Chapter 229

**Chapter 229**

“Nan…” I whispered. “What is it?”

She looked at me, her eyes filled with regret. “I’m so sorry…” she said hoarsely, then looked away, staring at the ground.

“I can’t stay here…”

“Wait, what?” I asked, raising my eyebrows. “Why not? What’s wrong? Please, talk to me…”

She shook her head, clearly struggling to hold back her tears.

Tears were streaming down her face.

“I have to go…” she whispered.

Before I could respond, she dashed past me and ran toward the front door.

“Nan!” I shouted after her, but it was no use. She was already gone.

The front door slammed shut, and Nan rushed out of the mansion. I stood there, feeling confused.

I glanced back at Chester. He took a shaky breath, blinking a few times as if he had just realized where he was.

He looked at me, then turned to Harper, who was watching him with a puzzled expression. She raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms over her chest as she slid off the counter.

“What was that all about?” she asked him.

He didn’t respond.

He didn’t respond to her question. Instead, he turned to me and asked, “Who was that?” I was caught off guard.

“What?” I replied, surprised. “Why do you want to know?”

“Just answer the question,” he insisted.

He said it again, more firmly, making me step back. His eyes looked wild, and my heart raced in my chest. Something felt off, and I was determined to find out what was going on.

“My…”

“Best friend,” I replied, narrowing my eyes at him. “Nan Rugby.”

His face softened for a moment.

“Nan…” he whispered as if he were savoring the name on his lips. The expression on his face showed he was deep in thought.

I could tell he liked how it tasted. This made me even more curious. I had never seen her act like this before, and it was strange behavior for Chester too.

I glanced over my shoulder at the closed doorway, my mind racing with thoughts.

Harper asked, “Did you know her or something?” There was a hint of jealousy in her voice, and her face turned bright red with frustration.

He looked at her, and I could see that he wanted to apologize.

He had something on his lips, but he didn’t say it out loud. Instead, he turned away from her and started to walk past me and out the front door. He didn’t run like Nan had, but he moved quickly.

He walked with determination. I couldn’t help myself; I had to follow him. I needed to understand what was happening and why it involved my best friend. I chased after him, and soon we found ourselves outside.

Chester stood on the front patio, looking around the yard with a shy frown on his face. He seemed nervous, and I could almost hear his heart racing in his chest. I was also surprised that Nan managed to stay calm in the situation.

—

**Chapter 229**

**+25 Bonus**

She left so quickly. She must have jumped into her car and sped away, leaving no sign of her presence. Chester leaned against the porch railing and sighed, his shoulders drooping slightly.

Just then, the front door swung open and slammed shut behind someone.

I didn’t need to turn around to see who had followed us outside. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Harper, looking very angry. She was glaring at Chester as if he had just slapped her. Harper had her arms crossed tightly, and her expression was fierce.

Her lips were pressed together tightly.

“What the heck, Chester? Who was that woman?” she asked, her brows knitted together as she glared at him. “How could you chase after her and leave me?”

“Do you really think it’s okay to be alone like that?”

“I’m sorry, Harper,” he said quietly. “But it was a mistake to kiss you like that in the kitchen. It shouldn’t have happened. You were right when you said we shouldn’t be involved.”

Chester surprised me when he said, “We should have a relationship while we work together.” This was unexpected because he usually wasn’t the logical type. Chester was more of a flirt and never cared about serious matters like that before. It seemed like Harper was caught off guard too, as her expression changed when she heard him.

Chester’s words took her by surprise. Her mouth dropped open in disbelief.

“W… what are you saying, Chester?” she asked. I could hear the pain in her voice as she struggled to hold back her emotions.

He sighed and ran his fingers through his messy blond hair.

His serious eyes locked onto Harper’s, making her heart race. She took a step back, feeling the weight of his gaze.

“I’m saying that we can’t see each other anymore,” he said firmly.

“I’m sorry… but whatever this is…” he said, pointing between the two of them. “It’s over.”