Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 458

Seth first answered Bianca's question, explaining that he had been worried about her and came over after his meeting wrapped up.

Seeing them together sent a fresh wave of rage through Claire. How could he treat Noreen like this? From the moment he appeared, his gaze had merely brushed past Noreen, never lingering. It was as if he didn't even know her.

Seven years of her life, wasted on a dog.

"Mr. Harcourt, you're just in time," Claire challenged, her voice sharp. "Why don't you settle this for us? Between these two, who is the real homewrecker?"

He wanted to stay out of it? Not a chance. Claire was determined to drag him into the mess. If he dared to deny their past, she was ready to air every single sacrifice Noreen had made for him over the past seven years.

Seth's eyes, cold and hard, locked onto Claire in a silent warning.

But she didn't back down, meeting his glare head-on.

His gaze flickered past Claire, swept nonchalantly over Noreen, and then he spoke, his tone so detached it was devoid of any emotion. "Haven't you heard, Miss Chase? In any relationship, the one who isn't loved is the third wheel."

…

"Noreen, you shouldn't have stopped me! I should have ripped their lying mouths off!" Claire chugged a bottle of ice water, but it did little to cool the fire raging inside her. She couldn't believe Seth would say something so heartless. With a single sentence, he had dismissed seven years of Noreen's devotion. The man had no soul.

"Another bottle!" she yelled, feeling like she was about to explode.

"You should drink less cold water," Noreen said, handing her a room-temperature bottle. Her own emotions were muted, distant. When Seth had spoken those words, her heart had sunk, a chilling sensation spreading through her on the hot summer day. Only now was she starting to recover, the emotional storm within her finally calming into a quiet stillness.

Just then, the provost approached her. "My apologies, Miss Lowell. I've arranged another excellent booth for you. In the future, if your company needs anything, please don't hesitate to ask. We will always accommodate you."

Though annoyed, Bianca maintained a graceful façade. "Thank you for your trouble, Provost Ferris."

Just before the ceremony began, the final guest of honor arrived. Noreen was looking down, texting Claire to calm her down, when someone sat down beside her.

Before she could look up, a familiar voice teased, "The ceremony is starting. Put your phone away and pay attention."

Noreen's head snapped up, her eyes instantly lighting up with pure delight. "Dylan!"