she could accomplish what all the previous candidates had failed to do.
After all, Clara knew better than to believe that Maria would be impressed by her experience alone, especially when her academic qualifications were practically nonexistent.
Initially, Dominic had suggested that she make her profile more impressive to increase her chances of getting hired. However, Clara had insisted on keeping things simple, highlighting her teaching experience rather than pretending to possess qualifications she didn’t have.
And it wasn’t as though she had fabricated that experience.
Clara had occasionally substituted for her mother when she was unwell, taking over her tutoring sessions and helping students with their studies. Those experiences had gradually taught her how to deal with children, understand their difficulties, and adjust her teaching methods to suit their needs.
She might not have possessed an impressive degree, but she had learned a thing or two through practice.
And that was precisely what she had wanted Maria to notice.
Watching the older woman carefully, Clara finally understood something important. Maria wasn’t necessarily looking for the most qualified candidate. After watching several tutors fail to handle her son, she wanted someone who could actually deal with him.
Experience mattered more to her than a collection of certificates.
She’s surprisingly easy to read, Clara thought, suppressing a smile.
Without wasting another moment, she made her way upstairs, where Zane had practically claimed the entire floor as his personal territory.
From what she had heard, the young master was not only spoiled but also exceptionally stubborn. He had a habit of making life miserable for anyone who attempted to teach him, and the previous tutors had eventually given up.
In fact, Clara suspected that their departures had little to do with their teaching abilities.
Zane had probably made certain that none of them lasted long enough to become a nuisance.
She stopped at the top of the stairs and glanced down the corridor.
"Well, young master," she murmured, adjusting her glasses. "Let’s see what kind of trouble you’ve been causing."
A playful smile appeared on her lips as she headed towards the room at the end of the hallway.
Unlike the other candidates, Clara had no intention of running away just because a spoiled young man decided to make things difficult.
After all, she hadn’t come this far only to turn back now.
***
Meanwhile, downstairs, Maria and Clint watched as Clara disappeared into Zane’s room.
Clint glanced towards the staircase before turning to his employer.
"Madam, she’s the last candidate. Do you really think she’ll be able to make a difference?"
Maria, who had been watching Clara from the moment she started climbing the stairs, finally shifted her attention to him.
"Honestly? I don’t know," she admitted. "But there’s something about her that has caught my attention."
Clint raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to elaborate.
"Didn’t you notice how calm she was?" Maria continued. "The others were practically trembling at the thought of meeting my son. Some even looked ready to run before they reached his room. Yet she walked upstairs as though she had nothing to worry about."
She paused, her gaze returning to the staircase.
"I’m curious to know what makes her different."
Maria hadn’t selected the candidates because of their impressive academic qualifications alone. In fact, after watching one tutor after another fail to handle Zane, she had stopped placing so much importance on degrees and certificates.
What she needed was someone who could get through to her son, keep him focused, and somehow convince him to take his studies seriously.
That was all she wanted.
And although she wasn’t willing to admit it openly, a small part of her hoped Clara might actually succeed.
Perhaps it was the young woman’s composure, or perhaps it was the quiet confidence she had displayed throughout the interview process. Whatever the reason, Maria found herself looking forward to seeing what would happen next.
Clint studied his employer for a moment before nodding.
"Let’s hope she lasts longer than the others, Madam."
Maria shot him a sideways glance.
"That’s what I intend to find out."
Clint wisely decided not to ask any more questions. He stepped back and settled into a waiting position, his attention occasionally drifting towards the staircase.
Now, all they could do was wait.
Whether Clara would emerge victorious or come rushing out of Zane’s room in defeat remained to be seen.
Considering the young master’s reputation, Clint was already preparing himself for the latter.
***
Meanwhile, Clara stopped outside Zane’s room, her hand hovering near the doorknob.
The eerie silence surrounding the room made her feel strangely cautious. Considering everything she had heard about the young master, she doubted he would welcome his new tutor with open arms.
