Chapter 165

“Dane? What are you doing here p>

Cindy’s heart skipped a beat. Was Dane here to pick her up too? The idea sent a rush of excitement through her.

But before she could even finish speaking, she noticed Claire holding onto Dane’s arm, clinging to him like they’d always belonged together.

“Claire, why are you holding Dane’s arm?” Cindy’s voice came out sharper than she intended. She was still young, too unskilled at hiding how she really felt. Her jealousy was obvious.

Claire just laughed. “Oh, that’s because Dane came to pick me up.” She said his name so sweetly it almost made people sick.

Lance felt a stab of envy. Claire had never spoken to him like that. York looked like he’d just sucked on a lemon. Cindy could barely hide her disappointment.

Dane, on the other hand, seemed cool and calm. But inside, his mind flashed to another scene entirely. He remembered Claire beneath him, her arms around his neck, whispering his name in that teasing way that was both innocent and daring. The noisy crowd faded away for a second. Dane felt his thoughts wander somewhere he probably shouldn’t let them go.

“Why are you calling Dane ‘brother’ all of a sudden?” Cindy blurted out, unable to hold back. Had something happened that she didn’t know about?

Claire’s answer was quick. “Our families are close. Our grandpas are best friends. It’s normal for me to call him that.” She glanced at Cindy. “Don’t you call York by his first name too p>

Claire’s words were casual, but to Cindy, they sounded like a victory lap. Claire was rubbing in just how close she and Dane were.

A wild thought erept into Cindy’s

mind. Was Dane going to get engaged to Claire? Was that why she’d given up on York so easily? The idea made Cindy’s stomach twist. Looking at Dane and York side by side, she realized she might have traded something valuable for something far less. If she hadn’t been found by the James family ye Would she be the one engaged to Dane? And if she was recognized afterward, with both girls engaged, her fiancé would actually be better than Claire’s. Her parents wouldn’t make them switch.

Cindy couldn’t stop staring at Dane, her thoughts written all over her face. Claire saw right through it, and Dane-well, nothing got past him.

Dane wasn’t interested in Cindy at all. With Claire, he was just looking out for his grandfather’s old friend’s granddaughter. He’d never been this patient or gentle with anyone else from Baldrick’s circle.

Cindy’s forced smile was starting to crack.

Claire decided she’d had enough. “We have somewhere to be, so we’ll get going p>

“Where are you going?” Cindy blurted out. It sounded more like an interrogation than a question.

י

Who did Cindy think she was to question her? Claire’s smile faded. “Since when do I need your permission to go anywhere p>

Cindy instantly switched tactics,

putting on a wounded look. “I’m just worried about you. It’s getting late

and you and Dane are alone. If

people see you, it could hurt your reputation. People at school are already spreading tumors about you having a sugar daddy… Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.” She

quickly covered her mouth,

pretending it just slipped out.

Claire glanced at her with a mocking smile. “For someone so young, you sure know how to twist things p>

She turned her gaze to Molly. “Isn’t it funny how these rumors get started? I bet your friend here knows exactly how it all began p>

Molly froze, completely caught off guard that she was suddenly being pulled into the

mess.