Chapter 103
+25 BONUS
As Justin accepted every drink offered, he finally managed to drink himself into a stupor. After dealing with yet another wave of guests, his expression relaxed, and his gaze grew unfocused.
“Justin, you’re drunk. Let me help you upstairs to rest,” Emma said softly, her voice gentle as she leaned close to his ear.
Her breath carried a faint sweetness, and her lips lightly brushed against the skin near his ear. Justin felt an irritating tickle and instinctively frowned, trying to move away. But with his drunken state, he stumbled, nearly losing his balance.
Emma quickly caught him, steadying his swaying body. “Justin, be careful. Let me help you,” she urged gently as she guided him toward the elevator.
They ascended to the upper floors of the Mandale Hotel, a property owned by Justin’s family, Due to Heidi’s birthday celebration, the entire hotel had been closed to the public for the evening. Many guests who had too much to drink had already retired to rooms upstairs.
Emma had secured a room key earlier, anticipating the need for Justin to rest. Supporting his drunken form, she struggled to maneuver him out of the elevator once the doors opened.
Just as she stepped into the hallway, a hand shot out and yanked Justin away from her grasp.
“Zac?” Emma gasped, her brows knitting together in surprise.
She stepped forward, trying to reclaim Justin. “Give him back to me!” she demanded, her voice sharp, her gaze cold.
Zac grabbed the drunken Justin, pulling him two steps back with a grin. “Justin’s too drunk to manage on his own. Let me help him rest. You’re too petite for this. Don’t strain yourself,” he teased.
Without waiting for a response, Zac began guiding Justin toward the room he had just booked. Coincidentally, both room keys were for the same floor.
Emma stood frozen for a moment, glaring daggers at Zac’s retreating back. With a frustrated stomp, she trailed after them.
Zac maneuvered Justin onto the bed, rolling his shoulders to loosen up. “Man, he’s heavier than he looks,” he muttered, amused. He couldn’t help but wonder how Emma had even managed to get Justin into the elevator in the first place.
Zac glanced back, smirking to himself. He had easily seen through Emma’s intentions. She wasn’t just helping Justin rest, she was hoping to take advantage of the situation.
“Nope, not on my watch,” Zac thought smugly. He wouldn’t let Emma succeed. If Justin was ever going to sleep with her, it would only be when he was sober and fully willing.
After settling Justin in, Zac picked up the room key and locked the door behind him.
“Not too late, Emma. Why don’t you book yourself a room and call it a night?” he suggested smugly.
Feeling quite accomplished, Zac headed downstairs to reserve his own room near Justin’s. By the time he returned, the hallway was empty. Emma was nowhere to be seen.
Satisfied, he took a shower, messaged Helen to check in, and then drifted into a peaceful sleep.
Chapter 103
+25 BONUS
Meanwhile, Emma stood by Justin’s door, her expression dark and contemplative. After memorizing the room number, she made her way down to the front desk.
“Hi, my boyfriend is in room 2016, but the key card got locked inside. I don’t want to wake him up. Could I get a spare card?” she asked sweetly.
The receptionist recognized Emma immediately. Earlier, she had seen her assisting a tipsy man who was none other than the company’s CEO.
Office gossip about the CEO’s rumored relationships had circulated plenty–everything from online tabloid scandals to the evening’s event where Emma accompanied him as his date.
If she wasn’t the CEO’s girlfriend now, she would likely be the future Mrs. Yates.
The receptionist, eager to please someone potentially so powerful, smiled brightly and handed over the spare card.
“Here’s the key to 2016. Please let us know if there’s anything else we can do for you.”
Emma accepted the card with a polite smile. “Thank you.”
