<b>chapter </b>154


    A few secondster, the sound of high heels outside the door grew closer and closer.


    Jericho, left with no choice, finally let her go.


    Romina’s whole body slumped downward, and just as he opened the door, she saw Nadine standing outside.


    Romina grabbed Jericho’s arm and bit down hard.


    She hid behind the door, so Nadine couldn’t see her at all, nor could she see the arm Romina was biting.


    Jericho’s brow furrowed in pain, and he almost cried out.


    “Jericho, what’s wrong with you?”


    Nadine, seeing Jericho’s tightly knit brows, looked at him with concern.


    After Romina felt it was enough, she finally let go of his hand.


    Jericho red back at her, but in the end, he still opened the door and left.


    Romina leaned against the wall, her gaze fixed on the stairs ahead, her eyes gradually growing darker.


    Fragments of the past kept shing through her mind…


    That dull ache once again spread through her heart.


    Suddenly, a wild idea sprang up inside her.


    That seed she had just cut off began to grow wildly, like weeds.


    She straightened up, quickly reached out to the door handle, opened the door, and walked out without hesitation.


    Before returning to the restaurant, Romina made a point to stop by the restroom.


    She carefully checked her neck. Although it was very red, there were no other marks left.


    06:54


    chapter154


    :.


    Only after the redness on her neck hadpletely faded did she stride quickly in the direction where Joaquin was.


    Romina returned to the table, pulled out her chair and sat down, then looked up at Joaquin across from her.


    The man’s gaze at her was tinged with a hint ofplexity. “What did he say to you?”


    Romina’s heart suddenly leapt to her throat, and the hand that picked up the wet wipe paused slightly.


    After a moment’s hesitation, she suddenly put the wet wipe on the table, then looked up Joaquin. “Mr. Bowman, I want a drink.”


    <b>at </b>


    As soon as she said this, Joaquin’s eyshes fluttered slightly, a faint trace of surprise flickering in his eyes.


    His gaze darkened, and then he asked thoughtfully, “Why do you suddenly want to drink?” Romina couldn’t hold her liquor well; she was practically down after just one ss.


    He still remembered vividly how she had reacted in front of him thest two times she drank.


    If he let her drink at a time like this, it probably wouldn’t be appropriate.


    But seeing the determination in her eyes, he finally softened for a moment.


    “No reason, I just simply want to drink…”


    Romina’s tone was calm as she picked up her knife and fork and continued cutting her steak.


    Joaquin nced at her beautiful features, then finally raised his hand and snapped his fingers at a nearby waiter.


    A few minutester, a bottle of not–too–strong whiskey was ced on the table.


    Before Joaquin could even pick up his ss, Romina had already brought it in front of herself and started pouring drinks for both of them.


    When the man saw her fill her ss more than halfway, he let out a low, hoarseugh. “Ms. Sandoval, are you sure you want to drink that much?”


    “You underestimated me thest two times. This time, I’ll show you my real drinking capacity!”


    06:54


    chapter154


    Romina handed one of the sses to the man, her eyes full of unwavering confidence.


    “This isn’t a very strong drink, but with your tolerance, you’ll probably be down after a few sips.” Joaquin’s thin lips curled up slightly. “Are you sure you want to drink?”


    Romina replied bluntly, “I’m sure!”


    Her expression was as resolute as her tone.


    Seeing the look in her eyes, Joaquin finally reached out and took the ss from her.


    When his cool fingertips brushed against hers, her body tensed slightly.


    She quickly pulled her hand back and picked up her own ss.


    Just as she was about to tilt her head back and drink, the man’s deep voice suddenly came from across the table. “Wait.”


    Romina’s hand suddenly stopped.


    She lifted her gaze and looked at him quietly, asking curiously, “What’s wrong?”


    Joaquin handed her his wine ss, his previously indifferent expression now softened a little.


    Romina immediately understood what he meant and quickly handed over her ss.


    “Clink-”


    The sses made a dull sound as they gently touched.


    As Romina listened to the sound, her already taut nerves grew even more tense.


    The only reason she chose to drink was to give herself some courage…


    But such thoughts could never be shared with anyone.


    Not even Joaquin.


    Romina had thought she could at least handle three drinks, but after just the second ss, she felt dizzy and something was clearly wrong.


    “Are you alright?”


    06:55