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Chapter 82
Justin’s expression darkened as he glanced at his phone, confirming two missed calls from William.
Emily, unable to drink much, focused on nibbling her way through the fruit platter. One of the young men, full of boyish charm, noticed her and picked up the platter. He speared a piece of fruit with a fork and held it up, gesturing to feed her.
Caught off guard by the gesture, Emily hesitated, curiosity flickering in her mind. She had never experienced anything like this before.
“It’s just a piece of fruit, nothing wrong with that,” she thought.
With that, she opened her mouth and bit into the offered fruit.
Meanwhile, Helen was engrossed in chatting with one of the young men, while others serenaded the two women with love songs.
The charming young man poured Emily a glass of light wine. Someone suggested they drink arm–in–arm.
Emily waved her hand in refusal, but the young man looked at her with mock hurt. Holding the glass out to her, he said pitifully, “You wouldn’t turn me down, would you?”
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His expression was so pitiful that Emily couldn’t bring herself to refuse. Half reluctantly, she took the glass, crossing arms with him to take a sip of wine.
“Cheers!” Helen exclaimed, joining in the fun, her voice echoing encouragement.
For the first time, Emily found herself in such a playful and carefree setting, experiencing a strange mix of novelty and intrigue.
When Justin pushed open the door to the private room, the scene inside froze him in place. Had he not arrived at that exact moment, he wouldn’t have witnessed such an interesting sight.
The music was loud, and no one noticed his entrance until he walked around the coffee table to stand directly across from Emily. His dark, piercing gaze locked onto her, watching as the young man offered her a piece of fruit.
Emily felt a shadow cast over her and a chilling stare boring into her. Turning her head, she saw Justin standing there, his expression icy and foreboding.
Oh no! The awkwardness was palpable.
Helen, who had drunk quite a bit, was tipsy and her vision a little blurred. Tilting her head, she saw an unfamiliar yet strikingly handsome man exuding a powerful aura.
Mistaking him for one of the young men she had invited, she patted the spot between herself and Emily, slurring, “Hey, handsome, come sit with us!”
When Justin didn’t move, she grew displeased.
“Don’t play hard to get! The others wanted this spot, but I saved it just for you. Don’t waste your luck!” Helen said, her behavior resembling that of a playful troublemaker.
Emily, seeing that Helen was drunk and noticing Justin’s darkening expression, quickly tugged at her friend to stop her from angering him further.
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Chapter 82
Zac, who had followed Justin out of curiosity to confirm if Emily was indeed in the room, froze when he heard a familiar voice.
The half–open door was pushed wide as Zac stepped in.
Helen, still tipsy, sobered slightly when she recognized him, her expression turning from dazed to stunned. Justin finally spoke, his voice laced with dangerous amusement. “Sure, I’ll come sit.”
Despite his words, his legs didn’t move, his sharp gaze fixed firmly on Emily.
Emily quickly swallowed the fruit she had been eating and Blurted, “W–weren’t you busy? Why are you here?”
Wasn’t he supposed to be with Emma?
Justin’s eyes narrowed. “So I step away for a moment, and you use the chance to run off to a bar to have fun with these men?”
Emily frowned. Men? They were just some harmless young boys. Nothing inappropriate had happened.
Why was he acting like he had caught her in the act?
Besides, her relationship with Justin was purely contractual. He might be able to control her physically, but there was no way he could suppress her curiosity about the world or her longing for freedom.
