She's Too Busy Winning to Watch Him Cry novel Chapter 99

A few days later, Lyra walked into a chic downtown cafe for her lunch break. Almost instantly, she spotted Jasmine, Tabitha, and Elara sitting together, laughing and chatting.

The moment they noticed her, their conversation abruptly died. The bright smiles vanished from their faces.

Lyra acted as if they were invisible, keeping her expression perfectly blank as she walked past their table. Jasmine called out, attempting to sound friendly. "Lyra..."

Elara wasn't as composed as her cousin, openly rolling her eyes at Lyra's presence.

Tabitha took a slow, elegant sip of her coffee, pointedly turning her gaze toward the window...

Lyra completely ignored the greeting. She gave Jasmine a fleeting glance before continuing to a quiet table by the window.

"She is so incredibly rude," Elara scoffed, glaring at Lyra's back. "Why do you even bother talking to her?"

"Exactly," Tabitha agreed. "You said Rowan and his friends have entirely cut her off. Why lower yourself? Hasn't she given you enough dirty looks?"

Jasmine settled back into her chair, offering a graceful, forgiving smile.

Across the room, Lyra took her seat. Having just come from the office, she was dressed in a sharp, tailored Dior suit.

Coincidentally, it closely mirrored the professional aesthetic Jasmine often wore to work.

Elara looked Lyra up and down, her lips curling into a sneer. "She's literally copying your entire wardrobe."

"Lucas told me she used to dress like a clueless college kid and rarely wore professional clothes. Now she's entirely ripping off your style."

Tabitha chuckled, unfazed by the observation.

The outfit Jasmine was wearing had been a gift from Rowan. Even the matching silk scarf alone was worth thousands of dollars.

Even if they were wearing the same brand, Jasmine's ensemble was undeniably far more exclusive and expensive.

"Ugh, what a copycat. You wear a Dior suit, so she has to wear a Dior suit," Elara muttered, still irritated.

Jasmine deliberately lowered her voice. "I heard Lyra is still holding onto a specific heirloom ring. Alistair gave it to her ages ago, but it's meant strictly for the future wife of the Jameson heir."

Regardless, it certainly wasn't Jasmine's place to demand it.

"That's none of your business."

Taking the dismissal as proof that Lyra was stubbornly clinging to the heirloom, Jasmine's tone dripped with condescension. "Borrowed items need to be returned promptly. You wouldn't want people thinking you lack basic manners."

Just as she walked through the cafe doors, Madeline Vance caught the end of the exchange. The blatant disrespect felt like a physical blow.

Fiercely protective of her best friend, Madeline marched over. "Excuse me? What did you just say, you homewrecker?"

"Watch your mouth, Miss Vance," Jasmine shot back coldly, refusing to back down. "Are you speaking for your friend? Why can't she fight her own battles instead of using you as her pawn?"

"You... Who do you think you are?!"

"Don't you dare insult her! You have zero class!" Elara shouted, rushing over with Tabitha close behind.

"Elara, let it go," Jasmine said, effortlessly playing the victim. "Madeline is just trying to defend Lyra. I know these aren't her actual words."