The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 110

Jocelyn couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Vance isn't coming today?"

"Nope, he couldn't make it," Liam said casually. "He's practically dying."

Jocelyn was startled. "What do you mean 'dying'? Don't say things like that."

Liam grinned, teasing her. "Why are you so nervous about him dying?"

"Because we're all friends. You too. If you were about to die, I'd be nervous too."

"Hearing you say that makes my life complete," Liam joked.

Sarah smacked his arm. "Can you stop being so morbid? 'Dying', 'dead'—can you speak like a normal person? Tell us, what happened to Mr. Vance?"

Liam finally gave a straight answer. "The doctor said it's a severe stomach bug. He was throwing up and in the bathroom all day yesterday. He's much better today, but severely dehydrated, so he's resting at home."

"How did Mr. Vance get food poisoning?" Sarah asked, puzzled. "Doesn't someone manage his meals and daily routine?"

"Of course they do," Liam replied. "That's the weird part. Nobody knows what he ate that set it off."

Jocelyn let out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness it's just a stomach bug. If it were actual food poisoning, that would be terrible."

"I'll pass along your well wishes," Liam said. "You're so good at comforting people."

Jocelyn suppressed a smile. "I just mean it's good that he's okay."

She checked the time. "The gala is about to start. I need to run to the restroom first."

"I'll go with you," Sarah offered.

Jocelyn smiled and declined. Sarah rarely wore high heels, and surviving three hours in four-inch stilettos was already going to be torture for her.

"No, that's fine. Go find your seat. I'll be right back."

In the restroom, Jocelyn bumped into Claire.

She was touching up her makeup at the mirror. When the two crossed paths, it was like sworn enemies locking eyes.

Claire couldn't keep her mouth shut. "You dressed like that on purpose tonight to seduce men, didn't you? I saw the way that Liam guy was looking at you. He's definitely into you."

Jocelyn ignored her, treating her like thin air.

Claire kept throwing out a barrage of insults while Jocelyn was in the stall, but Jocelyn just pretended she was deaf.

With a sharp yank, the delicate strap snapped.

Jocelyn couldn't take it anymore. She raised her hand and slapped Claire hard across the face.

Five bright red finger marks instantly bloomed on Claire's soft cheek.

Claire clutched her face, completely stunned. "You hit me."

She raised her hand to strike back, but Jocelyn anticipated it. She caught Claire's wrist mid-air, grabbed her by the arm, and shoved her into an adjacent room.

It looked like a storage closet.

Jocelyn threw her inside and locked the door from the outside.

Inside, Claire screamed, cursed, and kicked the door furiously.

Jocelyn ignored the noise and pulled out her phone to text Sarah.

With her dress broken, there was no way she could go back into the ballroom.