Shattered Rose He Held On Tight novel Chapter 85

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If Clarence said no, it would mean denying everything that ever happened between Claudia and Jasper. With all the rumors and judgment already hanging over her, people would probably claim she’d been shamelessly chasing him all along.

No matter what Clarence said, one of the sisters was going to get hurt.

Claudia had already suffered enough tonight, but …

“They never dated.” Clarence avoided her gaze and faced the instigator, his voice firm. “All those rumors are nonsense. The three of them grew up together, so they’re close. But Jasper only sees Claudia as a sister.”

Just a sister.

He’d made his decision.

It sounded almost exactly like what Jasper had said before.

Claudia laughed out loud.

That was her family, her brother. Even while apologizing, they were stabbing her in the back with every word.

Didn’t he see what denying it did to her? Still, he left her to face all the gossip and drama alone.

Lydia was the fragile one who needed shielding, while the Fenton family mattered a lot for business.

So, they thought Claudia, who already had a bad reputation, would be fine to get more dirt.

Clarence was indeed a businessman. He knew exactly where his interests lay.

How ironic. When she refused to marry Jasper, they’d tried everything to pressure her, even threatening her with her grandmother’s keepsakes.

But just a few hours later, once Lydia and their business interests were involved, Claudia got tossed aside without a second thought.

Her laugh was sharp and daring, yet somehow it just made people feel sorry for her.

Kayla squeezed Rainie’s hand and whispered, “Do you think they never dated?”

Rainie smirked. “The Lancasters just put it out there officially. Even if they did date before, now it’s like they didn’t.”

19:03 Thu, Oct 9

Chapter 85 They Bully Her

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Finished

A guy caught between two sisters? The Lancasters couldn’t risk that kind of scandal.

Rainie glanced at Claudia, who was laughing so hard that she almost doubled over. It was supposed to be her birthday, yet she looked like she was facing her whole family alone.

Kayla was right. They were straight–up bullying her.

“No way!” Irene snapped, practically yelling. “You and Jasper were dating!”

She crossed her arms and laughed coldly. “Either you went after your sister’s boyfriend, or Lydia stole him.”

Some people here knew the truth about the three of them. Hearing that, everyone looked away awkwardly–anywhere but at them.

As long as no one spoke the truth, everyone could pretend they didn’t know. Maybe gossip quietly, but nothing more. Too bad there was always someone who couldn’t keep their mouth

shut.

“Ms. Harrison! Watch your mouth!”

Clarence cut her off, his usual calm, polite expression gone, replaced with a dark scowl.

Agnes Harrison rushed over and grabbed her daughter. “Enough, Irene! Shut it! Why are you meddling in their family business?”

The Romeros might look down on Claudia’s background, but the Lancasters had a solid reputation. Their eldest son was young and successful, and the family was thriving. Who knew what could happen in the future?

Agnes pinched Irene’s waist. Everyone knew the Lancasters spoiled Lydia. Picking on Claudia was one thing, but why say it out loud in public?

After all, their family had business dealings with the Lancasters.

Irene stayed stubbornly silent.

She just couldn’t stand Jasper, that cheating jerk, or Lydia, always acting all sweet and innocent. She also hated Claudia, who had once taken Jasper from her and now looked so pathetic.

She was only here to cause trouble.

Send Gifts

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19:03 Thu, Oct 9

Shattered Rose He Held On Tight