?Chapter 1401:


    A waiter had stepped in earlier, asking if they wanted a fewpanions—maybe someone to sing, drink, lighten the mood—but William had waved him off immediately.


    Now, half an hour had passed. Still no music. No talking. Just silence and the quiet clink of ss.


    Steven finally couldn’t take it anymore. He cleared his throat, leaned forward, and spoke softly. “William, why’d you call us out tonight? If you just wanted to drink, you could’ve done that alone.”


    The room felt heavy. Nothing about it was fun. They hadn’t even touched their sses.


    William nced over at Steven, his voice cold. “If you don’t want to drink… get lost.”


    Steven blinked, stunned. That hit harder than it should’ve. Even back when things were at their worst—he never once told Steven to get lost.


    Steven looked genuinely hurt. “Wow. You’ve changed. Back when you asked me to help run Neb, you never talked to me like this. I’m seriously disappointed.”


    Jewell raised a brow, quietly impressed. So this was the kind of friendship William had going on in Choria? That casual boldness… it was unexpected.


    William didn’t say anything back. He just dropped his gaze and poured himself another drink.


    Steven, still a little offended but undeterred, scooted closer and nudged him. “This is about Ste, isn’t it? Have you realized your feelings for her?”


    He watched William’s jaw tighten, his hand clenching the ss just slightly.


    Steven smirked. “Rx, man. I’m not judging. I’m just saying—if you’ve caught feelings for her again, that’s not some big scandal. We’re not gonnaugh at you.”


    Ever since William came back from abroad and started circling Ste like a storm cloud, Steven had figured it was only a matter of time.


    A woman like Ste had that effect. She pulled people in without even trying.


    Honestly, it wasn’t surprising William had fallen again.


    William didn’t respond. He just finished the bottle in front of him.


    Steven and Jewell exchanged nces. Trying to lighten the mood, Steven suddenly pointed at Jewell. “Hey, why don’t you drink with him? He’s lonely over there.”


    Jewell raised a brow. “Why me?”


    Steven sat up straighter. “Because I have to drive him home. You want me to get a DUI?”


    Sounded like a reasonable excuse. But Jewell wasn’t letting him off that easily. “It’s fine. I’ll call you a designated driver. They’re professionals. Your car won’t even get scratched.”


    Steven stared at him. That wasn’t the point and they both knew it.


    He nced at the table full of liquor, and finally, with a determined gulp, poured himself a ss and clinked it with William’s. “William, I understand how you feel. I’ll drink with you.”


    Before long, they were speeding through the liquor on the table. Jewell, who normally avoided alcohol like the gue—especially with his medical background—eventually gave in and took a few sips. He could tell William needed this.


    No one knew how long they were in that room, but hours passed. Eventually, Steven was fully slumped on the sofa, one hand half-raised in surrender.


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