99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 117

Harrison eyed Liam up and down.

“I must say, Liam Sterling, that’s a fresh approach. As far as I know, you and Ms. Reese have rejected one another after you chased the tail of your bestie one too many times.”

His words had barely settled before his companions chimed in with knowing smirks.

“Exactly. Isn’t the great heir of Sterling Mon famous for his oh-so-deep ‘Friendly bond’ with his beloved Breanne? What’s this act supposed to be? You can’t have them all, Liam.”

“Tsk. Don’t tell me you’re regretting it now-seeing Claire being crowned in glory and now you’re wanting her back?” Harrison deliberately stretched his tone and turned to me. “So, Claire-are you two getting back together?”

The room erupted at once.

The buzzing chatter pricked my skin like needles. Can I not have a single evening where I am not engulfed in the drama of Breanne or Liam’s?

I glanced at him, my gaze dropping to the hand resting possessively on my shoulder. A sharp wave of revulsion rose from deep within.

What was he doing? Shielding me in public? Claiming me as his own?

How laughable. In all three years of being mated, when had he ever defended me so openly? Or stood by me proudly? Not once. Even when Breanne mocked me to my face, he’d chosen peace over taking my side, leaving me to swallow the humiliation alone.

My mind immediately flashed to my birthday celebration. The slap. The words. The days of torture that followed. Where was he to protect me then?

And now-now that I had stood tall on my own strength, clutching the golden trophy in my hand-he suddenly showed up like some saviour.

What did he take me for? Something lost and found again? A shiny prize to flaunt? I had made things clear the other day at TopDresser. We were over.

I was no longer Mrs. Sterling, no longer his appendage. My choices, my life-none of it had anything to do with him.

With a sudden, decisive movement, I stepped back, breaking free from his touch.

“Liam, it seems that you have a poor memory. Whatever was between us ended long ago. My personal life is none of your concern.”

I watched as all the colour bled from Liam. His shoulders slumped in, and the light that once shone proudly in his eyes dimmed into nothing.

I turned to Harrison and the others, my expression calm and polite once more.

“Thank you for appreciating my work. I’ll hold onto the cards. If opportunities arise, we can discuss collaborations in the future. Excuse me.”

I slipped the stack of business cards into my clutch, then walked straight past Liam’s frozen form without so much as a glance.

Breanne, I noticed, was watching from the sidelines. Of course, she saw it all. She sees everything that orbits around Liam.

The party finally ended.

I had tried to refuse the endless toasts, but Loran and the other industry veterans wouldn’t let me off so easily. By the end of it, I had drunk more than I should have.

Now, as I stepped out of the hotel, a heavy dizziness washed over me. This wasn’t regular drunkenness-it came in crashing waves, battering my clarity.

I forced myself to stay composed. After saying goodbye to Loran, I spotted a white van waiting by the curb with its door already open.

I started toward it, only for a black car to glide in front of me and stop.

My vision swam and doubled.

In my muddled state, I assumed it was my Uber ride. All I wanted was to escape the suffocating night.

I realized now, my drink was drugged, and although I didn’t trust the men pursuing me, I had a sneaking suspicion it was Breanne.

She was watching me all night, and her entire demeanour changed after Liam refused to fall into her attempts to work the room together. Instead, Liam was stuck to my shadow, tailing me everywhere.

This had Breanne all over it. But when? When could she have slipped something in the drinks?

Shaking the thoughts away, I had to focus on getting home quickly. I didn’t know exactly what the drug was, and it would be safer if I were home.

I opened the door and nearly collapsed into the back seat.

“To Pinecrest Villas, in the Southgate area.” My voice was thick with drink, weakened, hoarse.

Before I could say more, I sank back against the leather seat, eyes squeezed shut, fighting the dizzying heat clawing through my veins.

“Ok.” A low voice came from the front.

No extra words, just the smooth start of an engine.

My tension eased slightly. My limbs felt boneless, my bones buzzing with a strange ache and heat.

“Hot! Why is it so hot in here?”

The car came to a stop at a red light.

I blinked open hazy eyes and caught sight of the driver in the wide rearview mirror. That sharp profile, those thin, tightly pressed lips-

My breath caught.

“Lucien? Why are you my Uber driver?” I blurted, stunned.

For a split second, the shock cleared my head-before the heat surged back, even fiercer.

“How much did you drink?” His gaze sharpened on my flushed face, my unfocused eyes, “The car reeks of alcohol.”

It was clear to see that this wasn’t just drunkenness. There was something else-something wrong in the air. His expression darkened at once.

I tried to ask the questions tangled in my throat. He was supposed to be in the hospital. Why was he here?

Was he here for me?

But before I could, the fever hit harder, tearing through my control.

Darkness swept in, and my body crumpled heavily onto the seat.

“Damn it!” I thought I heard him hiss.

I vaguely saw Lucien whip around, his eyes narrowing. I was curled on my side, losing consciousness, my face unnaturally flushed, sweat beading on my temple, my breath hot and shallow.

I could feel the car accelerate rapidly, speeding straight towards our homes.

The parking lot was silent when we arrived, at least that was what I thought; most things were muffling and mute around me as I struggled to hold onto the last shred of consciousness in me.

Half-conscious, I felt strong arms scoop me up. I tried to lift my eyelids, but my vision was swimming.

And then a force shifted my world. In the next heartbeat, I was slung firmly over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.