"This silence doesn’t sit right with me," she muttered, narrowing her eyes at the closed door.
Just as she was about to reach for the doorknob, she noticed a maid approaching with a broom in her hand.
An idea immediately popped into her head.
"Excuse me, could I borrow that for a moment?" Clara asked with a pleasant smile.
The maid stopped, looking at her in confusion.
"Madam, the broom is for—"
Before she could finish her sentence, Clara had already taken it from her hands.
"Thank you!"
Without waiting for a response, Clara turned towards the door and carefully positioned herself to the side. Using the broom handle, she slowly pushed down on the doorknob before nudging the door open.
The moment the door swung inward, a bucket tipped from above.
Splash!
Dirty water spilled across the floor, splattering against the doorway.
Clara stared at the mess for a moment, her expression frozen in disbelief.
Then, she let out a quiet sigh.
"No wonder I had a bad feeling about this."
Behind her, the maid stood with her mouth slightly open, staring at Clara as though she had just witnessed something unbelievable.
Anyone else would have walked straight into the trap and ended up drenched from head to toe.
Yet Clara had somehow managed to avoid it.
Clara turned around and returned the broom to the still-stunned maid with a sweet smile.
"Thank you for lending me this."
The maid accepted it automatically, still struggling to process what had just happened.
"B-But, Madam, how did you know—"
"Have a nice day!"
Clara cheerfully interrupted her before she could finish speaking.
Without waiting for another question, she stepped over the puddle and entered the room, her expression returning to its usual calm.
Judging by the welcome she had just received, Zane Kensington had clearly decided to test his new tutor before even meeting her.
Unfortunately for him, Clara wasn’t someone who could be easily fooled.
And if this was how he intended to begin their relationship, she had a feeling their days together were going to be quite interesting.
Clara stepped into the room and quietly closed the door behind her.
The first thing she noticed was how unusually tidy everything looked. The books were arranged neatly on the shelves, the curtains were drawn halfway, and even the bed looked as though nobody had touched it.
She narrowed her eyes. Something isn’t right.
For a boy who had apparently made it his life’s mission to drive every tutor away, Zane’s room looked suspiciously peaceful.
Clara took another step forward.
Click!
The moment her foot touched the floor, a thin thread snapped beneath her shoe.
She stopped. A second later, a pillow came flying down from above.
Clara tilted her head, allowing it to sail past her before landing on the floor behind her.
"Oh, my. Someone seems to have put a lot of effort into this."
She glanced towards the ceiling, where a small contraption had been rigged to drop the pillow whenever someone stepped on the thread. Rather than getting annoyed, Clara chuckled.
"That’s quite creative. A little childish, but creative."
Somewhere behind the wardrobe, Zane clenched his teeth.
Why isn’t she screaming?
He had spent nearly half an hour setting up traps for his new tutor. The bucket of dirty water had been his opening move, and he had been certain it would send her running.
When that failed, he had prepared several more surprises. The next trap was waiting near the study table.
Clara approached it cautiously, noticing a stack of books balanced precariously on the edge. A loose string ran from the table leg towards the chair.
She crouched to inspect it. "Seriously? Books?"
With a small tug, she loosened the string herself, and the entire stack toppled onto the empty chair instead of her head.
"..."
From his hiding place, Zane stared in disbelief.
How did she even notice that?
Clara straightened and continued walking, humming softly as though she were taking a tour of the room rather than navigating an obstacle course.
Her next step brought her close to the bed. A faint creaking sound caught her attention.
She looked down and spotted a toy car positioned beneath the edge of the rug, ready to roll under anyone’s foot.
Clara carefully picked it up. "A toy car? Really?"
She turned it over in her hands, then placed it on the bedside table. "Your taste in pranks needs some improvement, young master."
Behind the wardrobe, Zane’s face darkened.
Who does she think she is?