Chapter 190
In an underground parking lot, Claire spots Liam approaching with Nora, who is stunning in a red gown. Liam deliberately blocks the path of Claire and Lucien’s Rolls-Royce, signaling a tense confrontation. Lucien demands they move, but Liam stands firm, his eyes locked fiercely on Claire and Lucien. Nora, meanwhile, openly admires Lucien, revealing her true interest, which shocks Claire and stirs her hatred toward Nora even more.
Nora flirts shamelessly with Lucien, attempting to charm him with childhood memories, but Lucien rebuffs her coldly. Claire realizes Nora’s aim was never Liam, but to get close to Lucien, her Alpha. Claire confronts Liam about Nora’s lack of genuine interest in him, which only provokes his arrogance. Nora finally recognizes Claire, and the painful memories of past bullying flood back to Claire, intensifying the hostility between them. Despite her anger, Claire maintains composure, exchanging sharp words with Nora.
Lucien issues a chilling warning to Nora before speeding off in the Rolls-Royce, leaving Liam and Nora behind. Nora appears shaken by Lucien’s power, while Liam remains stunned. Later, from Liam’s perspective, Nora admits she finds Lucien magnetic but reassures Liam that he is gentler and better for Claire. She then proposes organizing a class reunion where Liam could publicly confess his feelings for her, hoping to provoke Claire. Liam agrees, seeing it as an opportunity to challenge Claire, and their mood lightens as they walk into the mall together.
Chapter 189: Locked Eyes
The moment I spotted the two figures approaching, my heart sank. It was Liam, and beside him stood Nora, dazzling in a striking red gown that caught the dim light of the underground parking lot. The sight hit me like a punch to the chest.
Lucien was just about to pull away, but Liam, gripping Nora’s hand firmly, stepped right in front of the gleaming hood of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, forcing us to a halt.
I immediately understood Liam’s intention. Only a handful of people in Edmonton owned such a rare, limited-edition vehicle. Liam knew exactly whose car this was, and by standing there, he was deliberately blocking our path.
Lucien lowered the window, his expression cold and sharp. “Move p>
Liam’s face darkened, his eyes sharp and unyielding as they locked onto both Lucien and me with a fierce intensity.
Nora, still clutching Liam’s hand, openly admired Lucien’s profile, her gaze filled with undisguised adoration. I watched her bite her lip, never once breaking eye contact with him.
The atmosphere around us turned icy, as if the air itself had crystallized.
My hatred for her surged stronger than ever.
“Move!” Lucien’s voice dropped to a low, threatening growl, heavy with unspoken menace.
“Oh, Liam, come on. Let’s not block their way,” Nora chimed suddenly, as if she’d just realized how desperate and shameless she was acting. She gave Liam’s arm a playful shake, her voice dripping with forced sweetness.
But Liam ignored her completely, his gaze still locked on me with a burning intensity.
Seeing her efforts were futile, Nora let go of Liam’s hand and sauntered over to Lucien’s window. A flirtatious smile spread across her face as she extended her hand.
“Alpha Thorne, I’m so sorry to stop you like this! What a lucky coincidence. It’s truly an honor to meet you—I’m Nora,” she purred, emphasizing her name while batting her long lashes.
I almost laughed at the spectacle from my seat. ‘Same old Nora—never content, always chasing the next prize. Flirting with Lucien right in front of Liam? Is she trying to humiliate him on purpose p>
Lucien didn’t even glance her way, his eyes fixed coldly ahead. “In case you’re too dense to take the hint, I’ll say it plainly—I’m not interested p>
Nora’s smile faltered, but her voice only grew sweeter. “Alpha Lucien, don’t be like that! Don’t you remember? We used to ride horses together at the same stable when we were kids. You even taught me how to p>
Ah, now it all made sense. Nora’s true target was never Liam. Her sights were set on Lucien all along. The irony was delicious. Liam had tried to use Nora to make me jealous, but Nora was using Liam to get closer to a more powerful Alpha—my Alpha.
I couldn’t help myself. “Liam,” I interjected, unable to hold back, “if you’re going to find a new girl, could you at least pick one who’s actually present mentally? Or one who’s genuinely interested in you p>
At last, Liam shifted his gaze toward me, a cold smirk curling his lips. “Is that any of your business? The more you complain, the more I’ll do it. What’s wrong? Jealous p>
I was furious at his arrogance. Pointing at Nora, I snapped, “Jealous? Are you blind? Even a fool can see who she’s really interested in—and it’s definitely not you p>
That was when Nora finally noticed who was sitting beside Lucien. Her eyes reluctantly left his profile and slowly focused on me. Recognition dawned on her face, and her smile vanished instantly. Shock widened her eyes, swiftly replaced by a fierce, uncontrollable rage.
“Claire? It’s you!” she gasped.
Hearing my name from her lips dragged me back to the darkest days of university. For four long years, Nora and her clique had tormented me mercilessly.
They targeted me because I was alone, without anyone to defend me, and without a wolf to protect me.
