The Girl They Ignored Returned as the Woman Seven Men Would Die For novel Chapter 9

"Thank you."

Mika accepted the necklace with a serene smile. The moment she did, the System's notification chimed in her mind.

[Received from the mark (Jude Jensen): One Tiffany Smile Necklace (Large, Rose Gold, No Diamonds), valued at $1,800.00. Current System Balance: $1,900.00. Would you like to proceed?]

Mika dismissed the System prompt, lowering her head to stir her corn potage, patiently waiting for Seraphina's next move.

At this stage in the timeline, aside from her childhood friend James Sterling, Seraphina hadn't yet deeply entangled herself with the other main male leads.

Therefore, even if Jude was just a lower-tier admirer, seeing him hand over the exact necklace she had been obsessing over wouldn't sit well with her.

Seraphina wouldn't be willing to surrender him so easily.

Just as Mika predicted.

After downing a single glass of champagne, a seductive, flushed hue spread across Seraphina's cheeks.

Holding her glass, she slumped weakly against Jude's shoulder, her hazy eyes shimmering with unshed moisture.

"Jude... do you really... like my Mika?"

The goddess he worshipped was currently leaning against his shoulder.

Jude's heart hammered wildly in his chest. He carefully supported her, his first instinct to spill the entire truth right then and there.

But remembering Mika's strict instructions, he forced himself to swallow the confession and grit out his rehearsed line.

"Yes. I really like Mika."

"Oh, I see." Seraphina froze, a flicker of profound sadness crossing her eyes.

But then she managed a fragile little laugh. Her soft, pale hands rested casually against Jude's thigh.

"Mika is... my absolute best friend. If you ever treat her badly, I will never... forgive you."

With that, Seraphina went limp, thoroughly 'passing out' against Jude's shoulder.

Jude perfectly caught that flash of sorrow in her eyes, and a sharp ache twisted his heart.

Was he imagining things?

Now that she knew he was with Mika, was she actually upset?

Since Seraphina was 'drunk,' the group lost the mood for an after-party and decided to grab a cab back to campus.

It was a twenty-minute walk from the drop-off point to their dorm building, which naturally left Jude, the only guy, carrying Seraphina on his back.

Seraphina rested her head on his shoulder, occasionally letting out soft whimpers and sleep-talking.

"Jude... be good to Mika..."

"The necklace... so pretty..."

"Now that you're together... am I going to be all alone?"

Hearing his goddess murmur so vulnerably, Jude's heart melted completely. He found her drunk state absolutely intoxicating.

"Don't worry, you'll never be alone. I'll..."

Jude suddenly remembered Xanthe and Lily were walking right behind them. He swallowed the rest of his sentence, softening his voice to a gentle coax.

"I won't let you be alone."