Chapter 15 Feigning Drunkenness
Unfazed by the sarcasm from the others, Matthew calmly raised his glass toward Ryleigh.
“Have you sorted it out over there?”
Zeke’s attention was also diverted.
“Just say if you need help.”
Someone tried to trip up Ryleigh, aiming to take his place.
It wouldn’t bode well for them if something were to happen to Ryleigh.
Ryleigh calmly raised his glass and took a sip of wine.
“Merely a minor issue.”
Zeke wasn’t as optimistic as him.
“Be careful. Once it’s pinned on you, it could be hard to shake off.”
Someone attempted to exploit Ryleigh’s foreign connections, aiming to label him as a spy.
+8 Pearls
If that accusation was confirmed, Ryleigh might be unscathed, but staying in the country would be out of the question.
“Since you’ve decided to build your career here, you should consider going about it in a legitimate way. In fact, there seems to be an opportunity right now.”
Everyone present thought of the opportunity mentioned by Matthew, and in silent agreement, they raised their glasses.
“Be careful yourself too.”
Ryleigh gave Matthew a meaningful look. “Just be careful not to let your guard down.”
Matthew wasn’t any more legitimate than him abroad. Despite Matthew’s constant presence there, considering the rumors circulating, it was best to be cautious.
Matthew raised his eyebrows.
“It’s no big deal.”
Ryleigh chuckled lightly, choosing not to continue the conversation. They were both unaware of the specifics of the matter, so it wasn’t appropriate to delve deeper. It was enough that Matthew himself understood.
After a while of casual conversation among the group, Matthew had a few drinks before he got up, ready to leave. This left Dominic staring in surprise.
“Matthew, are you leaving already? It’s only been a short while.”
“He’s simply rushing back to show his devotion.”
Matthew chuckled softly.
“You single folks wouldn’t understand.”
Ryleigh spoke with an emotionless face, uttering words that could pierce one’s heart.
“It’s the first time I’d heard of someone escaping being single all on their own.”
Approaching the door, Matthew paused for a moment before stepping out. It seemed as if he was deeply hurt.
Dominic gave a thumbs up.
“Ryleigh, it had to be you. Aren’t you afraid this petty guy will seek revenge on you?”
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Chapter 15 Feigning Drunkenness
“During this period, it seems Matthew won’t be in the mood for other diversions.”
Joseph picked up his wine glass and gave it a slight swirl.
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Dominic seemed to have thought of something, his words hanging on the edge of his lips. “What do you think? Matthew…
Ryleigh looked at him very seriously and said, “Stop meddling in things that don’t concern you.”
Joseph and Zeke were both looking at Dominic, who appeared rather dispirited.
“Why are you all looking at me like that?”
He wasn’t a fool, so he knew what to say and what not to say.
Matthew’s enthusiasm for anything was always fleeting. He was quite capricious, sometimes taking a fancy to something on a whim but quickly losing interest.
It was unclear whether Noelle was an exception to this.
When Matthew returned to his residence, Noelle was not asleep. Instead, she was reclining on the bed in her bedroom, engrossed in a document sent to her by the cybersecurity department on her phone.
Upon hearing the knock, Noelle knew that Matthew had returned. She went to open the door, only to find Matthew leaning against it. When the door swung open, he nearly fell on Noelle.
Noelle supported Matthew. Catching a whiff of the scent of alcohol wafting from him, she noticed the slight flush on his face.
“Have you had too much to drink?”
Matthew shook his head, guiding Noelle into the bedroom and settling her on the edge of the bed. His voice carried a hint of grievance when he asked, “Why aren’t you calling me Matty anymore, Elle?”
Noelle looked at Matthew, and it seemed like he had really drunk too much. Normally, Matthew wouldn’t speak in such a tone. So, she decided to go along with his mood and responded accordingly, “Matty, how much did you drink?”
Actually, when the two of them were alone together, things were fine. However, in front of others, Noelle found it somewhat difficult to address him that way.
Matthew leaned in, gently rubbing his forehead against Noelle’s, a subtle gesture of intimacy.
“I only had a little sip.”
Matthew was speaking the truth.
He was too close, his breath laced with the scent of alcohol washing over her face, making her feel somewhat light–headed.
Feeling uncomfortable, Noelle took a step back, but Matthew moved forward to match her retreat. The two were already seated at the edge of the bed, and with any further retreat, they would end up lying down.
