<h4>Chapter 354: Drinking to Release</h4>


    Be’s shrill voice rang out in anger, drawing the attention of several other diners. E shot her a cold nce, while Mason remained silent, his gaze stormy, as if brewing a tempest.


    "Miss Rodriguez, did you not just hear what Mr. Scott said?" E’s voice cut through the tension like ice. "He insulted my husband and shamelessly tried to nder me as well. Mr. Scott, I am a married woman and will never entertain any advances from you. Even if every man in the world disappeared, I would still never choose you!"


    She was furious. She had rejected Mason countless times, yet he continued to harass her, constantly stirring up trouble and repulsing her at every turn. His sudden announcement of breaking up with Be was clearly a ploy to redirect Be’s anger toward E.


    This time, E no longer cared about appearances; she was ready to defend herself, no matter what impression she left on others.


    "Exactly!" Lauren chimed in sharply. "Mr. Scott has been pestering E over and over, and she’s already married! Don’t you already have Miss Rodriguez? How shameless can you be! E, let’s leave—no point staying here with all these pests around!"


    Mason’s face darkened with fury as E,pletely unbothered, left with Lauren at her side. The restaurant buzzed with murmurs as they departed, as many diners recognized her from gossip columns, where she and Eric often appeared.


    "Wasn’t that E? She looks even better in person than in pictures."


    "Didn’t the papers say she’s into her husband’s younger brother? That’s why Eric went abroad in a rage."


    "Tabloids are so trashy—they’ll write anything for clicks!"


    "Right! She’s just doing what she should. The younger brother got hurt saving her, after all."


    "That Mason guy is so disgusting. I heard him myself. He came in with Rodriguez, arm-in-arm, and then turned around and imed he’d broken up, just to get to E. Sickening!"


    Mason’s face turned a deep shade of red, then pale, as whispers circted around him. E was the one woman he could never have, making her even more desirable, more out of reach. Yet, this was the first time he’d ever faced such public humiliation, and he couldn’t stand it. With a dark look in his eyes, he strode out, determined to confront her.


    Just as E and Lauren settled into the car, they heard Mason’s mocking voice outside. "E, don’t fool yourself into thinking Eric’s really faithful to you. I’ve received reliable information that he’s with a woman named Vivian. One day, you’lle crawling back to me. Mark my words."


    He sounded like a twisted, bloodthirsty demon, his eyes filled with an obsessive greed that made E see him for what he truly was.


    "Drive, please. No need to listen to a rabid dog barking nonsense," E instructed the driver calmly.


    Yet, deep down, a chill spread through her. As a native of Country W, Mason did have extensive contacts and resources. Could his im be true? She had, after all, heard a woman’s voice on the other end of the phone earlier. Could Eric really be with this "Vivian"?


    Impossible!


    E thought of Eric’s devotion over the past couple of years. She couldn’t believe he’d betray her so easily.


    Mason can’t be trusted, she reminded herself, deciding to wait for Eric’s return to address her suspicions directly with him.


    When E returned home, she barely touched her dinner, pacing distractedly around the vi. Unable to suppress her growing anxiety, she dialed Eric’s number once more.


    This time, the call connected.


    But instead of Eric’s voice, E was met with the unmistakable sounds of a man and a woman sharing an intimate moment. Her face darkened, and a sharp, unexinable pain spread through her chest. She bit down on her lip, holding back the urge to hang up, struggling to contain the ache that felt like it was tearing through her.


    "Eric!" she shouted, her voice trembling. But on the other end, the sounds only grew more intense, now unmistakably suggesting a deepening intimacy.


    E’s eyes filled with tears. Even if Eric hated her, how could he humiliate her like this?


    Finally, she ended the call, whispering to herself, "E, keep calm!"


    Forcing herself to stand, she shakily made her way downstairs to brew a calming tea. Breathing in the soothing aroma, she stepped out into the garden, circling the pathways in an attempt to regain herposure.


    Then, a realization hit her—a subtle w in the scene she’d just overheard. Though the couple sounded passionately engaged, she’d heard no voices beyond the background noise. She knew Eric too well; he always teased her with yful words during their private moments, adding his own brand of humor to every encounter. But this time, he’d beenpletely silent.


    A chill settled over her as E clenched her fists. Whoever orchestrated this had done their homework, but there was no way she’d fall for it.


    She had to trust her husband.


    Despite her resolve, a lingering sadness filled her heart. ncing at the small bar in the vi, she felt her emotions bubbling over with nowhere to release them.


    Unable to disturb Amelia for advice again, E drifted over to the bar, picking a bottle at random. She poured the crimson wine into a ss, watching it fill the crystal goblet with an almost mesmerizing richness.


    E rarely drank, knowing it would leave her feeling reckless. But tonight, she felt desperate enough to try anything to dull her heartache. And so, one ss after another, she drank, hoping each sip would ease the heaviness inside her.


    After three or four sses, she felt her heart racing, her cheeks flushed, and the room around her beginning to blur. Slumping over the bar, she whispered to herself, "So dizzy... Am I... drunk again?"


    She touched her flushed face, her breathing shallow, as her consciousness faded.


    ...


    The next morning, Mrs. Harris, the housekeeper, rose early and, upon entering the living room, found E slumped over the bar. Shocked, she eximed, "Oh my goodness, young madam, what happened? You drank a whole bottle!"


    Mrs. Harris recalled seeing E outside the night before, looking perfectly normal as she took a quiet stroll. Now, however, E was sprawled across the bar, her face flushed as if feverish.


    Mrs. Harris hurriedly cleared away the bottle and sses, gently shaking E. "Young madam, are you all right? You look as red as a rose! What should I do?"


    Panicked, Mrs. Harris decided to call Eric. She ran to the phone, quickly dialing his number.


    The call connected almost immediately, and Eric’s voice, slightly hoarse, came through. "Mrs. Harris, is something wrong?"


    "Young master, you need toe home! The young madam drank herself to sleep, and I can’t move her on my own. She still hasn’t woken up," Mrs. Harris said urgently, slipping in a reprimand. "Honestly, sir, you’re a grown man. How can you just leave after a fight? Come back home, now!"