Trading My Ex for His Uncle



Was Michelle trying to stir the pot?

Before Valarie could respond, Brandon looked up at Michelle, his tone slightly cold. "None of you are my girlfriend, so why would I treat you the same?"

Michelle's smile froze, and an awkward silence settled over the room.

Jayden's grin faded as he said, "Brandon, Michelle was just trying to be friendly. Was it necessary to be so harsh?"noveldrama

"I was simply stating facts. If she finds that harsh, perhaps the issue lies with her," Brandon replied calmly.

Jayden frowned, ready to retort, but Yale cut in before he could, "Alright, that's enough. Let's not ruin the mood. Today is about Brandon introducing his girlfriend to us—they're the main event."

Jayden still looked upset but decided to hold his tongue.

Michelle, on the verge of tears, glanced at Brandon with a pitiful expression. "I'm sorry, Brandon. I didn't mean to upset you and Valarie. Maybe I should leave so I don't ruin the atmosphere."

She reached for her bag and moved as if to leave.

Jayden immediately stopped her, his voice cold. "Michelle, we're all friends here. If you leave, does that mean the rest of us should leave too?"

Michelle shook her head. "No, this is my fault. I shouldn't make things awkward for Brandon and Valarie."

Valarie narrowed her eyes slightly. From the moment she'd entered, she'd felt irritated by Michelle's lingering gaze.

Raising an eyebrow, Valarie smiled faintly at Michelle. "Ms. Snowden, there's no need to leave. If you think you might say something inappropriate, the simplest solution is to stay quiet. No one here will mind if you don't speak."

Michelle's expression froze, her

carefully constructed pitiful act slipping. Valarie's tone was neutral,

almost sincere, as though she were genuinely offering helpful advice.

Jayden's gaze softened with sympathy as he watched Michelle's discomfort, and his dissatisfaction with Valarie deepened.

The once-harmonious group now felt fractured-and it was all because of her.

Jayden turned to Brandon, expecting him to step in. Yet, Brandon remained indifferent, as though the situation had nothing to do with him.

"Brandon, if Michelle can't stay, then neither can I. There's no point in us sitting here and enduring this," Jayden said, rising to leave with Michelle.

Valarie, initially inclined to smooth

things over, decided she'd had enough. If they weren't going to respect her position as Brandon's girlfriend, why should she bother?

She glanced at Jayden. "Mr. Gilmour, is Ms. Snowden your girlfriend? You seem awfully protective."

Jayden's face darkened. "Don't be ridiculous. We're just childhood friends."

Everyone knew Jayden was currently pursuing a university student.

Valarie nodded, her voice calm. "Oh, I see. It's just that when Ms. Snowden wanted to leave, and you immediately followed, it seemed like you two were a couple. I must have misunderstood."

Her gaze flicked between the two of them, her expression inscrutable.

Jayden's face flushed with anger. He snapped, "Ms. Weir, we're just friends. Don't tarnish our relationship with baseless assumptions!"

Four men and one woman claiming pure friendship? Who were they trying to fool?

From the moment Valarie met Michelle, she had pegged her as manipulative. Clearly, the others were too blind to see it.