Chapter 164 
Was she reacting this way just because Claude had seen the marks? 

“Do you care about him that much? Are you afraid that he’ll be upset when he sees them?” Xavier’s voice 
was bitter. 
Yvette didn’t answer. 
He didn’t understand why she was crying. In the past, Xavier had never cared if Yvette cried. However, seeing her cry now left him feeling helpless. 
“Stop crying,” he said in a deep voice before gently kissing Yvette’s forehead, nose, and cheeks. 
Yvette’s gaze trembled. She tried to push him away, but she couldn’t. At that moment, there was a knock on the door. 
“Ms. Snyder, I have your clothes with me,” the waitress informed from outside. 
Xavier immediately stopped and leaned close to Yvette’s ear, his breathing heavy. 
Yvette quickly wiped her tears and glared at him. 
Xavier then moved away, allowing her to open the door and get the clothes. 
After Yvette cracked the door open, she took the clothes and calmed down. “Mr. Lane, please leave. I need to change.” 
Fearing she would cry again, Xavier stepped out of the bathroom. He stood outside, lit a cigarette, and tried to quell the turmoil in his heart. 
Why did Yvette’s tears affect him so much? 
The waitress had bought a summer top. Even though she tried to cover the marks on her neck with her hair, they were still visible. 
She stared blankly at herself in the mirror for a long time before finally stepping out. 
Xavier was still there. Seeing her, he stubbed out his cigarette. “Where are you going?” 
“You already know, don’t you? I’m joining Claude for lunch,” Yvette replied. 
If Xavier hadn’t been monitoring Yvette, he probably wouldn’t let her go now. Perhaps, it was out of guilt, but he didn’t stop her. 
After composing herself, Yvette returned to the dining area and saw that Claude had placed a jacket on her chair. 
“You get cold easily. I asked the waiter to buy a jacket for you,” he said. 
“Thank you,” Yvette replied as she put on the jacket. 
Claude didn’t mention the marks on her neck throughout the meal. He continued to care for her, serving her food while she ate her meal somewhat absent–mindedly. 
“Yvvy, you must tell me if there’s anything bothering you. Don’t keep it to yourself,” Claude uttered. 
“Okay.” 
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Claude knew she was just saying that and wouldn’t seek his help. 
After dinner, he drove Yvette back to Lane Group. He returned to his car after watching her leave. 
Just then, he got a call. It was his best friend, Yerick Herrera. “How did it go? Did you tell her how you feel? 
Claude looked out the car window. “No.” 
“Why not? That’s not like you.” 
Claude was usually decisive and quick. “I feel like she doesn’t like me that way. I’m afraid we won’t even be friends if I confess my feelings for her.” 
Yerick chuckled on the phone. “Is there anyone who can resist your charms?” 
“It is what it is. She likes someone else.” Claude unconsciously balled his fists when he thought about the 
marks on Yvette’s neck. 
“And who’s this person she’s into?” Yerick asked. 
He didn’t know Yvette was the one Claude liked; he had only heard that Claude had feelings for a woman and had abruptly returned to Tirion for her sake in spite of the danger. 
“It’s Xavier,” Claude replied. 
There was no way Yerick, who was also from high society, didn’t know Xavier. 
He couldn’t help but cuss before asking, “You’re trying to take his woman?” 
Yerick immediately thought of Daphne. What was so good about a woman who flitted from one high- status man to another? 
Claude tightened his grip on his phone and asked Yerick in return, “Can’t I?” 
Yerick started to get anxious. “Daphne isn’t as simple as she seems. You can tell she’s trouble just by looking at her. It’s not worth it for you to offend Xavier over her.” 
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