Healy couldn't refute Noreen's accusation.
Years ago, after Seth had donated bone marrow for Rosalind, Noreen had sought Seth out to thank him.
Healy and Jude had been there, so they knew Noreen had offered herself to Seth.
They also knew that Seth had rejected her.
Growing up, their circle had seen countless women use any means necessary to climb the social ladder, so they automatically categorized Noreen as another social climber.
They had mocked her endlessly behind her back.
Later, Seth was drugged by someone else.
When Noreen heard, she rushed over immediately, intending to take him to the hospital. But the perpetrator had called the press.
Forced, Noreen had to stay at the hotel. She called both Jude and Healy for help, hoping they could find a way to discreetly get Seth out of there.
They did come.
But by the time they arrived, it was the next morning.
Noreen and Seth had already crossed a line.
Seth was still groggy from the drug's effects.
Noreen asked Jude and Healy to take Seth to the hospital for a check-up, telling them he had been drugged.
She herself, enduring the pain, rushed back to school.
Because of this, they both assumed Noreen was the one who had drugged him, and they looked down on her for it.
Healy wanted to apologize, but his throat felt like it was stuffed with cotton, tight and heavy.
It was too late.
Noreen didn't need it anymore.
He recognized this reality, and all that was left was regret.
Watching her walk away coldly, Healy's face burned.
It felt as if Noreen's slap had landed on his own cheek.
The incident had completely ruined Noreen's mood for the wedding.
Crystal's smile was on the verge of cracking. "I saw how busy she is. I was afraid she wouldn't have the time."
"That's right. She does have things to do, which is why she's leaving early. Is there a problem?" Wilbur said with a look of utter confusion.
Crystal was speechless.
Finally, Dylan stepped in to save her. "Work is important."
Crystal's expression relaxed. "Alright then. We can get together some other time. I'll be living in Rivercrest City with Dylan from now on, so we'll have plenty of opportunities to meet."
After saying their goodbyes, Noreen and Wilbur left.
Crystal watched them go, then turned to Dylan with an innocent look. "Did I do something wrong? Is that why Noreen left early?"
Dylan's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. After a pause, he advised her, "You should spend less time with those friends of yours in the future."
Crystal's expression froze for a moment before she smiled again. "Okay, I'll listen to you."
…
Noreen went home early, her mood soured. But her spirits lifted the moment she saw Claire.

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