The Heiress With Seven Secret Identies (Stella Shaw) novel Chapter 419

"I don't have any classes right now, so I thought I'd come sit in on yours," Tiffany said. Seeing his lack of enthusiasm, her expression crumbled. "Am I not welcome?"

"It's not that," Jaron muttered.

A soft smile returned to Tiffany's face. "Amelia," she said, her voice dropping into a sweet, high-pitched coo, "would you mind switching seats? I'd really like to sit next to Jaron."

Amelia hesitated for a split second, her expression flat. "Actually, I would."

"But I really want to sit with my boyfriend," Tiffany pleaded, clasping her hands together. "Please? Pretty please? Could you just move to the back?"

Nicole pressed her lips together, a flash of annoyance crossing her face. "There are plenty of seats in the back. If you want to sit together, why don't you both move? Why does Amelia have to be the one to get up?"

"Nicole..." Tiffany started.

"And another thing," Nicole interrupted. "I've wanted to say this for a while—we aren't actually that close."

Tiffany's eyes welled up, and a tear slowly rolled down her cheek. "Did I do something wrong? Why are you being so mean to me all of a sudden?"

"Nicole, is there some kind of misunderstanding?" Jaron asked, sounding concerned. He rarely saw Nicole lose her temper, and her tone was clearly laced with frustration.

"I just said she couldn't have the seat. Why are you crying?" Nicole asked. "And when was I 'mean' to you? Isn't it a bit much to demand someone move just to suit you?"

"I—" Tiffany stammered.

"You're directing your flirting at the wrong person," Nicole continued. "You should be acting cute for your boyfriend, not Amelia. Besides, there are rows of empty seats behind us. Why should Amelia have to go sit back there all by herself?"

Tiffany was stunned into silence; she had fully expected Amelia to just give in.

"Jaron, what is with your girlfriend?" Nicole turned to him. "I saved this seat specifically for Amelia, and now she shows up and tries to split us up. I didn't even raise my voice, and she started crying. We were here first. Since when did saying 'no' to a seat change count as being mean? I wasn't mean at all, but now that she's crying, everyone is going to think I'm some kind of bully. How can she just frame me like that?"

Nicole's fair skin flushed bright red with indignation. Her cheeks puffed out, and her large, shimmering eyes looked as though they were beginning to mist over. Between her furrowed brows and her soft, trembling voice, she looked genuinely hurt.

"Jaron, I didn't... I wasn't trying to..." Tiffany tried to explain.

"Actually, she's right. You're in the wrong here," Jaron said firmly.

Tiffany gritted her teeth in frustration.

Usually, the moment she started crying, Jaron would cave. Why wasn't it working this time?

Jaron turned back to Nicole. "That was my fault for not keeping her in check. Please don't be upset; I apologize."

Seeing how distressed she looked, Jaron felt a pang of guilt for not stepping in sooner.

Nicole had the best personality of the group and was usually the most level-headed. For her to be this upset, she must have felt truly wronged. The three of them had a silent pact never to pick on her—they certainly weren't going to let anyone else do it.

"Jaron, you aren't the one who did anything wrong," Nicole said, glancing at Tiffany before stubbornly looking away. "You don't need to apologize."

Jasper gently patted Nicole's hand before fixing a cold, sharp gaze on the couple.

"Apologize to her," Jasper commanded.

"Jasper..." Tiffany choked out, looking at him with watery eyes.

She couldn't believe that Jasper, who was usually the picture of a refined gentleman, would humiliate her so bluntly in public.

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