Chapter 190Elodie’s pointed question left Jamie momentarily speechless, her confident demeanor faltering as she struggled to find a fitting response.

Jamie had always viewed Elodie as simple—someone who, once shown kindness, would repay it tenfold with unwavering loyalty. But Elodie’s words carried weight. When Jamie first met her abroad, Elodie’s background was unknown—an orphan navigating a foreign world, alone, awkward, and visibly out of place. She was an easy target for sympathy, and Jamie had stepped into the role of protector effortlessly.

Elodie had been fragile, a girl who needed a friend. Jamie had found satisfaction in being the dependable one, enjoying Elodie’s admiration. But now, things were different. Jamie’s pedestal had crumbled the moment Elodie returned to Craggaville and reconnected with her family’s affluence. That sense of control, of being irreplaceable, was gone.

Feigning hurt, Jamie finally spoke. “Is that how you see me? I thought we were friends, but now you’re questioning my intentions? You’ve barely known Norah, yet you trust her implicitly. Have you even considered how that makes me feel?”

Elodie’s eyes didn’t waver. “Did you know I was in danger yesterday? Norah stepped in to help me when I needed it most.”

Jamie froze, caught off guard by the revelation. She quickly masked her reaction with concern. “You were in danger? Let me see if you’re hurt!”

But Elodie was no longer moved by Jamie’s pretense. Her voice remained steady. “I want to rest. If you have nothing else, I’ll see you out.”