CHAPTER 38: CHAPTER 38: DRINKING ALONE

After Leah Lane left, Crystal Dawson, Tiana O’Connell, and I chatted together until half an hour later, when Connor Hawthorne appeared with his parents.

Connor, knowing how close we are with Leah, brought his parents over to greet us, "Zoe, Crystal, Tiana, you’re here."

"Of course we came. Yara’s engagement is a big deal," Crystal Dawson replied.

My attention was on Connor’s parents. Mr. Hawthorne was fine, with a smile on his face, but Mrs. Hawthorne had a long face, seemingly unhappy.

How could someone put on such a face on a happy day like this?

Leah soon arrived with her parents and walked over.

"Uncle, Auntie," Connor quickly called out and smiled at Leah, who also broke into a smile.

Crystal, Tiana, and I also greeted them. We’re quite familiar with Leah’s parents, so there isn’t much distance, but it’s our first time meeting Connor’s parents. Leah’s probably only met them a second or third time. I’ve heard they’ve always stayed in their hometown, which is quite far.

After exchanging greetings, Leah and Connor took their parents to chat. I sighed, "Why do I feel like Yara’s future mother-in-law is hard to get along with?"

"She looks sharp and mean. She’ll regret this in the future," Crystal Dawson said, having always disagreed with Leah marrying now. Connor’s career hasn’t taken off, and even the wedding’s level had to be lowered. What’s the point?

Tiana quietly reminded, "This is Yara’s engagement banquet, let’s say something nice."

Crystal and I exchanged glances, both feeling helpless.

Marriages where families are incompatible are likely to have problems.

At noon, the banquet began. Crystal, Tiana, and I enjoyed our meal, while Henry Preston’s group sat at another table and didn’t come over, but I didn’t mind.

After the engagement banquet ended, Tiana hurried back to the company to be a model employee. Crystal got a call from her family, urging her to come back for something, and I was pulled into conversation by others for a while, said goodbye to Leah, and then left.

Before leaving, I went to the restroom, and as I walked out, I saw Henry’s figure in the hallway not far away, with Azure Vaughn standing beside him in her Apex Hotel uniform.

"If you need money, just tell me. This job doesn’t suit you," Henry said to Azure, his voice a bit vague.

I tried hard to focus on listening.

"Mr. Preston, I’ve already turned you down. We’re from different worlds and not compatible. Besides, I have a boyfriend. Please don’t appear in front of me like this again," Azure’s voice was as clear and melodic as ever.

"I’ve told you, there’s nothing I want that I can’t get," Henry’s tone suddenly deepened. "I’ve given you many chances, don’t continue testing my patience."

I shook my head; his personality could scare a young girl.

Sure enough, with a sobbing voice, Azure asked, "Then what do you want? I know I can’t provoke you, but I can avoid you!"

"Naive, where do you think you can hide?" Henry laughed, probably finding Azure’s naive words amusing, adding some fun to his life.

Azure seemed to want to say something more, but Henry had already delivered the final ultimatum, "I’ll give you a week. Break up with him, or face the consequences."

With that, Henry left.

Azure stood helplessly in place, her shoulders shaking as if she were crying. I didn’t comfort her but left from the other side.

Downstairs, Henry was already in the car waiting for me. I got into the car, maintaining a normal expression, "Let’s go home."

The calm façade was actually rippling with waves of emotion. I realized I hadn’t truly attained peace and clarity. In my previous life, I only witnessed Henry’s mad love for Azure but hadn’t seen the details between them. Now, I’ve seen some of it.

I must admit, I was still jealous, a familiar feeling of jealousy subtly stirring within me.

"Pull over, I have something to do and won’t be going back," I suddenly said.

"Where are you going?" Henry asked.

"We shouldn’t meddle in each other’s personal affairs," I replied coldly as I unbuckled my seatbelt.

Henry glanced at me, his eyes icy, then pulled over, "Get out."

I immediately got out of the car without looking back, walking onto the sidewalk. Henry’s car sped past without any hesitation.

If it were Azure getting out of the car in a huff, he wouldn’t have left, right? No, he wouldn’t even let Azure leave the car.

I patted my head, wondering what I was thinking, why I was still comparing myself to Azure. In Henry’s mind, she and I were not on the same level.

Flagging down a taxi casually, I said wearily, "Take me to the nearest bar."

Ten minutes later, I arrived at a bar where it was quite empty in the afternoon. I found a spot and ordered a few bottles of alcohol, sorrowfully drinking alone.

I suddenly remembered the handsome guy Crystal previously introduced to me. I had refused to give him my contact info. Now, I really needed someone to drink with me, so I prepared to ask Crystal for the guy’s number.

"Miss Hathaway?" Just as I picked up my phone, Joel Sutton appeared in front of me wearing a bartender’s uniform.

"Sutton?" I was surprised too, "You’re working part-time here?"

Joel Sutton nodded with a smile, "Yeah, school’s on break."

I thought for a moment, oh, the holidays are here. A person like me, who neither goes to work nor school, didn’t notice at all.

No wonder Azure was also working temporarily at the Apex Hotel, turns out both husband and wife were working odd jobs.

To be honest, Joel Sutton looked quite dashing in that black and white vest and shirt, the student-ness faded a bit, adding a more manly touch, though his eyes remained clear.

"Not busy, right? Sit and have a drink with me," I pointed to a seat beside me.

"It’s fine now, bars usually get busy in the evening," Joel Sutton sat down next to me, glanced at the alcohol on the table, and asked, "Miss Hathaway, are you in a bad mood? Why are you drinking alone?"

I poured a drink for Joel Sutton, letting out a bitter laugh, "Yeah, in a bad mood, I’m about to divorce my husband."

Joel Sutton asked in surprise, "Why?"

I looked at him, acting all mysterious, "Take a guess."

Joel Sutton said nothing, probably afraid of guessing right and inadvertently hurting me. Seeing his slightly troubled expression, my mood improved a bit. Such a cute young man, much better than Henry.

"He’s fallen for someone else. I’ll probably get a large sum of money and become a divorced woman." I took a sip of my drink, smiling as I shared this somewhat pitiful fact.

"Miss Hathaway, you’re so wonderful. How could he fall for someone else..." Joel Sutton seemed unable to comprehend.

I sighed, "Some people like expensive seafood, and some like simple country dishes. It’s normal."

Joel Sutton tried to comfort me again, "Miss Hathaway, he’ll definitely regret it. Eventually, he’ll realize you’re the best."

I burst out laughing. I wanted to tell Joel Sutton that the person Henry loved was his girlfriend, and he wouldn’t regret it. Instead, his love would only grow with intensity, their love was indeed fervent.

"Who knows, maybe," I raised my glass, "Let’s not talk about depressing stuff, let’s drink."