CHAPTER 109: DRAKE’S LIPS ARE SWOLLEN

Beauty sat alone on the sofa sipping champagne when a gentle tap on her shoulder made her turn around.

There stood a familiar handsome face.

Samuel arched an eyebrow at her, his sharp canine tooth peeking through a warm smile.

The years seemed to have both changed him and left him untouched, giving her a vague sense of déjà vu.

Memories of their youthful days came flooding back in an instant.

She returned his smile with a radiant one of her own.

"Long time no see.

Never thought we’d meet again at an event like this.

The moment I heard the piano, I knew it had to be you.

You’ve only grown more brilliant over the years."

"Really?"

He chuckled. "I’d say you’re the one who’s changed the most.

You’ve blossomed into such an elegant beauty.

They say girls change dramatically as they grow up, and you’re living proof."

Had they crossed paths elsewhere, he might not have recognized her at all.

Time truly worked like magic, transforming people beyond recognition.

Beauty’s cheeks flushed pink at his compliment.

Pressing her rosy lips together, she laughed softly.

"Oh stop, I’m not that special.

Just grew up a little, that’s all.

I’m part of the working world now—will officially join the workforce after graduation next year.

I’ve watched your performances on TV often.

Seems you’ve finally achieved your dream?"

A hint of bitterness flickered across Samuel’s smile.

Since childhood, he’d been forced to practice piano relentlessly—all because his mother, an accomplished piano teacher, had discovered his musical gift.

Whether he liked it or not, she’d pushed him relentlessly toward becoming a renowned pianist. It was always his family’s dream, never his own.

And his true aspirations?

They’d drifted further away with each passing year.

Only Drake knew the truth.

Noticing his distant expression, Beauty waved her fingers playfully before his eyes.

"Hey, where’d you go just now?

Some things never change—you’re still as quiet as you were back then."

"Oh?

You’ve become much more lively.

I heard you’re with Lucas now."

... The mention of Lucas cast an awkward silence between them.

Beauty felt a twinge of discomfort—after all, it was because of him that they had fallen out back then.

Though "falling out" might be too strong a word.

It was more like youthful tempers flaring up, something time had dulled to the point where she could barely remember the details.

"I really owe you an apology for that.

I regretted it afterward—I shouldn’t have said those things to you.

We both had our reasons, and I never had the courage to apologize.

But seeing you today, I finally do."

Samuel spoke earnestly, his eyes glistening as he looked at Beauty.

"Honestly, I stopped being angry a long time ago.

I felt terrible afterward too.

You were—are—one of my closest friends, and I don’t have many of those.

So let’s just leave the past in the past, okay?"

She picked up the wine glass on the table and lightly clinked it against his, offering a faint smile.

"Laura and I have been looking everywhere for you.

So this is where you’ve been!"

Toby and Laura approached from the other side, completely ignoring Beauty as they made their way to Samuel.

"Did you need something?"

Samuel’s expression remained calm, though his gaze softened slightly with affection when it landed on his brother.

When his eyes flickered over Laura, however, his lips merely curved into a polite smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

"Oh, so you were chatting with *her*? It must have been a while since you two last saw each other.

Hope we’re not interrupting anything!"

Laura suddenly shot Beauty a strange, sarcastic look.

At home, they usually just called each other

"hey," but now, in front of Samuel, she was putting on a sweet act."

"We really haven’t seen each other in a long time, Beauty.

There’s so much I want to talk about.

If you two don’t have anything urgent, maybe you could come back later?"

His tone was icy, devoid of any warmth, making it painfully clear that Laura was intruding.

Originally, Laura had just wanted to needle Beauty in front of Samuel and, in the process, make him give up on her completely.

She hadn’t expected to provoke Samuel’s anger instead.

Her face instantly paled, her pink lips trembling slightly.

After a long pause, she finally spat out coldly,

"Fine, you two talk then!"

With that, she turned on her heel and stormed off without another glance.

Toby knew the little princess was upset again and had no choice but to chase after her to smooth things over.

Suddenly, the world felt quiet again.

Beauty exhaled slowly, relief washing over her, but she remained silent.

Her gaze drifted to the tall figure in the distance, and for a moment, she couldn’t help but think how striking that person’s silhouette was.

"So... are you and Lucas really together now?"

The question snapped her back to reality.

Beauty swallowed hard, her throat feeling oddly sweet—probably from eating too much cream.

"Our relationship is... complicated.

I don’t even know how to explain it to you.

Like you said, I have my own reasons.

If we’re friends, just don’t ask, okay?"

She offered no explanation, nor did she admit anything.

Deep down, even she herself was questioning the true nature of her relationship with Lucas.

Suddenly, another woman appeared beside Lucas in the distance.

Even from just the back view, she could tell exactly who it was.

Amanda was indeed the kind of beauty one could never forget.

Samuel let out a bitter smile.

No matter what the real connection was between her and Lucas, he knew there was no chance for him.

How could he possibly hope to be with a woman whose eyes didn’t even hold a trace of his reflection?

The crowd erupted again as Drake made his appearance.

Noticing the injury on his lower lip, someone immediately teased, "Looks like Mr. Drake and Miss Samantha are as inseparable as glue and paint, sweeter than honey!

It’s only been a short while, and you’ve already left a mark of affection on each other."

Beauty’s gaze was drawn over, though she couldn’t tell who had spoken.

From her angle, she could clearly see the vivid red on Drake’s lower lip—swollen and unmistakably fresh, as if someone had just bitten him.

Samantha, who had been about to approach Drake, froze in place at the teasing remarks.

Her eyes locked onto his lips and chin, her expression blank, as if she’d been struck dumb.

"Ah, speak of the devil—here comes Miss Samantha!

Where have you two been sneaking off to? Mr. Drake’s lip is even bleeding from your little deeds," the same person quipped again, playfully tucking a loose curl behind her ear, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Samantha’s face darkened instantly.

Her fingers clenched tightly, her lips pressed into a thin line as she remained silent.

Drake shot the woman a cold glare.

Then, turning back to Samantha, he gently took her hand, his voice icy.

"Are you that interested in our affairs?

Should we reenact the scene right here for everyone?"

Without waiting for a response, he captured her trembling lips in a searing kiss.

Amid the cheers of the onlookers, the two became lost in each other, their passion leaving the crowd both envious and enthralled.