Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 1169

Seth was just about to march straight over to Noreen when Halley intercepted him, dragging him off to look at his precious koi pond.

Though Seth played along, his gaze continuously strayed back to her.

Paired with his ridiculously flashy burgundy suit, his stare felt like an infrared scanner tracking her every move.

Refusing to look at him and completely uninterested in the koi, Noreen turned around, intending to head back inside.

Seeing her leave, Dylan turned to follow.

But before Noreen could even step through the doorway, a massive splash erupted behind her. Something had fallen into the water.

It was immediately followed by panicked shouts from Halley and the others.

"Oh! Seth, how did you fall in?!"

Noreen froze in her tracks, then spun around and bolted straight for the pond.

The pond was expansive and deep.

The bottom wasn't flat; it was heavily landscaped with jagged, decorative rocks that could easily impale someone.

Sick with panic, Noreen sprinted to the edge. Seth still hadn't surfaced.

Didn't he know how to swim?

"Seth?!" she screamed in terror.

The only response was the frantic splashing of water.

Driven by pure adrenaline, she abandoned all logic and launched herself into the pond.

Even though spring was approaching, the water was still freezing cold.

The second she hit the water, her calf cramped violently.

The spasm was sudden and vicious, as if an invisible hand were crushing her ankle, sapping all the strength from her leg in an instant.

Her body began to sink uncontrollably.

Dammit, she cursed internally, panic seizing her.

Suddenly, a tight grip locked around her waist.

An arm clamped around her from behind, pulling her firmly against a solid, warm chest.

Seth had materialized right behind her, his arm hooked securely around her waist to anchor her to him.

His heart softened, and he leaned in closer.

The heat of his breath brushed her ear, though his tone was still laced with gritted teeth. "Who told you to hide from me? You were fully prepared to lock yourself in a room alone with Dylan."

Noreen froze, whipping her head around to stare at him.

The timing of his little accident was entirely too convenient, happening precisely as she was about to step inside with Dylan.

"So you fell in on purpose?!"

"Seth!"

"You pulled a Self-Harm Gambit!"

Seth admitted it without a shred of guilt. "Yeah."

Noreen couldn't find the words.

If she had known... she wouldn't have bothered! She should've just let him drown!

Seth turned his head and pressed a quick kiss to her pouting lips, his tone softening significantly. "I just didn't expect you to jump in after me without a second thought. And so fast, too."

He hadn't even finished holding a single breath before she came plunging in.