Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer's Begs (Scarlett) novel Chapter 173

Chapter 173 Shifting Allegiances

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They walked out of the restaurant side by side, the evening air cool against their skin.

Sabrina watched their retreating figures, feeling her eyes begin to sting with unshed tears.

Perhaps it was the sting of Nolan’s blunt and dismissive attitude, or maybe it was the stark contrast to the praise and recognition he had once offered her.

Seeing her distress, Daniel quickly handed her a tissue. “Don’t cry, Sabrina. You haven’t done anything wrong,” he comforted her in a low voice. “Vincent doesn’t love Scarlett. The one who lacks character is the person who stubbornly holds on when they aren’t loved.”

Daniel’s words provided some small comfort, and Sabrina felt a little better.

Yet, an inexplicable discomfort still churned inside her.

The rumor in their circles was that throughout his entire Master’s and Ph.D. programs, there hadn’t been a single woman consistently around Nolan. People had even whispered back then that he might not be interested in women. But later, at an academic dinner hosted by Thomas, Nolan had met Sabrina.

That evening, Sabrina had asked Nolan numerous questions about his research, and he had patiently answered every one.

To outsiders, the perennial bachelor-once deemed unlikely to settle down-seemed to have finally met the right woman.

After that, whispers spread through the medical community that Nolan had been captivated by Sabrina from their first meeting.

As the gossip intensified, Sabrina inevitably heard some of it. She had even allowed herself to fantasize that one day Nolan would formally ask her out.

But things didn’t unfold that way. Nolan never made a move; in fact, he gradually became more distant.

Back then, Sabrina had just finished her undergraduate degree, while Nolan was already a postdoctoral researcher.

Even now, Sabrina sometimes wondered about Nolan’s feelings back then.

Had he ever truly been interested in her?

Later, she met Vincent and largely stopped thinking about Nolan.

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Chapter 14 dating Allegiances

But within their professional field, Nolan was in a league of his own, a respected and brilliant figure.

He must have liked her, right? Otherwise, why was she the only woman he had ever been publicly and persistently linked with?

Daniel, unaware of the intricate thoughts swirling in Sabrina’s mind, saw her continued somber expression and assumed she was still upset about her research project. “Sabrina, you’re incredibly talented. Who needs that damn doctorate anyway?” he tried to console her.

“No,” Sabrina said, a sudden, fierce determination igniting within her. “I will earn it. I’ll graduate at the top of my class. I will outperform Scarlett. I will make Thomas recognize my worth.”

Hearing this, Daniel assumed she was primarily motivated by Nolan’s harsh words, but he nonetheless responded with earnest support. “Whatever you decide to do, Sabrina, just go for it. I’ll help you. Vincent will help you. Harris will help you.”

Meanwhile, after Nolan and Scarlett left the restaurant together, they coincidentally ran into Abbott’s car pulling up to the curb.

As Abbott got out, Vanessa hopped out from the other side.

Seeing Scarlett and Nolan together, Vanessa froze for a second.

Remembering Scarlett breaking her action figure the previous day, Vanessa was still holding a grudge, so she didn’t greet Scarlett.

But when her eyes landed on Nolan, she hesitated only a moment before walking over proactively, her voice sweet. “Mr. Huntley!”

Hearing this, Nolan was taken aback and glanced questioningly at Scarlett.

Scarlett merely returned his look, offering no explanation.

This was the first time Vanessa had initiated a greeting with Nolan so warmly.

Both Scarlett and Nolan were clearly puzzled, but Vanessa knew her reason perfectly well-it was because Nolan could help Sabrina. She had overheard Daniel saying so.

So, even though she was still angry with her mom, she knew she needed to try and get on Nolan’s good side.

Nolan crouched down to her eye level. He looked gently at Vanessa and smiled. “Hello, Vanessa.”

Vanessa blinked her big, innocent eyes. “Mr. Huntley, aren’t you going to have dinner with us?”

Nolan maintained his warm smile. “No, we were actually planning to go to a different

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Chapter 173 Shifting Allegiances

restaurant.”

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Hearing this, Vanessa quickly added, “But Sabrina has some questions she really wants to ask you!”

As soon as the words were out, not only Scarlett, but Nolan too, froze.

So that was the reason for Vanessa’s sudden friendliness-it was all for Sabrina.

Everything clicked into place at that moment.

Nolan glanced at Scarlett. She seemed visibly hurt, turning her face away to compose herself.

Vanessa was still waiting for an answer, tugging lightly on Nolan’s sleeve.

Nolan stayed crouched. He placed his hands gently on Vanessa’s shoulders and asked softly, “Vanessa, can I ask you a question?”

Vanessa nodded eagerly. “Okay, Mr. Huntley, ask me anything.”

Nolan looked intently into her eyes. “Do you remember what tomorrow is?”

Vanessa scrunched up her little face in concentration. She thought for a long time before answering, “Tomorrow is Saturday, right? My teacher said Saturday is a weekend, no school.”

Nolan was very patient, trying to guide her. “Think back. Around this time last year, did you anything special for someone?”

do

If he remembered correctly, Nolan recalled Scarlett once showing him a photo-Vanessa had handmade her a birthday card.

Vanessa shook her head, her expression blank. “No, I don’t think so.”

Nolan felt a pang of frustration, almost mentioning the birthday card directly.

Scarlett, understanding what Nolan was trying to do, felt it was ultimately pointless.

Even if she pressured Vanessa into remembering, what would it really change? The genuine sentiment was already missing.

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Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer & Begs