Chapter 83

Jeremy's intense stare bore into her as Kayla, hands unsteady, reached for the wine bottle and began to pour.

But she was still pregnant. Drinking now could put everything at risk.

She drew in a slow breath, her grip shifting to the wine glass.

Before she could lift it to her lips, Jeremy spoke up."Relax. I was only kidding. Drinking is a men's game anyway."

At that, the group lifted their glasses, exchanged toasts, and drank in one smooth motion.

Relieved, Kayla quietly set her untouched wine glass aside and reached for her juice instead.

As the others carried on their conversation, she politely excused herself and stepped out of the private roomn. Just as she left, her phone buzzed-it was Liam calling.

"Are you done yet? When are y/ou getting here?" His impatience was obvious.

Kayla checked the time, her tone calm but distant. "I'm having dinner with clients tonight. Probably won't make it. Let my grandma sleep early-I'll visit her another day."

Liam's voice snapped like a whip. "Clients? Do you even know what kind of people they are? And you're okay with that?"

Resting her back against the hallway wall, Kayla closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, the fatigue creeping in. "This is work-related. And it doesn't concern you.Stop acting like you still have a say."

"Work? Don't make me laugh. You're just using your body to climb the ladder. Bet you love the way those men stare at you!" Liam lost his temper. The image of her surrounded by men sent his anger soaring, the jealousy eating away at him.

Kayla didn't flinch. "Your mind is twisted."

Liam's teeth clenched as he snapped, "You really think I'll believe there aren't any men with you?"

Too tired to argue, she barked, "Believe whatever helps you sleep. If you're so disgusted, then divorce me.I'm done wasting time."

Without waiting for a reply, she ended the call and powered off her phone, shutting him out completely.

The breeze outside the restroom hit her like a breath of sanity. She leaned against the glass, letting the cool air steady her nerves.

Meanwhile, Jeremy lingered just long enough to exchange a few final words with the group, then slipped out. Another round of waiting awaited him in the private suite next door.

As he passed the men's room, voices from inside caught his ear.

"Mr. Brewer, what led to all this trouble tonight?"Isaac's assistant lifted the stained trousers, his voice carrying a note of worry.

In front of the mirror, Isaac-well into his fifties, with a bloated face and sagging posture-fumbled with his trousers. Though the liquor still lingered in his system,the fog had started to lift.

"It's that woman next to Archie. She forced a drink on me-then dumped it all over me like it was nothing."

The assistant paused, then said cautiously, "I saw a waiter clean up a spill near her seat. Maybe she never drank at all."

"What?" Isaac's face twisted, uglier than before. Fury lit up his eyes. "She played me? That little bitch!She must pay for it. Make sure she's in my room tonight."

The assistant glanced around, voice dropping to a whisper. "But Mr. Newton seems pretty protective. If we go through with this, we might step on the wrong toes."

Isaac scoffed, brushing off the warning, "You think Archie gives a damn about some nobody? She's nothing serious. He won't risk the deal over her." The assistant gave a nod, tone shifting to quiet obedience. "Got it, Mr. Brewer. I'll make it happen."

Upon hearing that, Jeremy turned and walked off without a word, his face giving nothing away.

Back at the table, Kayla kept up appearances,smiling through conversations until she found a moment to excuse herself.

At the elevator, she waited quietly. The doors opened,and there stood Jeremy.

Kayla's heart skipped. Without hesitation, she spun around and stepped into the next elevator over. Of all nights, she had to run into him. The idea of being stuck in a space with Jeremy was the last thing she wanted.

Even Edwin blinked in surprise. "She rushed off like she couldn't stand being near us."

Catching himself,he glanced sideways at Jeremy, who now stood still, his face blank, a shadow settling over his face. Edwin knew better than to say more.

Jeremy raised his face just slightly as he pressedthe button to close the elevator.

But fate wasn't done with them yet. As they stepped out of the hotel, Kayla and Jeremy found themselves arriving at the entrance at the exact same moment.

"Kayla, care to ride with us?" Edwin asked, polite as ever. Kayla shook her head, gesturing toward a waiting cab."No need. I'll take that one. Wouldn't want to trouble you both."

Jeremy's dark eyes met hers,cold and steady.′′Aryou sure you don't want to come with me?"

The question, pointed and direct, only cemented her choice. She stood firm. "I'm sure. Go ahead."

Jeremy gave a soft, bitter laugh and slid into the car without another word.

Kayla watched as his car disappeared into the traffic,then walked toward the taxi. Though she hadn't had a sip, the stench of alcohol clung to her skin. All she wanted was a hot shower and clean clothes.

Meanwhile, Jeremy's black car glided down the road,the city lights flickering past. Resting his head against the glass, he shut his eyes, the words from the restroom conversation looping through his thoughts.

From the front, Edwin checked the rearview mirror and spoke carefully. "Mr. Graham, the taxi she took is heading somewhere that's not her place."

Kayla shook her head, gesturing toward a waiting cab."No need. I'll take that one. Wouldn't want to trouble you both."

Jeremy's dark eyes met hers,cold and steady.′′Aryou sure you don't want to come with me?"

The question, pointed and direct, only cemented her choice. She stood firm. "I'm sure. Go ahead."

Jeremy gave a soft, bitter laugh and slid into the car without another word.

Kayla watched as his car disappeared into the traffic,then walked toward the taxi. Though she hadn't had a sip, the stench of alcohol clung to her skin. All she wanted was a hot shower and clean clothes.

Meanwhile, Jeremy's black car glided down the road,the city lights flickering past. Resting his head against the glass, he shut his eyes, the words from the restroom conversation looping through his thoughts.

From the front, Edwin checked the rearview mirror and spoke carefully. "Mr. Graham, the taxi she took is heading somewhere that's not her place."