Chapter 915

“Bianca was worried I’d starve at home, so she prepped it before she left for her trip,” Noreen lied without missing a beat.

Afraid Claire might start putting the pieces together, she quickly changed the subject. “Just tell me how to season it! Whatever I did this morning tasted totally wrong.”

Claire’s brain was incredibly one-track. Easily distracted, she completely forgot her earlier suspicions and earnestly began explaining the step-by-step seasoning process.

Unfortunately, Noreen had poured all her skill points into her career. Even when it came to something as simple as adding salt and pepper, she was hopelessly lost.

Eventually, she gave up. “I’m almost home. Don’t hang up. I’ll grab a pen and paper to write this down once I’m inside.”

By the time she said this, Noreen was already stepping into the elevator.

Claire agreed.

The second Noreen walked through her front door, she announced, “Alright, I’m home. Walk me through it. First, I add…”

The words died in her throat the moment she saw the tall, broad-shouldered figure walking out of her kitchen.

“First, put some…”

Completely oblivious, Claire continued enthusiastically listing the steps over the phone.

Seth placed a freshly cooked, steaming bowl of chicken broth on the dining table. Looking at Noreen, who was still frozen in the entryway, he said in a warm, gentle voice, “Perfect timing. The food’s just finished. Go wash your hands and eat while it’s hot. I made some of your favorite side dishes; I’ll go grab them.”

Noreen’s brain completely short-circuited.

It wasn’t until Claire’s chilling voice echoed from the phone speaker that she finally snapped back to reality.

She asked dangerously, “Honey, why is Seth Harcourt in your apartment?”

Noreen was dead silent.

Caught red-handed, she had absolutely no idea how to explain herself.

Claire demanded, “Confess. Now.”

Noreen had no choice but to spill the truth. “You know I came down with a nasty flu yesterday, and I was dealing with cramps. I felt absolutely terrible. I was going to ask Sophia to bring me medicine, but she got sick too…”

Claire cut her off instantly. “Skip the sob story! Just tell me why the hell he is in your house!”

“…He brought me home the night before when I had too much to drink.”

“And you just handed him your passcode?!” Claire’s voice shrieked an octave higher.

“Well, it’s not like I wanted to sleep on the street…” The more Noreen tried to explain, the quieter her voice got. She was definitely feeling guilty.

Claire was practically pulling her hair out on the other end, though she knew she couldn’t entirely blame Noreen.

She was sick, home alone, and incredibly vulnerable to a jerk’s manipulations.

Claire was absolutely furious. “That bastard! He actually used your illness to play the sweet, caring nurse!”

Sneaky!

Manipulative!

As a woman, she knew exactly how fragile a person’s emotional defenses became when they were severely sick.

Let alone Noreen.

Hadn’t Claire herself fallen into the exact same trap? She had gotten injured on a remote movie set, and Felix Quigley had rushed to the

hospital to take care

e care of her fora.

week. That was how she fell for him!

Only later did she find out the horrific truth.

Felix had only been at that hospital because Madeline Lynwood was admitted there.

He had gone entirely to dote on Madeline, Discovering Claire was there was just a coincidence, so he threw her some leftover attention to play the role of a dutiful husband…

It had all been a delusional fairy tale she made up in her head!

Claire blamed herself for being out having fun instead of staying by Noreen’s side, giving that jerk Seth the perfect opening to slither his way in.

“I’m coming back right now!” she announced before hanging up abruptly.

She was terrified that if she delayed even a second longer, Seth would snatch Noreen away for good.

Noreen rubbed her temples with a heavy sigh.

Seth walked out carrying two small plates of side dishes. Noticing her stressed expression, he asked with concern, “Does your head still hurt?”

“No,” she sighed. “Claire knows you’re here.”

Seth merely hummed in response. “She’s in Silvershore City right now. Even if she catches the earliest flight she won’t be back until tonight Theres no rush. Eat your dinner first.”

Noreen was utterly speechless.

He certainly had a terrifyingly accurate grasp of her schedule and her friends’ whereabouts.