Asher bgave /bba /bsmallugh. “Judging by that reaction, I’m guessing you haven’t won her over.”

    bScott’s /bbface /bstayed unreadable as heid down his card. “When are you and Ali nning to patch things up?”

    The smile froze instantly on Asher’s face.

    “Of all the things to bring up, you had to pick that one,” he inuttered, his tone suddenly t.

    Scott’s smile was wless. “I learned from the best.

    ”

    Alicia had once been an intern under Asher and was also lis

    -girlfriend.

    d dated for a little over six months.

    After earning herw license, Alicia joined another firm. Both of them were always busy, rarely finding time for dates. The less time they spent together, the more the rtionship faded.

    It was Alicia who had ended things, while Asher was the

    who couldn

    He had been trying to win her back ever since, but it had all been in vain

    Scott’s question was enough to shut him up.

    Jenny and Sophie were karaoke fanatics, and both of them could actually sing. From the moment they sat downb, /bthey hadn’t

    stopped.

    Charlotte stayed for a while, then got up to use the restroom inside the suite.

    The suite had separate men’s and women’s restrooms, but the women’s

    Was

    upied.

    She had no choice but to step out into the hallway to use thedies room outside.

    After finishing, Charlotte rounded a corner–only to be yanked aside without warning.

    A wave of alcohol hit her.

    She frowned in disgust and looked up to see Zac, his face flushed, eyes ssy and unfocused.

    Charlotte pulled her hand free and red coldly at him. “Moveb./b”

    “Charlotte, have you been doing okaytely?” His gaze on her was almost obsessive.

    “I’ve been doing just fine without you bothering me,” she said, her voice sharp.

    At that, his lips curved into a bitter smile. “Yeah… you’re doing great without me.”

    He was standing in her wayb, /bblocking the hall. Charlotte’s face hardened, and she shoved him aside, ready to leave.

    But Zac suddenly grabbed her wrist. “Lottie, don’t go. Can’t you just talk to me for a minute? I’ve missed you so much these past

    weeks.”

    Charlotte lowered her gaze to where his hand gripped her. “Let go.

    “No.”

    Not only did Zac refuse, but his grip tightened. He even leaned in, trying to kiss her.

    Charlotte turned her head away and, without hesitation, pped him hard across the face.

    The sharp crack echoed, leaving a red mark blooming on his cheek

    b“/bZac Gibson, don’t disgust me.”

    ?

    bThe /bbp /bbseemed /bbto /bbsober /bhim slightly, but he still wouldn’t let go of her wrist.

    Charlotte didn’t waste another word. She angled her other hand into a sharp strike to the bone of his forearmb. /b

    She didn’t hold back. Pain shot through him, draining the color from his face, and his reflex was to let go.

    Charlotte shoved him aside.

    20

    He bwas /balready unsteady from the alcohol, and her push made him stumble, nearly falling to the floor.

    Without a nce back, she walked past him.

    “Lottie…” Zac’s voice was pained as he called after her.

    Her pace never slowed. She didn’t turn around once.

    Back in the suite, Jenny leaned over. “Charlotte, why do you look so upset?”

    “Just ran into a creep.”

    Jenny’s eyes went wide. “What creep? What happened?”