"I… I don't want to be alone."
Emily Zhang looked away from the two unfamiliar faces in the room, her expression uneasy. There was a flash of fear in her eyes, as if being around strangers made her anxious.
"Hey, it's okay. I'll take you back to your room, alright?" Mason Fang gently stroked her hair. "As soon as the banquet's over, I'll be back."
He turned to Ethan. "I'll get you an answer by tomorrow."
With that, Mason walked out with Emily leaning quietly against him. Ava watched them leave, but noticed Ethan didn't move. She stood awkwardly, unsure of what to do next.
"Mr. Sterling… should we go back to the banquet?" she asked tentatively.
"Yeah."
Ava regretted speaking the moment they stepped back into the banquet hall. She probably should've kept him in that quiet room longer. Because now, Ethan Sterling had become the center of attention, surrounded by business figures, executives, and guests eager to raise a glass with him.
At first, Ethan humored them, sipping here and there. But Ava quickly noticed the warning look he shot her after just a few drinks.
He wasn't enjoying any of this.
She stepped in immediately.
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Sterling has a critical meeting tomorrow morning. Would you mind if I take the drink on his behalf?"
"Oh, my mistake—this one's for Mr. Sterling!"
"I look forward to working with you someday."
And so it continued. Ava took every glass handed toward Ethan with quiet determination, shielding him from the endless toasts.
Ethan watched her silently. She didn't try to flatter anyone. Didn't flirt. Didn't find clever ways to get out of it. Just took the drinks, one after another—like an idiot.
A few drinks in, Ava started to feel it. Her body grew warm. Her cheeks flushed deep red. She knew she was pushing it. She wasn't used to alcohol, and this was way past her limit.
She had to get out.
Suddenly, she "accidentally" bumped into one of the guests and spilled a full glass of wine across her arm.
"Oh no! I'm so sorry! That was clumsy of me," she said with wide eyes.
Ethan raised an eyebrow. He'd seen her yank the guest's elbow on purpose.
"I'm really sorry," she said quickly. "But Mr. Sterling has an urgent call he needs to take, so we're going to step out now—thanks again, everyone!"
Without waiting for approval, she grabbed Ethan's wrist and pulled him through the crowd and out the front doors of the Luzern Hotel. She didn't even notice the wine stains on her blouse—or care.
Just as they exited, Mason reappeared near the lobby entrance. He watched the two disappear into the night, his expression unreadable. Then, with a casual smile, he turned back to his group of guests and melted into the crowd.
Outside, Ava suddenly realized she was still holding Ethan's hand.
Blood rushed to her face, but luckily, the alcohol made it harder to feel the embarrassment. She dropped his hand like it was on fire.
To Ethan, it felt like being tossed aside.
His jaw tightened, eyes darkening.
"I-I'm sorry, Mr. Sterling. I didn't mean to—" Ava stammered, trying to read his face. He looked irritated—deeply, seriously irritated—and it made her stomach twist with guilt.
She wobbled slightly, then staggered back a few steps. The lights from a passing car flashed in her face, and before she could react, she stumbled into a firm chest.
She froze.
"Get in the car," Ethan said coldly above her.
She blinked, then quickly let go of his suit jacket and hurried into the passenger seat of the black Maserati. Ethan slid into the back.
As the car pulled away, Ava leaned against the window, closing her eyes. Her head throbbed with each beat of her heart. It felt like it might explode. She rubbed her temples gently, trying to relieve the pressure.
From the backseat, Ethan watched her. Her breathing slowed, and her hands dropped limply into her lap.
She had fallen asleep.
He frowned. He hadn't expected her to get so drunk. Holding his hand at the hotel like it meant something, then throwing it away the next second—it was irritating.
Was she really just naive? Or was this some kind of act?
"Sir…" The driver, Jason , spoke hesitantly. "I don't know where she lives."
"Take us to my place," Ethan replied after a beat.
When they arrived at his penthouse, Ethan carried Ava inside. She stirred slightly in his arms and mumbled, "Mm… don't touch… it hurts…"
Her voice was soft, nearly inaudible. Ethan paused for a moment, looking down at her flushed face.
Then he kept walking.