Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 303

After dinner, Padgett Novak drove Noreen home.

Ordinarily, she’d have invited him upstairs for a drink, maybe some coffee. But Noreen worried that might send the wrong signal—give him the wrong idea. So she said goodbye at the entrance to her apartment complex instead.

Padgett Novak was always the perfect gentleman about this. He never made her feel uncomfortable.

She watched his car pull away, then turned to head inside—only to be greeted by a sneering voice behind her.

“Quite the operator, aren’t you? Even Padgett Novak’s fallen for your act.”

Oh, for God’s sake. Why won’t he just stay gone?

Noreen took a deep breath before she turned around. She didn’t bother even glancing at Seth, just walked straight for the gate as if he were invisible.

But Seth, persistent as ever, caught up in two strides and grabbed her arm.

Noreen spun and slapped him across the face. The crack echoed in the night air.

Seth’s head snapped to the side. He pressed his tongue against the inside of his cheek, then gave a cold little laugh. “Did I hit a nerve? Is that why you’re so angry?”

“No, I just thought I’d give you a lesson in manners on Mr. Harcourt’s behalf. Take your hand off me, or I’ll hit you again.”

Seth didn’t let go.

Before she could raise her hand a second time, he caught her wrist.

He stared at her with a chilling calm. “First it was Dylan. Now it’s Padgett Novak. How many guys are you lining up to replace me, Noreen?”

Once, she might have tried to explain herself—insisted that she was innocent, that there was nothing going on with anyone.

Now, she couldn’t be bothered.

Like hell she’d explain anything.

“I could date a hundred men, and it still wouldn’t have anything to do with you. Get that through your thick skull.”

“And if I can’t?”

“Then go to hell!”

Relieved, Noreen lied, “I got the medicine, Evelyn. Thank you.”

“Good. Please remember to take it on time, okay?” Evelyn urged.

Noreen promised she would.

After hanging up, most of her anger had drained away. She was just about to take a shower when someone knocked on her door.

She frowned, instantly knowing who it was.

Honestly, she didn’t want to answer. She’d moved, started over, all to leave the past behind. She’d fought so hard to get here—she wasn’t going to let anyone drag her back.

If Seth tried his old tricks, pounding on the door and trying to intimidate her, she wouldn’t hesitate—she’d call the police right then and there.

Noreen pulled up the emergency number on her phone, finger poised to dial.

But this time, the hallway fell silent after just three knocks. No shouting. No threats.

She checked through the peephole. The corridor was empty. Seth was already gone.