Chapter 1852

[ 555 words ]

Claire turned to look at her.

She and Valerie hadn’t known each other for long, yet Valerie was ready to follow her home. It seemed a bit reckless.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll kidnap you and sell you off in the mountains?”

Valerie’s smile faltered. “N-no way. I think you’re a good person, Claire.”

She wasn’t actually that scared. Her father had vetted Claire’s background, and her character was spotless.

Claire just looked like a good kid, which was why Valerie had boldly suggested going over.

Claire ultimately declined. “There are quite a few people staying at my place right now. You wouldn’t be able to focus.”

“Besides, if you come home with me, are you sure you’d actually study?”

Valerie went silent. “…” Probably not.

“Alright, I’ll pass on your place then. Let’s go grab our books and then head to dinner.”

They agreed to meet at the campus gates and split up to head to their respective dorms.

Claire’s errand went smoothly, but as Valerie was walking toward the gates with her books, she ran into her older cousin, Honoria Beaumont.

“Valerie?”

Spotting her younger cousin, Honoria immediately called out.

“Honoria, are you off work?”

It was late afternoon, so it made sense for Honoria to be off the clock.

“Yes. What are you up to? Have you had dinner yet?”

“Let me take you out.”

Although sticking close to Valerie hadn’t helped her get any closer to Norris, Honoria

wasn’t giving up that easily, nor was she going to take it out on her cousin.

It was only because of Valerie’s family connections that the Beaumonts were flourishing in the first place.

Plus, her cousin was simple-minded and straightforward—she didn’t require much scheming to handle.

“I can’t, I already made dinner plans with a friend.”

Valerie quickly declined.

She had been slightly irritated with Honoria Nately, feeling that her

cousin was way too calculated and manipulative.

When Claire and Norris had helped that female reporter, her cousin had stepped in

and caused a scene.

If that poor girl had been dragged off

by Editor-in-Chief Julian Quincy, who would have taken the blame if

something terrible happened?

Everyone talked about girls supporting girls, but Valerie couldn’t see a shred of that

in her cousin.

Instead, Honoria seemed obsessed with getting her way at any cost.

Was it possible her late aunt had

been right? That Honoria had completely changed after going to Sundara?

“Which friend? It wouldn’t happen to be Claire, would it?”

Seeing the shift in Valerie’s expression, Honoria knew she had guessed right.

She linked arms with her cousin. “Valerie, surely you have room for one more?”

“I really like Claire, and I haven’t eaten yet. Just bring me along.”

If it had been any other time, Valerie would have agreed to Honoria’s request.

But knowing Claire wasn’t fond of Honoria either, she firmly refused. “I already promised Claire.”

“She’s treating this time, so it’s not really my place to invite anyone else.”

Honoria was a little annoyed at the rejection, but kept a pleasant smile plastered on her face.

“What’s the big deal? If you’re eating with me, I couldn’t possibly let two students foot the bill.”

“You and Claire just enjoy the food; it’s on me!”

Valerie groaned inwardly. Why couldn’t her cousin take a hint?

Was this about who was paying?

She clearly just didn’t want to eat with her.

But Honoria purposefully played dumb and offered a ‘solution.’

“I don’t know, Claire doesn’t really know you that well.” Valerie tried again to back

out.

The smile dropped from Honoria’s face. “Valerie, do you have a problem with me?”

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