Zoe was probably feeling just as humiliated as Tessa did right now.
At least Tessa had actually dated Logan for two years.
Zoe's pathetic attempt had crashed and burned before it even took off.
"But I know you. I've had a crush on you for a long time," Zoe murmured to herself as she stepped aside, defeated.
Tessa hadn't left yet and was visibly relishing the show.
Dane completely ignored the spectacle, turning all his attention to Claire. "Are things wrapping up down here? Do you want me to walk you upstairs?"
"This is my roommate, Zara," Claire said, introducing her to Dane.
"Hello," Dane said, giving Zara a polite nod but making no move to offer his hand.
Zara wasn't stupid enough to force a handshake, but she was still deeply flattered by the acknowledgment.
"Hi! Wow, Dane, your reputation really precedes you. You are easily the most handsome guy I've ever seen!"
Claire looked over at Zara. "Weren't you going to the shooting range? Are we skipping that now?"
Zara glanced around, realizing no one was in the mood to shoot.
Seeing her biggest rival looking as deflated as a popped balloon, Zara couldn't help but gloat a little.
"Well, it looks like Zoe and the others aren't exactly in the right headspace for target practice today. Let's do it another time. I'll definitely invite you."
Claire shrugged. "Whatever works."
"We'll head out, then."
Dane left the party early, and no one dared to say a word about it.
Claire hadn't been an official guest to begin with, so her departure went completely unnoticed.
Tessa took the opportunity to slip away as well, unable to stomach the sight of Logan and Zoe standing together.
Zoe remained, but she was now the target of everyone's whispers and pointed stares.
The gossip was even worse than when Preston had called off his engagement to Zara.
At least back then, Zoe had rejected Preston and hadn't actually gotten with him.
Most people agreed she couldn't take all the blame for that mess.
But this situation was entirely different.
Tessa and Zoe had been inseparable, joined at the hip.
And yet, the boyfriend Tessa had introduced to the group had ended up dumping
her for Zoe. There was no way to spin that to make it look innocent.
It might have been fine if Tessa didn't care.
But today, Tessa had made it abundantly clear just how furious she was.
Zoe had completely lost all of her dignity.
The socialites in their circle were now looking at her through a very judgmental lens.
She felt suffocated by the scrutiny, but there was absolutely nothing she could do about it.
She desperately wanted to leave, but her mother wouldn't let her.
Her mother was busy networking and cozying up to the other wealthy matriarchs.
Zoe had no choice but to endure it.
Catching Zara shooting her a mocking smirk was the last straw; Zoe finally broke down sobbing quietly.
Perfectly on cue, Preston rushed over to check on her.
Unable to hold back, Zoe threw herself into Preston's arms, her tears soaking his shirt.
Preston's heart practically shattered at the sight.
"Zoe, please don't cry. Did Zara bully you again?"
"I'll handle her for you!" Preston had walked away earlier and missed the main event.
If he had stayed, he would have seen exactly how a guy who was fawning over Zoë had just publicly dumped... his girlfriend to be with her .net>
"No, it's fine. It's not Zara's fault. It's all on me."
Zoe just kept sobbing, refusing to offer any actual explanation.
She wasn't ready to let Preston off the hook just yet; she still needed him as a backup option.
Preston immediately assumed Zara was the villain and stormed off to confront her.
He bulldozed his way through the crowd, finding Zara chatting with her mother.
"Zara, I need a word with you."
Seeing Preston approach, Zara felt a wave of pure annoyance.
"What do you want? Just spit it out."
She knew Preston was holding back because her mom was standing right there.
But she had no intention of making things easy for him.
Preston kept his face stony, looking like she owed him millions of dollars.
Zara's mother instantly took a dislike
to him, "Preston, if you have
isnt going anywhereSlike
Someth
to say
to say just say it. Zar