He Lost Me to His Best Friend novel Chapter 555

It was Veronica Thorne.

Scarlett answered automatically. "Hello."

A shrill, arrogant female voice immediately cut through the line. "Scarlett, where are you? Weren't you supposedly coming to discuss a partnership with Thorne Industries? I've already spoken to my father. We're waiting for you at the Rainwatch Pavilion in Sutton City. Get over here."

Veronica's tone was as condescending and commanding as ever, leaving absolutely no room for negotiation. Before Scarlett could even reply, Veronica hung up, acting as if her attendance was a foregone conclusion.

Thanks to the quiet interior of the car, Julian had heard every word clearly. He glanced over. "Veronica Thorne, right?"

She nodded. "Yes. Judging by her tone, she's already managed to manipulate Quentin Thorne into taking her side. She's waiting to ambush me."

He smiled faintly. "Then let's go see what kind of trap they've set for us."

She was thinking the exact same thing. "Alright. With you by my side, I'd go anywhere."

She spoke naturally, the words slipping out without a second thought. Over the past few weeks, she had genuinely come to view him as her most trusted ally.

But the moment the sentence hung in the air, she realized how intimate it sounded. Panic flared in her chest, and before he could say a word, she hurried to explain, her face burning. "I meant in a professional sense! Don't misunderstand, Julian."

Amusement danced in his eyes. "What if I've already misunderstood?"

Her flush deepened, leaving her entirely at a loss for words. She couldn't even bring herself to look him in the eye.

A wave of exhilaration crashed over him, though he forced himself to play it cool. "Alright, alright. Business first. I was just joking around, anyway. Don't take it to heart. Like I said, just think of me as your big brother."

With that, he started the engine and sped toward the Rainwatch Pavilion.

His final sentence twisted something deep inside her, disrupting the warm, fluttering feelings that had just begun to surface. The romantic tension in her chest abruptly flatlined, her blood running cold.

*Right, Scarlett. What were you thinking? He's only ever seen you as a surrogate sister. He's just looking out for you on Zachary's behalf. Get your head out of the clouds.*

She shook her head vigorously, forcing her chaotic thoughts back into order. The delicate, lingering ambiguity in the air vanished instantly.