She's Too Busy Winning to Watch Him Cry novel Chapter 306

Halfway through Lyra's workday, Madeline showed up at her office. "Lyra, I'm so sorry. I completely misunderstood you."

"I was so blinded by anger these past few weeks. I chose a guy over my best friend."

Madeline hesitated, shifting awkwardly before speaking in a small voice. "We've known each other for years, and we've always shared everything. You're not going to stay mad at me, right?"

Looking at the blush-pink Hermes Kelly bag Madeline had placed on her desk, Lyra allowed a soft, genuine smile to touch her lips. She gave a gentle nod. "We're good."

"I'll gladly accept this."

Madeline immediately linked her arm through Lyra's. "I knew you were the best! Let's go out and have fun tomorrow..."

"Oh, by the way, I heard Lucas is back in town, and this time he's staying for good. He seems to have figured a lot of things out. He even mentioned he has a new girlfriend and wants to introduce us. Do you... want to come?"

Lyra didn't hesitate for a fraction of a second. Her response was razor-sharp. "No."

However, the very next evening, after slipping out to buy a slice of mousse cake, Lyra ran into Lucas near her apartment building.

He hadn't driven this time. He was walking toward her with a steady, relaxed stride. "Lyra. It's been a while."

"Why didn't you show up yesterday?"

Perhaps the harsh rural environment had stripped away his polished, aristocratic sheen. His skin was noticeably tanner, giving him a rugged, untamed edge.

Lyra sighed heavily. "Stop coming to my place. If your grandfather finds out, you'll just get banished again right after finally making it back."

Instead of getting angry, Lucas's eyes lit up with amusement. "Are you saying you'd hate to see me go?"

They were completely on different wavelengths.

It was like talking to a brick wall.

Lyra's face turned icy. "Lucas, the kind of man I want is someone who protects and cherishes me the way a father would. That is not you."

"I won't like you in this lifetime, the next lifetime, or the lifetime after that."

Feeling she had made herself brutally clear, Lyra didn't bother checking his reaction. She hurried inside and slammed the door shut behind her.

...

"What's wrong with you? Why are you walking so far away?"

"No, no! It's just... I had a bit to drink before I got here," Leo blurted out quickly.

Lyra offered a bright smile and reached out, wrapping her hands around his arm.

Leo let out a defeated sigh and allowed it, letting her hold onto him. Just then, he noticed a glowing neon sign down the block. "Hey, there's a new bar over there. Let's go grab a drink."

"Okay."

Stepping into the dimly lit venue, the clinking of glasses filled the air. Almost instantly, a familiar figure came into view.

It was Yvonne Ziegler.

Yvonne's gaze swept over their linked arms, her tone laced with amusement. "Well, this is quite a coincidence."

"Let's all sit together."