Jessica rose gracefully from the sofa, her movements fluid and deliberate. “Alright, we’ve had our amusement. We’ll leave you to… recover.” Her tone carried a subtle edge of finality, though her lips curved in a faint, mischievous smile. She turned to Bethany, a playful spark lighting her eyes. “Shall we?”
“Let’s go!” Bethany replied with an enthusiastic grin, hopping up to follow Jessica toward the door. Their departure exuded an air of quiet triumph, their steps light and confident—they had already secured their victory.
As the door clicked shut behind them, Emily approached Ryan with a concerned expression, holding out a glass of water. “Ryan, are you feeling any better now?” she asked softly, her voice laced with genuine care.
Ryan accepted the glass with trembling hands, the cool water a welcome reprieve after the turmoil he’d endured. Having retched for what felt like ages, his stomach had finally settled, though the aftereffects lingered. His face was a portrait of defeat, streaked with tears and traces of snot, a stark contrast to his usual composed demeanor. His anger, however, was unmistakable, simmering just beneath the surface.
He clenched his fists, the memory of his humiliation at Jessica’s hands replaying in his mind like a cruel joke. He had intended to teach her a lesson, but instead, she had turned the tables on him, leaving him utterly disgraced. Was this some twisted form of karma? Or had his own arrogance been his undoing?
Ethan sat nearby, his expression calm yet unreadable. A faint glimmer of amusement flickered in his eyes, betraying his inner thoughts. To him, the whole ordeal had been unexpectedly entertaining.
“Ryan,” someone spoke up, their tone serious. “You might want to stay away from Jessica from now on. There’s something… unusual about her.”
“Exactly,” another person chimed in, nodding. “I’m even starting to think she let you win earlier on purpose.”
Ryan scowled, his irritation boiling over. He snatched a tissue and wiped his face before shooting a withering glare at them. “Stop making such a big deal out of this! It was just a bottle of whiskey. No big deal. Next time, I’ll make sure she regrets this.”
His bold declaration hung in the air, but it did little to ease the tension. The others exchanged cautious glances, sensing the volatile edge to his mood. They chose silence over further provoking him.
Meanwhile, Emily’s phone buzzed with a message, drawing her attention. She glanced at the screen, her fingers tightening instinctively when she saw the sender’s number.
“Not coming?” The message was short but chillingly direct.
Her expression shifted in an instant, a flicker of unease crossing her face. Steeling herself, she quickly typed a response: Who is this? I don’t know you. Why should I come to see you?
The reply came almost immediately. Are you sure you won’t come, Emily? Do you think you can handle the consequences?
Emily’s heart pounded, and the color drained from her face. Her hands trembled slightly as she stared at the screen. The weight of inevitability settled on her shoulders. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she typed, Fine. Just wait—I’ll come and see who you really are.
Slipping her phone back into her pocket, she turned to Ethan and Johnson. “Ethan, Johnson, I need to handle something. Please make sure Ryan gets home safely.”
“Of course,” Johnson replied, his calm voice reassuring.
Without another word, Emily stood and exited the room, her strides purposeful but laced with tension. Outside, the cold night air stung her cheeks, but she barely noticed as she headed toward her car.
Back at the Clark family estate, Jessica and Bethany didn’t linger long before also departing. The effects of the evening’s whiskey began to take their toll on Jessica, her stomach churning in protest. Once home, she headed straight for the kitchen, intent on making herself a soothing cup of honey water.
Before she could reach her destination, however, she nearly collided with Enzo, who emerged from the hallway. His presence immediately darkened her mood.
“Jessica, you’re back?” Enzo’s voice was tinged with casual curiosity as he raised an eyebrow.
Without sparing him a glance, Jessica pressed on toward the kitchen, her expression frosty. But Enzo, undeterred, followed closely behind.
“You’ve been drinking tonight, haven’t you?” he said smoothly. “Looking for honey water to settle your stomach? Let me help you with that.”
Jessica stopped abruptly, spinning around to meet his gaze with an icy glare. “No need. Just stay away from me.”
Her tone was sharp and final, leaving no room for argument. She resumed her path to the kitchen, her steps firm.
Enzo leaned casually against the doorframe, a teasing grin playing on his lips. “Oh, come on, Jessica. No need to be so cold toward me.”
Jessica ignored him, focusing entirely on preparing her drink. The clinking of utensils filled the silence as she worked.
Enzo, however, wasn’t ready to give up. “Look, my father and Ethan might have their issues, but that has nothing to do with us,” he said earnestly. “I’m not like him, and there’s no reason for you to treat me like the enemy.”
His tone softened, and a genuine smile replaced his usual smirk. “In fact, I’d really like to be friends with you, Jessica.”
Jessica’s hands faltered for a fraction of a second as she poured the honey, her mind momentarily unsettled. She quickly regained her composure, determined to maintain her guard.