Tomorrow?
Claire frowned. She really didn't have the time, so she made no move to take the invitation.
"I'm sorry, Sloane. I already have plans for tomorrow."
The smile on Sloane's face nearly shattered.
No one had ever turned down her invitations before, yet here was Claire smoothly blowing her off for "other plans."
But getting her to ask a second time was out of the question.
Sloane didn't need to speak, though someone else was eager to do it for her.
It was Levi Charles, her resident lapdog, once again.
"Sloane is doing you a favor by inviting you, and you have the nerve to reject it? Who do you think you are?"
Claire glanced over in disbelief. What an absolute idiot!
"Is there some sort of rule stating that attendance at her party is mandatory?" Claire asked, directing the question straight at Sloane's face.
She didn't bother keeping her voice down. The surrounding tables definitely caught every word.
Now the entire cafeteria knew that Sloane had invited Claire, only to be flat-out rejected.
Sloane's expression grew visibly dark.
She was genuinely starting to resent Levi for causing this scene.
She shot Levi a warning glare before turning back to Claire. "Not at all. It was just an invitation, no pressure."
"I just wanted us to get to know each other better, but since you're busy, we can forget about it."
Since Claire had the audacity to reject her, Sloane wouldn't let her anywhere near the party now, even if she begged.
This wasn't the first time Claire had embarrassed her in public.
Once was an accident. Twice was a pattern. She wouldn't let there be a third time! Sloane would absolutely never approach Claire again.
She snatched the invitation back lightning fast, as if terrified Claire might suddenly change her mind.
Claire could clearly see Sloane's mounting irritation, but why should she care?
She just had zero desire to go to the party.
Tomorrow was the celebration party for Owen's company, marking the successful wrap-up of their first online sales wave.
Owen had insisted she be there.
"Thanks for understanding," Claire said smoothly.
Sloane didn't say a word, spinning on her heel to leave.
Levi, however, refused to drop it. "Slot just leaving? She
y disrespecting
t belongs to swet
"Levi!"
Sloane had reached her absolute limit.
She used to think this guy was a useful meat shield who happily dealt with her annoyances.
But right now, she loathed his utter inability to read the room.
"Don't be mad, Sloane, she's the one who doesn't know what's good for her..."
Sloane stormed off without another word, forcing Levi to scramble after her.
Claire let out a genuine, unapologetic laugh.
Given Sloane's massive ego, she
wanted to sweep the
rejection under the rug so nobody ad failed
would know she
Who could have guessed her own sidekick would shout it from the rooftops just to argue a point?
Was he worried his beloved goddess wasn't humiliated enough?
That was exactly what was running through Sloane's mind.
She seriously wanted Levi banned from her sight permanently.
"What's so funny?" Priscilla shot her a look.
Unlike the people nearby who were practically mourning Claire's missed opportunity.
The Sterlings might be a
powerhouse medical family but
Claire's mentor was her forme great-aunt.
FindNovel.net
s to
Priscilla idolized the woman and didn't think she was second to anyone.
Because of that, Priscilla didn't share the desperate need to kiss up to Sloane.
Instead, she was just a bit speechless watching Claire crack up.
Sure, turning down the invite wasn't a crime, but she had undeniably made a powerful enemy.
"I just think her little lapdog is hilarious. He has zero clue what his goddess actually wants."
Priscilla didn't bother asking who the lapdog was; she already knew.
But Claire was right. Levi Charles acted like a textbook simp.