NovelGoldChapter 328 "No worries, let's go," Mandy said, grabbing Normand by the arm and heading for the exit.
But behind them, Liam's cold voice cut through the din. "MANDY!" Her heart skipped a beat. Guilt flickered across her face, but she pretended not to hear him and kept walking. Suddenly, Liam's hand clamped around hers, stopping her in her tracks.
"You're one of Crestview Tech's brightest, and you're really going to hang around with someone like him?" Normand bristled, stepping forward to retort. "What's wrong with someone like me? I'm Mandy's boyfriend. Our relationship is none of your business." Liam shot Mandy a sharp look. "He's your boyfriend?" She hesitated for just a moment before answering, "Yes, he is. Now let go of me." Instead of releasing her, Liam's grip only tightened. His lips curled into a bitter smile. "If he's really your boyfriend, then why did you ccrying tofor help when you were desperate? Why did you needto bail you out?" "This is my life, not yours," Mandy snapped, wrenching her hand free.
"Mandy!" She drew a deep breath, as if steeling herself for something. "Don't believe me? I'll prove it." With that, she reached up, grabbed Normand by the collar, and pulled him close, standing on tiptoe until their noses were nearly touching.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtNormand's eyes widened in shock; he stood frozen, completely caught off guard. From Liam's angle, it looked for all the world like Mandy was kissing Normand.
His hands clenched into fists.
Mandy straightened and glanced over her shoulder at Liam. "Now do you believe me?" His face darkened, jaw clenched so tight it looked painful. He shot daggers at her with his eyes.
Mandy avoided his gaze, took Normand's hand, and strode away without a backward glance.
Liam watched their hands, entwined together, fury simmering in his chest.
With a loud bang, he slammed his fist into the door.
"Mandy, you've really outdone yourself this time." Normand rode his motorcycle in silence, lips pressed into a thin line, his mood as stormy as the clouds overhead. Mandy's 'kiss' had been nothing but an act; their lips hadn't even touched. He could see it now-she'd used him as nothing more than a prop, just to get under that guy's skin.
The more he thought about it, the more it gnawed at him, like a stone lodged in his chest.
He didn't bother asking Mandy if she wanted to head back to campus. Instead, he pulled up in front of the bar and killed the engine.
As soon as they got off, he grabbed her by the wrist and, without a word, dragged her inside.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe bar was a riot of flashing lights and pounding music, bodies moving wild and loose on the dance floor. Normand shoved Mandy onto a sofa in the corner, then leaned in, crowding her space.
But Mandy's reflexes were faster. In a flash, she raised her foot and pressed it firmly against his chest, stopping him cold. Her eyes were icy as she warned, "Wanna try your luck?" The flickering lights threw her features into sharp relief, danger radiating from every inch of her.
Whatever courage Normand had mustered evaporated under her glare. He let out a defeated sigh and flopped onto the sofa beside her, their shoulders brushing, his head coming to rest on her shoulder.
Softly, almost pleading, he said, "Mandy, I really do like you." She smirked. "Affection doesn't pay the bills." "Why not?" Normand protested, a note of desperation in his voice. "If you just gavea chance, I'd take care of you for the rest of your life." Mandy let out a cold, humorless laugh.
"I'll take care of you"-the oldest lie in the book.
Vincent once promised Claire he'd always protect her, that when hen beca lawyer, he'd make sure anyone who hurt her ended up behind bars.
She could still hear his words, but the man himself had becongeunrecognizable. Believing a man's sweet talk? That's a fool's game.
Mandy stood, brushing herself off. "Normand, lines like that might work on naïve girls, but I've never been that easy to fool." "You have fun in here. I'm leaving." She'd barely taken a step when a drunk collapsed at her feet, arms winding tightly around her waist. He slurred, "Claire..."
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