CHAPTER 61: CHAPTER 61: BEING APPROACHED

After dinner, The Siren Crystal Dawson wasn’t satisfied and as usual, dragged Leah Lane, Tiana O’Connell, and me to hit the bars. She declared that if she never married, nightclubs would be her second home.

"Ha, it’s just men, right? Take a look, aren’t there all kinds here?" She shook a glass of wine, raising her chin to show us the variety of men coming and going in the bar.

If only I had the same disregard for men as Crystal Dawson, I wouldn’t have had insomnia and nightmares last night.

I dreamed of the day I married Henry Preston, except my face was swapped with Zoe, Henry turned into a gentle soul, gazing at ’me’ with eyes that could drown someone.

If that’s not a nightmare, what is? Just thinking about it makes me uncomfortable all over.

"Zoe, that dance you did at the bar last time was so alluring. Care to spice things up again today?" Leah Lane suddenly laughed mischievously.

"Right, and was it not Henry Preston who took you away afterward?" Crystal Dawson’s eyes sparkled, "Men are just roguish; home flowers don’t smell as nice as wild ones, but once home flowers turn wild, they’re no longer pleased."

Tiana O’Connell focused on something else, "Wasn’t that girl that Henry Preston was chasing a college student? I must say, she looks so pure. Isn’t that dominated by the pure desire style? I’d say she’s exactly that type."

After leaving with Henry Preston that day, there were still a bunch of friends left in the bar, and Zoe; I had no idea what happened afterward, just that Zoe called and texted Henry Preston.

"Pure desire, my ass!" Crystal Dawson’s face was full of disdain, "What good is bad character? Entangled with a married man without drawing a line, and then coming to the bar to drink, she’s clearly a green tea."

"Don’t say it like that," I took a sip of wine, laughed bitterly, and said, "Don’t you know what kind of person Henry Preston is? A college girl from a normal household like Zoe can’t resist his five-finger mountain of power."

Crystal Dawson put down her glass, held my face in her hands, eyes wide open, "Zoe, how can you speak for a homewrecker? Whether she’s forced or proactive, it’s just immoral!"

Tiana O’Connell added, "Yes, we must be lenient with ourselves and strict with others!"

The two made me laugh. They didn’t know my current state of mind; I didn’t want to obsess over things destined to happen, fighting for a reversal would only give me breast cancer, and I’d die young successfully.

As we drank and chatted, a familiar voice came from behind, "What would you like to drink? It’s on me."

We all turned around to look, and there was Silas Lockwood, dressed like a butterfly, leaning on the bar, intentionally using his bass voice to flirt with women.

"Then drink with me!" The woman was obviously a pro at hooking up men, her voice sickly sweet.

"If you get drunk, I’m not responsible!" Silas Lockwood hadn’t noticed us yet, focused on picking up women.

"If I get drunk... just find a place for me to sleep, okay?" The woman laughed somewhat promiscuously.

Just as their eyes were entangling, ready to drink and have fun, Crystal Dawson’s evil side emerged, and she suddenly shouted, "Silas Lockwood! Did you just come out to play after treating your impotence at the hospital? Didn’t the doctor tell you to abstain for three months?!"

The shout nearly made Silas Lockwood drop his glass, his face quickly turned from surprise to anger, searching for the culprit who slandered him. When he saw Crystal Dawson, his anger turned to dismay.

Hearing Crystal Dawson’s words, the woman showed a look of suspicion and disdain. After her eyes darted to Silas Lockwood’s lower body, she snorted and turned away.

Leah Lane, Tiana O’Connell, and I couldn’t help but laugh, Crystal Dawson can be really wicked.

Silas Lockwood, though terrified, still approached us for the sake of his dignity, pointing at Crystal Dawson angrily, "You tiger girl, stop spouting nonsense and ruining this young master’s reputation!"

"Silas Lockwood, do you remember I told you I’d hit you every time I see you?" Crystal Dawson stood up, her aura fierce despite being shorter than Silas Lockwood.

Silas Lockwood stepped back, stammering, "W-why hit me? I didn’t wrong you..."

Crystal Dawson raised her hand as if to hit, and Silas Lockwood pitifully shielded his head, "Try hitting me, don’t think I won’t hit women, dare me and I’ll have my dad arrange another match for you—"

The words stopped abruptly as Silas Lockwood seemed to realize he’d said something wrong.

Indeed, Crystal Dawson’s expression changed drastically, grabbing Silas Lockwood by the collar, "Damn you, was that bald donkey introduced by your dad?!"

"Who told you to hit me first?" Silas Lockwood’s face was full of righteous indignation.

"I hit because you’re a bastard!" Crystal Dawson was furious, hitting him left and right. Silas Lockwood scrambled away, Jason Forrest appeared just in time to block him.

Since both Silas Lockwood and Jason Forrest were in City A, it meant only Henry Preston and Zoe went to another city.

My heart sank a bit.

"Miss Dawson! Beauty Dawson! Please calm down, Silas is young and thoughtless, be the bigger person and don’t hold it against him." Jason Forrest tried mediating.

"For heaven’s sake, if Zoe had her dad introduce you to a 150-pound widow as a wife, what would you do?" Crystal Dawson asked sternly, hands on hips.

Jason Forrest looked at me, seemingly putting himself in such a scenario quite successfully, indicating a readiness to settle scores with me!

Crystal Dawson pointed to Silas Lockwood behind Jason Forrest, "Then step aside, I’ll send him skyward today."

Jason Forrest really stepped aside, and with no one to protect him, Silas Lockwood ran as Crystal Dawson gave chase. They played tag through the noisy bar, escape impossible.

Half an hour later, Crystal Dawson returned, looking content and refreshed.

Having had enough of the fun, I got up to head to the restroom. As I came out, a man blocked my way, exuding a refined air, wearing glasses, and asked me gently, "Miss, may I buy you a drink? I know it might sound bold, but I’ve been watching you."

Was this a pickup?

I intended to refuse, but for some reason, I found his voice and demeanor quite appealing. He seemed about my age, so having a drink and a chat didn’t seem bad.

"Sure." I smiled slightly and sat down with him nearby.

Seeing this, Crystal Dawson threw a flirty glance and made a cheering gesture.

Withdrawing my gaze, the man introduced himself, "I’m Jasper Yates, and you?"

"Just call me Miss Hathaway." I wasn’t keen on revealing my full name to a stranger.

"Miss Hathaway, pleased to meet you." Jasper Yates smiled amicably.

We drank and chatted; topics were scarce between strangers, especially men and women who successfully hit on each other in such places. Often, after a few words, the conversation would steer toward the topic of romantic entanglements, but Jasper Yates was quite respectful and hadn’t said anything to make me uncomfortable.

Suddenly, Jasper Yates asked, "Are you single?"

I froze, thinking about what my husband Henry Preston was doing at that moment. Was he shopping with Zoe, or were they already in bed, whispering sweet nothings?