99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 127

At 5:30 in the evening, I drove away from the company.

Merlin had booked a restaurant, saying he wanted to gather the company’s executives and a few trusted clients to celebrate my promotion. The place was near Moonves, a private restaurant famous for sashimi and seafood.

I arrived and parked around six.

When I stepped inside, the owner handed me a bouquet and personally led me to a private room.

Didn’t they already give me flowers in the meeting room this afternoon? Why another one now? At this rate, I’d be able to start up my own floral shop by the end of this week.

Just as I reached out to push the door open, it was pulled from the inside.

“Claire, you’re here!” The familiar voice exploded in my ears before I could dismiss my own suspicion.

I looked up-and there he was. Liam.

“This is our company’s dinner. What are you doing here?” I asked and turned to leave.

Liam quickly blocked my path and dragged me into an empty private room.

“Liam, move now or I will scream!”

At the sight of Liam now, nausea churned inside me, like swallowing a fly I couldn’t spit out or force down.

I honestly couldn’t understand why he was always up my arse; the bond has been broken for so long. Before the rejection, I had told him everything I wanted to say.

So why did he keep haunting me, showing up at every occasion I attended-pretending to be devoted, begging for forgiveness-yet always putting Breanne up on a pedestal? It disgusts me.

“Claire, I know you misunderstood the situation,” Liam didn’t dare meet my eyes. “Breanne secured a one-billion-dollar contract for the Sterling Moon pack on the condition that she be sworn in as the temporary Luna while my mother and father recover. That’s why I-

“Liam, I don’t care, and you don’t need to explain. What I hope is that from now on, you keep your distance. Please don’t show up in front of me pretending to confess or play the victim. As for Breanne, she’s provoked and humiliated me time after time. I’ll never let her off. I hope you can make that distinction.”

I finished and turned to leave.

With Liam present, I had no appetite for dinner.

“Claire-” His hoarse voice tore behind me, as if dragged across glass. “I’m not pretending, and every word of my confession comes from the heart. I regret rejecting you’ every single day. I want to find our beginning again, to return to who we once were. But you won’t give me even the slightest chance-”

“Shut up, you spineless bastard! Don’t say another word to me about it!” I couldn’t bear to listen any longer. I yanked the door open with force.

But just as I stepped forward, Liam shouted behind me.

“Claire, I know you’ve been promoted to vice president at Moonves, and I sincerely want to support you. The Sterling Moon pack has plans for a full renovation, with all furniture replaced. I’m negotiating the order with Merlin under your name. For my sake, can’t you put aside your grudge with Breanne, and work together for mutual benefit?”

I froze mid-step. I turned back, staring at Liam in disbelief.

“Liam, do you even hear what you’re saying?”

“I heard you had Lucien throw her into a snake pit, and last night I saw you slap her in the private room- she didn’t even fight back. She told me she’s always felt guilty, that she was the reason for our rejection, and she doesn’t want things to be so hostile between you. If you’re willing to reconcile, she’s willing to let bygones be bygones. Maybe, with more effort on your end, you two could be like sisters.”

Smack-

I slapped him so hard I could barely breathe from the fury.

“Liam, you really are disgusting. I thought the rejection would wake you up, but I didn’t expect you’d sell yourself out again so quickly-all for a measly contract worth one billion dollars that came with strings. Do you still not see who Breanne Telder really is?”

Red welts bloomed across Liam’s pale face.

He covered his cheek, eyes flashing with restrained anger, yet he didn’t lash out. Instead, he said slowly,

“I’m not speaking for her. I want things to go back to being simple. I’ve already taken over as Alpha of the Sterling Moon pack and all the assets within the family. If you keep opposing us, what good outcome can you possibly have? Do you really think Lucien is on your side? Men like him-brutal, ruthless-could never truly care. One day he’ll drag you into ruin.”

He took a step closer.

“Think of your mother. If it hadn’t been for Lucien’s father, would she have endured such infamy? Claire, you have to consider your own reputation. You and Lucien are registered as step-siblings with the council. If this continues, what will people think?”

Every word, wrapped as if for my sake, was laced with poison, chilling me to the bone.

My eyes reddened as I backed away, trembling.

“Liam, I can’t believe those words came out of your mouth.”

My voice shook. My whole body shook. Once, I had thought Liam was the one who understood me best. Now I realized-between us wasn’t just a galaxy, but entire worlds apart.

“Hard truths are bitter, but I had to say them.”

Liam mistook my silence for success. He stepped closer, gently gripping my shoulders.

“Lucien is a demon. I’m the one who’s truly close to you. Don’t be afraid. As long as you stay with me, I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

I drew a deep breath.

Looking into Liam’s tender gaze felt like fire scorching my soul. Whatever remnants of love still clung in the cracks and corners of my heart burned away completely.

I shoved him hard. My hands clawed at empty air, catching only void. It was like standing on the edge of a cliff, my body and soul plunging into endless darkness.

‘Liam, you’re the one who hurt me the most. Every moment with you was hell. Escaping, you gave me freedom-even my breath is my own again, my soul unchained at last, free to chase what I truly desire!

A thousand words clogged my throat, but I had no wish to speak a single one.

How could a creature of summer ever understand the nature of ice? Some hearts, no matter how close in flesh or in time, never truly meet.

“You have never disappointed me more than in this moment. I never want to see you again!” I whispered, barely louder than the sharp inhale Liam made when he heard my words.

He never understood what I longed for. He never asked. They were always from different worlds.

“Open the door.”

I was still dazed when a deep, calm voice sounded outside the private room.