With a sudden thought, Noelle swiftly stood up, intending to leave first. She felt that the drunken Matthew was somewhat of a risk.
Her hand was caught by the person behind her, and she could feel the person pressing against her back. Unable to resist, Noelle reached back and grabbed Matthew, attempting to immobilize him with a swift maneuver.
Yet, she had underestimated the person behind her. In a whirl of disorientation, she found herself firmly pinned to the bed. Dazed, Noelle looked up at Matthew above her.
Matthew moved closer to Noelle.
“Are you challenging me to a test of skills, Elle?”
People from families like Matthew’s were required to learn self–defense from a young age. Naturally, he was far more skilled than Noelle, who was only half–trained.
Noelle’s face flushed a deep red as she forcefully pushed against the person laying on top of her. However, her hand was
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Chapter 15 Feigning Drunkenness
caught and pinned to the side of her head.
“What are you up to, Elle?”
Noelle was frustrated. “You’re on top of me. Why are you asking me what I want?”
After a few forceful struggles, Matthew gripped her hand a bit too tightly, his voice hoarse.
“Stop moving,” he said.
At the same time, Noelle felt something near his thigh, which made even her neck turn red.
“Get up quickly.”
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Matthew still held Noelle down, even going so far as to rest his head against the nape of Noelle’s neck, nuzzling it gently.
“I’m feeling awful. Let me hold you for a bit, Elle. I’ll feel better soon.”
Noelle was so startled that she felt numb all over, not daring to move for fear of provoking him. After what felt like an eternity, Matthew rolled off her, laying down next to her.
Just as Noelle was about to stand up, she was pulled back by Matthew, his voice tinged with a hint of pleading.
“Elle, I have a headache.”
Noelle felt like wringing his neck. You deserve the headache! It’s your own fault for drinking too much and acting like a fool.
However, in the end, she didn’t abandon him. She sighed, deciding not to argue with the drunkard. After all, he didn’t do anything to her despite his state earlier. She could still trust Matthew’s character.
Noelle had Matthew lie down properly, and then she began massaging several acupressure points on his head, helping him to relax.
“Feeling much better now. Are your hands tired, Elle?”
Matthew gently took Noelle’s hands, kneading them softly. Feeling uncomfortable, Noelle withdrew her hands and thought about standing up.
“You should get some rest now that you’re okay. Looking at your condition, it’s clear we can’t go back. I’ll go to another room.”
Matthew pulled Noelle to a halt.
“This is the only room that has a bed.”
Noelle’s eyes widened as Matthew explained further, “Dominic intends for us to decorate and fill up the rooms according to our own preferences. This bed is only temporarily placed here.”
Noelle was left speechless. No wonder he went to Dominic’s place to take a shower in the afternoon. What should we do, then? We surely can’t share the same bed.
After a night of turmoil, Noelle’s mind was in a mess, so much so that she completely forgot that there was a mall nearby where she could buy a bed.
Matthew looked at Noelle with a sense of injustice.
“Do you not believe me, Elle?”
Is this really a matter of trust? Is it appropriate for a single man and woman to share a bed? Just as Noelle was about to say she wanted. to go downstairs, Matthew attempted to rise from the bed, his steps somewhat unsteady.
“Elle, if you don’t want to be here, then let’s go back.”
Noelle grabbed hold of him. Stop messing around. You can barely walk straight. How are we supposed to get home?
Noelle had to compromise. Thankfully, the bed was spacious enough. Both of them lay on the bed, with enough room in the middle for another person to fit.
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Chapter 15 Feigning Drunkenness
She glanced at the person beside her, who lay there with steady breathing, and thought he had fallen asleep.
Noelle thought she wouldn’t be able to sleep as she had never shared a bed with anyone before.
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Perhaps it was due to the day’s exhaustive fun, but Noelle soon felt the pull of sleepiness. Gradually, she succumbed to sleep.
After a while, once Noelle had fallen asleep, the person who was supposed to be asleep opened his eyes. He quietly lowered the air conditioning by two degrees and subtly moved closer to Noelle, patiently waiting for his prey to walk into the trap.
In the midst of her slumber, Noelle felt a chill, instinctively moving closer to the source of warmth beside her.
A certain triumphant individual wrapped his arms around her, pulling her completely into his embrace. He gently kissed the corner of her lips. Only then did he close his eyes contentedly.
Send Gifts
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