Chapter 162

Claire hadn’t meant anything serious with her last comment. She was just talking, really. But the second the words left her mouth, Vera’s whole expression changed.

Vera frowned. “You actually think that p>

She didn’t say anything else, just stood there. That silence said it all.

Claire sighed. “Did you come up with that on your own, or did someone put that idea in your head? You might want to check who’s been saying this stuff to you. Feels like someone’s stirring up drama and wants you to take the blame. Look, I’m a senior in high school. My only goal right now is to get into the university I want, not mess around with some love triangle. And honestly, with my skills, do you really think I couldn’t find someone way better than your so-called fiancé p>

Her words landed hard, so much so that even Dane, who had just shown up, glanced over in surprise. Claire really was impressive, and it was clear she wasn’t distracted by all this relationship nonsense.

Catching Dane in her peripheral vision, Claire called out, “Give me a second,” and headed his way.

Dane was there to pick her up. They’d arranged for her to help Baldrick with acupuncture that evening, so he’d timed it just right to catch her after school.

“You’re here?” Claire greeted, her tone casual.

Dane nodded. “Yeah p>

Without warning, Claire slipped her arm through his. She leaned in, voice low. “Do me a favor. Just go along with it p>

Dane barely had a moment to react before Claire was steering him right back to where Vera stood with the others.

She looked Vera right in the eye. “Take a look at him. How does he compare to York, or Leo p>

Right then, Leo walked out of the school. He’d heard from a friend that Vera was picking a fight with Claire and had rushed over, ready to step in. He froze when he saw Claire tugging an insanely attractive guy up to Vera and calling him out by

name.

At the same time, York-who was there to pick up Cindy for the James family-and Lance, who’d run into the group on his way, saw everything unfold.

Everyone’s attention locked on Dane. Leo and York kept their faces neutral, but Lance’s expression turned downright stormy. He was the only one who knew Dane’s feal background. Dane wasn’t just good-looking, his family was on another level. And now Claire was holding onto his arm, making Lance glare at her hand like he wanted to rip it off.

Dane noticed the look right away. He didn’t react, just nodded politely at Lance, which only made Lance look even angrier. To him, it felt like Dane was rubbing it in.

Vera finally found her voice. “Who is

he?” she asked, eyes wide.

Compared to York and that immature Leo, Dane was in a whole different class Veras eyes it up with surprise. If she hadn’t already set her sights on Leo, she probably would’ve fallen for Dane right then and there.

Claire grinned. “He’s obviously the better option. That’s why you shouldn’t just date the guys in your little circle. Look around more, you might find someone way better p>

Vera looked stunned, like Claire had just flipped a switch in her brain.

“So… is this why you dropped York so easily?” she mumbled. “Is his family richer than the Byrons p>

The crowd leaned in, hungry for gossip. Some people had already noticed York standing there, making the whole situation even juicier. Was York even aware that Claire had only agreed to break off their engagement because she had someone even better lined up?

Probably not. Maybe the Byron

family was still busy looking down

on Claire for not being a real heiress, never realizing she didn’t care about them at all anymore.