Too Late to Love Her: When She Divorced, He Fell Apart-Chapter 75: What’s Wrong with Jade Sutton?

Jade Sutton bit her lip, with a hint of grievance in her eyes, looking at him with a misty expression.

Claire Hale, on the other hand, was much calmer.

She quietly looked into his eyes, just waiting for an answer.

"Lawyer Hale’s friends should be defined by her," Tristan Lockwood said with an indifferent expression, revealing no emotion, "I can’t decide for her."

Claire raised an eyebrow, gently patted Dylan Skinner on the top of his head, and said, "Well said, Dylan."

With this affirmation, Jade’s face changed immediately, and with tears in her eyes, she said, "Claire, do you really not consider me a friend anymore? Last time at the law firm, I thought our relationship had eased."

Claire ignored her, only saying to Dylan, "I don’t really feel like having this meal, let’s go."

Dylan handed her her coat and nodded, "Alright."

The two got up and left together, Claire never giving Jade and Tristan another glance.

Dylan did nod a farewell to Tristan, but he didn’t acknowledge Jade.

Tristan watched their departing figures indifferently, then turned his gaze back and asked Jade, "What did you mean by those words just now?"

Jade’s face turned pale, and with some grievance, she said, "I just feel a bit unwilling. She’s kind to everyone else, but always guarded against me."

As she spoke, tears followed.

"It’s as if she doesn’t care at all about the past. Clearly, it was me who was by her side back then, yet she says it’s easy to sever ties without feelings."

Tristan handed her a few tissues, "It’s normal not to care about childhood matters. You should try to let it go."

Jade looked up at him, unwillingly asking, "Even you are siding with her?"

Tristan: "The doctor mentioned that overthinking and dwelling on the past leads to depression. I hope you can recover soon."

...

The next day, Claire received a reply from Jenson Jennings, saying he could first meet Dylan and assess his capabilities.

Claire immediately arranged for the two to meet.

Jenson was particularly surprised to see her with Dylan, "Claire, this is the first time you’ve introduced someone to me."

Claire smiled briefly, "I don’t know much about your field, so I dare not intervene too much. But Dylan is a top student from Riverbend University; he won’t disappoint you."

Jenson looked at Dylan with an assessing gaze.

When it came to his expertise, Dylan became less reserved.

In no time, he was engaged in conversation with Jenson.

Despite his lack of practical experience, his high intelligence allowed him to offer insightful comments after just a few words from Jenson.

Claire couldn’t quite understand their professional jargon; she soon took her coffee and went outside to get some fresh air.

As soon as she stepped out, her phone rang.

It was Renee Lynn.

"Do you have a minute now? I have something to tell you."

Claire glanced at Jenson and Dylan inside the café and said, "Send me your location, I’ll come find you."

She quickly met up with Renee.

"Your situation with Jared Jennings might not resolve that quickly," Claire said.

Renee smiled indifferently, "I’m already grateful you’re willing to help me. Indeed, it’s not something to rush; if I push Jared too hard, I’m concerned he might not let me see Joyce in the future."

She paused, then added, "I actually didn’t reach out to you today for my own matter."

Claire looked slightly puzzled at her.

Renee: "Yesterday, I saw you having dinner with Jade Sutton at the mall. Are you still in contact with her?"

Claire frowned, curious, "What’s up with Jade?"

Renee hesitated for a moment.

Claire wasn’t in a hurry, just waiting for her.

After a while, Renee said, "Actually, it was only when I saw you with her yesterday that I remembered something, but I didn’t know your current stance on Jade. I feared my words might harm your relationship."

"I don’t really have feelings for her now," Claire remarked, "What is it you wanted to say?"

"Actually, when you were kids, it was Jade who came up with those ideas to bully you."

Renee stopped after saying this, observing Claire’s reaction.

Claire’s expression was calm at first glance, with little fluctuation.

But Renee noticed the emotions surging in her dark eyes, revealing a trace of shock.

"I also stumbled upon this by chance during a conversation between Jade and Xintong Xu. Jade said it was quite boring just isolating you by throwing stationery; you didn’t react much. It would be more interesting if she pretended to defend you when others bullied you to see if you would still be indifferent."

"As she expected, every time she stood up for you, everyone focused on your expression. Seeing you show that touched look and even tear up over her insignificant efforts brought them great amusement."

"She said that because you’re the child of a mistress, born without a moral sense, ordinary bullying wouldn’t teach you a lesson. It was more satisfying to let you taste what it feels like to be mocked."

Renee stopped speaking here, unable to continue because Claire’s eyes had already turned red. That pair of seemingly indifferent eyes were filled with undeniable tears.

No one can endure the pain of having their sincerity mocked.

Especially when the one doing it is the person you always believed to be your only friend.

...

After saying goodbye to Renee, Claire’s mind kept replaying images of her childhood, of Jade standing up for her.

She still remembers one time when a boy splashed her with water, and Jade took most of it for her, her own body soaking wet, yet she smiled and comforted her, saying, "As long as you’re okay."

At that time, her first thought was a vow to ensure Jade was well for the rest of her life, even unto death.

Jade was right about one thing. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Claire’s emotions were very detached.

When those others bullied her, besides thoughts of death, she never really felt sadness or pain.

Only when Jade protected her did she think she would never let such a good friend down.

That’s why, when Jade suddenly cut off contact, Claire was left brooding over it.

Unable to accept the fact of being abandoned by her best friend.

Until Jade reappeared.

Even when threatened by Sean Lockwood, watching Tristan Lockwood stand by Jade’s side time after time.

In her heart, she maintained a lingering, unrealistic hope.

Hoping that Jade was still the girl from her childhood who protected her.

But now, reality tells her it was all a lie.

She was never protected by anyone.

The so-called protection was merely an elaborate lie to mock her.

Joy Sharp arrived early at the firm’s building and saw Claire’s car lights on.

She walked over and saw through the car window glass that Claire was leaning over the steering wheel, her face obscured.