99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 116

“Heh…” A mocking chuckle suddenly sounded.

“I heard that the notorious Ms. Telder had studied fashion design abroad. I wonder when you’ll be capable of winning a trophy like Ms. Reese?”

“This is impossible! The award must be rigged!” Breanne scoffed, “She’s never even set foot in the fashion world! She must’ve gotten it through connections, through back doors!”

“Is that so?” the unknown man said, “So you’re questioning the authority and fairness of Golden Threads?

If you’re that sure, I can take you straight to Miss Loran and let you expose it.”

“Then let’s go! Loran must’ve been deceived! No one knows Claire’s background better than I do. She’s an amateur, plain and simple! There’s definitely something shady behind this award! I’m betting she slept with a few of the judges; she is that type of woman, you know.”

Breanne clung to her words like a drowning person grabbing the last straw, already moving to follow the man.

I heard approaching steps from behind me, and quickly moved to hide behind the curtain of the stage.

What was Breanne up to?

At that moment, Liam’s tall figure appeared at the door when Breanne stepped out with a man that I now recognized as Harrison Grant.

“Liam?” Breanne gasped; she immediately took a step back from Harrison in panic. “This isn’t what you think. We were just talking.” Breanne quickly added.

Harrison smirked and leaned against the door frame to watch the pair interact.

“Breanne, what are you doing here?” Liam questioned.

“You told me to prove myself capable of being by your side, so that is what I am doing.” Breanne lifted her chin as she spoke.

“And you being here has nothing to do with Claire being here and winning an award I knew you had always dreamt of?” Liam asked in disbelief.

Curious. What did Breanne mean by, be by his side?

Had Liam finally given up on me and admitted he wanted Breanne to be his Luna?

“I saw your frantic expression when she was handed the award, Breanne. Now I find you in the room next to the stage, having secret chats with Harrison Grant? I’m not stupid. You’re clearly up to something.” Liam took a step forward.

“I need to expose her, Liam. She slept her way to that award, and you know it.” Breanne snarled.

His face darkened, veins pulsing at his temple. “Breanne, enough!”

His voice cracked like a whip.

He stepped up, gripping Breanne’s wrist so tightly it was nearly bone-crushing, dragging her away without giving her a chance to resist.

“Liam! Let me go!” Breanne struggled desperately, “Claire is a fraud, a complete fraud! You and I both know she has no real talent! This Gold Prize is a farce-there must be some mistake!”

Even now, Breanne clung stubbornly to her obsession, refusing to let go of my so-called flaws.

“Breanne! Put away your ridiculous jealousy, will you? Claire has abilities you can’t even see, let alone understand. Do you really think she wasted those three years at home doing nothing but cooking and cleaning? She was sharpening herself every moment, not wasting her life away like you!”

I watched him, stunned, as he jabbed a finger at Breanne, his voice a blade.

“You, who spend all day drifting through Alberta’s circles of vanity, a shallow socialite!”

“That’s truly how you see me?” Breanne asked, wounded.

“Stop behaving like it, and I wouldn’t. I want to believe in you again, Brea. I do, but you’re making it hard.”

Liam’s voice was almost pleading for her to hear him.

Breanne staggered in disbelief, her eyes wide.

“Liam, you still see Claire as flawlessly perfect, and I am just the gum stuck to your shoe?” Breanne’s voice cracked, heavy with sobs as grief and humiliation crashed over her.

“I want to see you as more, but you have to stop with these petty games, Brea.”

By then, I had heard enough and slipped away unseen by the trio.

The moment I resurfaced among the crowds, everything shifted.

The room of guests swarmed towards me like bees to nectar.

Even Harrison Grant, who was just moments ago with Breanne, was now standing before me with his trademark award-winning smirk.

“Claire, that suit of yours is pure art! We’ve already placed our orders-deposits paid! Here, take my card; you must keep it. Harrison-”

“Claire, what an honour! I’m so-and-so, here’s my card. Let’s be friends. If you ever need anything in Edmonton, say the word!”

“Claire, I’ve long admired you from afar! Meeting you in person feels like fate! And I hear you’re single now? What a coincidence-I am too! My name is…”

I paused, frowning slightly at the overly eager faces crowding around me.

All of these eligible bachelor males were eager to give me their names and contact information.

I’d never been treated like this before, but that didn’t mean I was enjoying it.

I clearly remembered how not long ago, at another gathering, these same people had fawned over

Breanne.

And now-after just one Gold Prize-they were falling over themselves to court me instead.

I didn’t have much time to consider a response, because everything was put to a halt when a firm voice rang out.

“Excuse me, please step aside.”

As I was hemmed in on all sides, Liam strode forward with a cold expression. Without hesitation, he cut through the crowd and came to my side, shielding me with his arm.

“Claire is already claimed and mated! Your desperate friendship requests will not be accepted!”