Chapter 96
Brianna was in her office, editing her design drafts, when Gabrielle called.
“Hey, Gabrielle, what’s up?” Brianna answered.
“Come over to my place this afternoon,” Gabrielle said.
Her tone was cold and distant.
Brianna figured Gabrielle must’ve caught wind of Darcy’s press conference. That was probably why she called.
After hanging up, Brianna paid it no mind and went right back to fine–tuning her design drafts.
Just as lunchtime was approaching, the receptionist downstairs called her.
“There’s a girl named Nancy here to see you,” the receptionist said.
Brianna was puzzled.
‘Why is she here again?‘ Brianna thought.
She was going to ask Patsy to come along.
But Patsy was out on business today.
So Brianna had to go down by herself.
As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she spotted Nancy standing at the entrance, dressed in a pale yellow dress.
The color of the dress made her skin look even fairer.
A gentle breeze tousled her hair.
There was an air of chilly, fragile beauty about her.
Brianna felt à pang of anxiety. ‘Did she get the wrong idea again?‘ she wondered.
Without time to overthink, Brianna put on a polite smile and walked over gracefully.
“Hey Nancy, what brings you here?” Brianna asked.
Nancy glanced at Brianna, lowered her head, and said softly, “Brianna, it’s about Tristan again. Can we talk?”
Brianna managed a polite smile. She really had no choice but to agree.
From the way Nancy was acting, Brianna could already tell this conversation wasn’t going to be pleasant.
But for Tristan’s sake, she had to play nice.
This time, Brianna chose a café in the office park.
“What do you want?” Brianna asked.
“Orange juice, please,” Nancy said, not even glancing at the menu.
Brianna’s awkward smile stayed frozen on her face.
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Chapter 96
Orange juice at a café? Is she pregnant now, too?‘ Brianna couldn’t help but wonder.
Brianna ordered a coffee, then fixed her gaze on Nancy, sizing her up.
Tristan keeps denying everything, and now Nancy’s here, confronting me like she’s his real girlfriend, Brianna thought.
“This probably isn’t as simple as it looks,‘ she wondered.
“Nancy, why are you here? Just tell me straight.” Brianna said, getting right to the point.
She didn’t want to waste any more time.
She had already made up her mind. If Nancy was still confused about her and Tristan, she’d deal with it head–on.
This time, she’d just bring Tristan in and clear things up once and for all.
Nancy held her glass of lemonade with both hands.
She kept her head down, biting her lower lip.
After a long pause, she finally looked up, her eyes misty and unfocused.
“Tristan wants to break up with me,” Nancy said, her voice trembling.
Seeing Nancy looking so miserable, Brianna felt a pang of sympathy.
She furrowed her brows without even realizing it.
“Why?” Brianna asked, her voice a bit sharper than usual.
“Because of you!” Nancy replied bluntly, her voice cutting through the air.
Brianna was taken aback by her response.
She was stunned for a moment before finally saying, “Look, Nancy, you’re misunderstanding…”
Before Brianna could finish, Nancy jumped in and interrupted her.
“Have you read his diary?” Nancy pressed, her tone sharp.
“I don’t think it’s my place to read Tristan’s diary,” Brianna replied.
Nancy gave a mocking laugh.
“So you just act like you have no clue about how he feels, play with his genuine feelings, and string him along?” Nancy snapped, her tone full of biting sarcasm.
Her attitude really got under Brianna’s skin.
But she didn’t let it show.
She just gave a slight smile.
“We grew up together, so helping each other is only natural,” Brianna said, keeping her cool.
But Nancy didn’t buy it.
She shot back, her tone icy.
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Chapter 96
“If you two really liked each other, I wouldn’t interfere, no matter how much I liked him. But you’re already married and bave a kid, and you’re still playing with his heart? I’m not just going to sit back and let it happen,” Nancy snapped.
Stubborn determination flashed across her youthful face.
Brianna felt offended.
Her smile faded, but she kept her voice polite and soft.
“In business, it’s normal for people to do favors for each other. I really don’t get why you think I’m playing with his feelings How exactly am I doing that?” Brianna asked, keeping her tone steady.
“If you’re not playing with his feelings, then why do you keep having him do things for you? And why would you even put your marriage on the line?” Nancy pressed, her voice brimming with frustration.
At this, Brianna was at a loss for words.
‘Did Tristan really write even those jokes in his diary?‘ Brianna thought, a bit dumbfounded.
“It was just a joke,” Brianna explained, trying to brush it off.
“Maybe it’s just a joke to you, but for someone who’s been crazy about you for over twenty years, that’s the only thing they’ve got to hold onto,” Nancy fired back, her words full of accusation.
“Fine, maybe I was out of line,” Brianna said, her tone softening.
She hadn’t realized her joke would actually hurt someone innocent.
“Why don’t I just call Tristan and we talk this out together?” Brianna suggested.
Before Nancy could say anything, the waiter brought over their drinks.
Nancy took her orange juice, gripping the glass tightly with both hands.
She looked like she was trying to shrink into herself.
Brianna was dying to gossip about whether Nancy was pregnant.
But she caught herself, asking would be way out of line.
Brianna picked up her coffee, pulled out her phone, and was about to call Tristan.
But Nancy quickly stopped her.
“Why are you calling him over?” she blurted out.
“Huh?” Brianna stared at Nancy, confused by the anger blazing in her eyes.
“Are you trying to rub it in or something?” Nancy demanded, her voice sharp and unfriendly.
Brianna frowned, still not sure what Nancy was getting at.
Nancy was barely holding back her anger.
“Is that what you want? To make me watch the person I care about look so small in front of you?” Nancy demanded, her voice shaky..
Her
eyes filled with tears, her face red as she confronted Brianna.
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Chapter 96
Brianna didn’t know what to say.
“No, that’s not it, Nancy. What are you really after?” Brianna asked, her voice showing her frustration.
Nancy’s face turned bright red with fury as she glared daggers at Brianna.
55 Voucher
“I used to think you were a decent person, but you’re nothing but a fake innocent bitch,” Nancy spat, her voice shaking with
rage.
No matter how calm Brianna usually was, even she couldn’t keep her anger in check this time.
“I don’t even know you, and you keep showing up just to cause trouble for me. I’m only tolerating you because you’re Tristan’s girlfriend, so you’d better watch what you say!” Brianna snapped, her voice sharp.
Nancy didn’t hold back. She snorted in disdain, giving Brianna a cold, mocking laugh.
“Tell me I’m wrong! You use Tristan to fight your own family, and you make a joke out of your marriage. If that’s not being a two–faced manipulator, then what is?” Nancy spat, her words laced with sarcasm.
Brianna felt the urge to slap Nancy across the face, but she managed to restrain herself.
‘Forget it, she’s just a twenty–something kid–no sense of boundaries, just blurting out whatever comes to mind, Brianna thought, trying to keep her cool.
She steadied herself, working hard to keep her composure.
“Listen, young lady, try using your brain before you open your mouth. Don’t go around hurting people with your words,” Brianna said, her tone sharp.
She stood up, ready to leave.
“Just keep whatever’s between you and Tristan to yourselves-” Brianna began, her tone firm.
But before she could finish, Nancy shot up and hurled her orange juice right at Brianna’s face.
“You have no right to even say his name to my face!” Nancy yelled, her voice cracking with anger.
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