Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 943

That was just who Noreen was—keeping boundaries crystal clear and remaining fiercely independent.

She wouldn't accept any unreasonable gifts, nor would she ever allow someone else to give more than their fair share.

If she received something expensive, she would quietly make a note of it and return the favor with an even more thoughtful gift.

It wasn't that she was ungrateful; she just understood the absolute necessity of balance.

She refused to let anyone think she was taking advantage of them.

Back when she was trying to apologize to Halley Joyner, she had gone to an auction to buy a painting he liked, only for Bianca to outbid her.

In truth, Bianca hadn't even wanted the piece—she just wanted to snatch it away from Noreen.

Once Bianca had it, she immediately lost interest. She didn't even realize that Seth had bought it right back and used Wade as a proxy to gift it to Noreen.

Yet, it hadn't taken long for Noreen to visit an antique shop and purchase another painting to give Wade in return.

She was impossibly clear-headed and self-reliant.

That was why, throughout all those years, any gift he bought her was kept strictly within a price range she could comfortably match. He never wanted to pressure her.

Hearing the precise number of days he had tracked, a lump formed in Noreen's throat.

Suddenly, the tiny apartment felt incredibly stifling.

She turned her face away, her fingers curling unconsciously as the stagnant waters of her heart began to ripple once more.

Taking a moment to swallow back the suffocating tightness in her chest, she finally looked back at him. "Why do something so pointless? Or do you actually think pulling a stunt like this will make me soften up and run back to you?"

"I've never thought that," he answered with absolute sincerity.

If the alcohol hadn't loosened his tongue tonight, he would never have let her find out about this.

He just wanted to feel what she had felt, to walk the path she had walked.

To pay back the debts he owed. It had nothing to do with her.

...

Life slipped back into its usual routine.

Noreen went on a business trip, and since Seth was only a probationary assistant, he wasn't required to tag along.

As a result, she didn't see him for an entire week.

Noreen wasn't the only one slammed with work that week—Claire Chase was swamped too.

Claire had struck gold recently, landing two commercial deals and a acting gig back-to-back. Her schedule was finally packed again.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify