Chapter 34 Hurt?

Whitney froze, then asked, "Why aren't you with Mrs. Howard?" "She already left," Noel replied. It wasn't appropriate for Beckham to come in this setting, and Madelyn was never going to stay long either. Noel stayed behind since it wouldn't be polite for both him and his mother to leave at once. Clearing her throat, Whitney tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Why did you give me—" "Noel, Whitney, you're here?" Damian's voice interrupted from behind them, cutting her off mid-sentence. "Yvette asked me to help her get the cake," Whitney blurted, feeling an odd pang of guilt as if she needed to prevent any misunderstanding. Noel's expression remained impassive. "Thomas had a little too much to drink. I'll go check on him." Just as he turned to leave, Damian called out again, "Noel, everyone says Corlons Boutique has the best tailoring. What do you think of Whitney in that sheath gown?" Whitney's back stiffened. Was Damian really asking Noel to comment on her looks? What was h