I’d been locked inside filthy men’s bathrooms, terrified by false shouts of snakes being released inside. My lunchbox had been tampered with—dead fish and rotten shrimp left for me to eat. I was cornered, beaten, all because my grades were better or because a boy had glanced my way. Those years of humiliation and fear had haunted me relentlessly.
Back then, Liam had been the one to stand up for me, offering a brief refuge that made me see him as a savior.
But now, seeing him hand-in-hand with my former tormentor filled me with nothing but disgust. ‘Small world,’ I thought bitterly.
I straightened my back and met Nora’s glare with cold steel.
It took every ounce of restraint not to jump out of the car and slam her head against the hood of Lucien’s expensive vehicle. Instead, I forced a frosty smile, teeth clenched tight.
“Yes, Nora. Long time no see. Too bad it wasn’t longer p>
“Hah! I wondered who had the nerve to sit next to Alpha Thorne. Never thought it’d be someone like you!” Nora’s eyes flicked between Lucien and me, her expression shifting from disbelief to pure, raw jealousy. “Claire, you’ve really leveled up! Dumped Liam and already latched onto Alpha Lucien Thorne? I never pegged you as such a skilled man-eater p>
“Thanks for the compliment. Are you done? Please move. We have better things to do, but enjoy my leftovers p>
“Claire, you—!” Nora’s composure shattered completely.
“Last warning,” Lucien’s voice cut through the tension like ice, chilling the air around us instantly. “I’ll count to three. If you’re still here, I’ll reserve you a room in the morgue p>
Before the threat could fully sink in, Lucien slammed his foot down on the accelerator—even though the car was still in park.
Vroom!
The Cullinan’s engine roared fiercely, the sound echoing through the underground garage, making the entire vehicle tremble as if ready to leap forward.
Liam stood frozen, rooted to the spot like a statue. Nora, however, paled visibly at the display of power and danger. She shrieked, yanking Liam away from the car’s front with a desperate tug.
Without hesitation, Lucien turned the steering wheel sharply.
The Cullinan surged forward in a gust of cold air, brushing past them and vanishing quickly into the shadows.
LIAM’S POINT OF VIEW
We watched the taillights fade into the distance with a bittersweet look, until Nora suddenly pulled her hand free from mine.
“I have to say, Alpha Thorne is incredibly magnetic,” she murmured, her eyes distant and filled with longing.
My voice dropped cold enough to freeze fire. “What? Are you falling for him too, just like Claire p>
Nora snapped back to reality and looped her arm through mine. “Oh, don’t be ridiculous! A man like Alpha Thorne clearly doesn’t know how to treat a woman right. He’s nothing like you, Liam. You’re gentle. Claire will regret choosing him sooner or later p>
My tense expression softened a little. “That’s more like it p>
Nora giggled, though it sounded hollow.
“Liam,” she said, voice sweet again, “it’s been years since all our old classmates met. I was thinking of organizing a reunion. You said you wanted to make our relationship official soon, right? How about you confess your feelings for me publicly at the reunion p>
My body stiffened. This was supposed to be just a petty move against Claire, but a class reunion? A public confession?
Still, if Claire would be there to witness it, maybe it was worth the ridiculous idea.
I wanted to see where Claire would hide her face when I declared my devotion to Nora in front of all our old classmates—something I’d never done before, but now was willing to try, just to spite her.
“Fine. As long as you agree to be my girlfriend, anything you want p>
I slipped my arm around Nora’s shoulders, my mood visibly lifting as we walked together into the mall, the tension between us momentarily eased.
The confrontation in the underground parking lot laid bare the tangled emotions and unresolved tensions between Claire, Liam, Nora, and Lucien. Claire’s quiet strength and resilience shone through as she faced her past tormentor and the complicated dynamics of her present relationships. The icy exchange, charged with jealousy and power, underscored the deep wounds and shifting alliances that continue to shape their interactions, revealing how past pain and present desires collide in unexpected ways.
As the scene closed with Liam and Nora plotting their next move, the emotional undercurrents remained thick with longing, rivalry, and unresolved history. Each character wrestled with their own vulnerabilities and ambitions, setting the stage for further challenges and revelations. It was a poignant reminder that in the midst of love and betrayal, the journey to self-discovery and acceptance is as intricate as the bonds that tie them together.
The next chapter promises to deepen the tangled web of emotions and alliances, as the impending class reunion looms on the horizon. With Liam planning a public confession to Nora, tensions are bound to escalate, forcing Claire to confront not only her painful past but also the complicated present where old wounds and new rivalries collide. The delicate balance of power between Lucien, Liam, and Nora is set to be tested in ways that could reshape their relationships forever.
As the reunion approaches, expect a storm of unresolved feelings and unexpected confrontations. Claire’s resilience will be challenged, and the ghosts of her past may resurface in the most public and humiliating ways. Meanwhile, Nora’s true intentions and her complex connections to both Liam and Lucien will add layers of intrigue, keeping everyone on edge. The emotional stakes have never been higher, and every glance and word could ignite a new conflict or reveal a hidden truth.
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.