Chapter 1034
Every ounce of hostility Claire held toward Seth stemmed from her fierce protectiveness over Noreen.
Just like how Noreen despised Felix Quigley.
The reason was actually quite simple.
Only a best friend witnessed your hidden pain and lowest moments, remembering every grievance and heartbreak on your behalf.
And they never forgot.
She felt that the relationship was draining you, so she urged you to cut your losses.
After finishing the last Egg Tart, Claire leisurely wiped her hands and asked, “You have something to tell me, don’t you?”
“Is it that obvious?”
“It’s written all over your face.”
Noreen actually reached up to touch her face.
It was rare to see her like this, and Claire couldn’t help but laugh. Leaning back against her chair, she teased, “Did you want to tell me about how you smuggled that bastard in last night?”
Noreen, who was mid-sip, choked on her milk.
She coughed violently a few times.
Claire considerately handed her a tissue, adding a jab, “Look at how nervous you are. You don’t even know how to sneak around properly.”
“Also, that hickey on your neck is way too obvious.”
Flustered, Noreen tugged at her collar, desperately trying to cover the mark Seth had left on her neck.
Unfortunately, the neckline was too low, doing absolutely nothing to hide it.
Claire saw right through the tactic.
That bastard Seth was playing mind games again.
Deliberately leaving a mark in the most visible spot possible.
He was acting exactly like a desperate mistress trying to stake a claim by leaving a lipstick stain on a man’s collar.
Tsk.
“I’ve known you two were hooking up in secret for a while. I just didn’t call you out on
it.”
Noreen remained speechless.
Feeling both guilty and embarrassed, she asked, “If you knew, why didn’t you say anything?”
She had been on edge every single day.
Claire scoffed. “You have the nerve to blame me?”
Noreen quickly apologized. “I was just afraid you’d be mad.”
Claire gave a haughty sniff. “That’s why I purposely glued myself to you these past few days, making sure that jerk couldn’t get near you. I wanted to piss him off!”
“You didn’t tell me, which means you were still hesitating about the relationship? Seth hadn’t passed: your test yet, so of course I was going to give him a hard time!”
Noreen felt deeply moved yet entirely helpless.
Even though she realized Claire had been playing her, she wasn’t angry in the slightest. Instead, a wave of relief washed over her.
“So, you don’t blame me?”
Claire shook her head. “I’m your best friend. Men might betray you, but your girls will always have your back.”
“If being with him makes you happy, then go for it. If he makes you miserable, kick him to the curb! There’s always a better guy out there.”
“Basically, whatever you decide, I support you.”
Noreen stared blankly at her seemingly carefree best friend, a rush of warmth swelling in her chest.
It turned out Claire hadn’t been genuinely opposed at all.
She was simply using her own method to give Noreen the space to think, standing
quietly in her corner while she made her own choice.
Her eyes immediately stung with
tears. Sniffling, Noreen spoke with barely noticeable crack in her voice “Sweetie, thank you. We hav to be best friends in our next life too
She reached across the table and squeezed Claire’s hand, her heart feeling as
warm as if it had been bathed in the spring sun.
Claire’s eyes grew glassy as well,
though she doudly declared, “But let me make one thing clear-if Seth ever breaks your heart again or makes yourshed a single tear don’t blame me for getting vicious. I’ll take him down with me!”