Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 270

“Who told you to act so impulsively back then? You know as well as I do that Noreen is the kind of person who never lets anything slide.”

Lillian’s indignation flared at the scolding. “I just couldn’t stand it—that’s all! And besides, I was standing up for you, Bianca!”

Bianca scanned the letter from the lawyers.

Noreen was demanding not only a public apology from Lillian, but also compensation for damages.

The money was one thing—manageable, if annoying. But a public apology? That would be catastrophic for Lillian’s reputation.

After a moment’s thought, Bianca decided to try and talk sense into her. “You should go to Winrich in person and apologize to Noreen.”

“No way!” Lillian nearly leapt out of her chair. “There’s no way I’m lowering myself like that!”

“Do you still want to marry into the upper crust or not?” Bianca broke down the reality for her. “Do you realize what a public apology would do to your social standing?”

Lillian immediately fell silent.

“I know you can’t swallow your pride on this. Honestly, do you think I can? But is this really the time to get stubborn? She’s practically untouchable right now. If you go head-to-head with her, you’re just asking to get crushed.”

Lillian looked utterly defeated. “Then what am I supposed to do?”

“Just grit your teeth and get through it,” Bianca said. “You can’t take her down now, but that doesn’t mean you never will. Wait for a better opportunity.”

A flicker of cold determination flashed in Bianca’s eyes.

In the end, Lillian had no choice but to show up at Winrich and apologize to Noreen in person.

She didn’t see Noreen, though. Instead, Noreen had left instructions with Sophia to relay her message.

Lillian was ordered to stand at the front doors and repeat, “Noreen, I’m sorry,” two hundred and fifty times.

Sophia supervised the whole thing herself—and even recorded it on video for Noreen.

Noreen was surprised, but not really.

It was obvious that, to Bianca, saving face meant more than saving dignity.

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A new week dawned—warm air, spring in full bloom, the kind of day that promised good things.

Noreen headed to the city offices to discuss a project. She hadn’t expected Padgett Novak to be the one greeting her.

A few questions later, she learned that Director Moss was currently suspended pending an investigation. All of his responsibilities had been temporarily handed over to Padgett.

If she’d never experienced heartbreak, maybe she would have fallen for him.

But after everything she’d been through, she’d come to see love as just another fleeting experience. When she’d needed love most, she’d never truly received it. No matter how much love she was offered now, it just didn’t move her anymore.

She’d rather keep her distance than risk disappointing someone who cared—honesty was its own form of kindness.

Padgett was perceptive; he always knew when to stop, never pushing, never crossing boundaries, never making her uncomfortable.

So he never asked for more.

“Come on, let’s eat. I’m starving,” he said, taking the umbrella from her and opening it over her head.

Noreen relaxed, and the two of them strolled down the street, laughter and easy conversation making them look, for all the world, like a happy couple.

Across the road, a silver Maybach sped by.

In the back seat, Seth caught a glimpse of the scene: Noreen and Padgett under the umbrella, walking together.

The car was gone in a flash, the moment over in an instant.

But for some reason, that image branded itself in Seth’s mind, and no matter how fast the car drove, he couldn’t shake it free.