<b>Chapter </b><b>254</b>: Persistent Bonds


    Chapter 254: Persistent Bonds


    (Third person’s POV)


    Derek Sullivan smiled and said, “Okay, looking at your reaction, you didn’t catch up.”


    Adrian Sinir expressionlessly yed a card. “When do you n to reconcile with Sarah


    Mitchell?<b>” </b>


    The question instantly froze the smile on Derek’s face. His hand paused mid–air, holding a mahjong tile.


    “Why bring up what I don’t want to talk about?” Derek looked dejected, his shoulders sagging.


    Adrian’s smile was wless. “Learned it from you.”


    Rachel nced between the two men with interest. The tension in the chess room had shifted dramatically from yful teasing to ufortable silence.


    Derek threw his tile down with more force than necessary. “Fine, point taken.”


    The fourth yer, a juniorwyer from their firm, cleared his throat awkwardly. The romantic drama between colleagues was bing too personal forfort.


    In the karaoke room, Emma Thompson’s enthusiastic voice belted out a popr love bad. Her off–key notes mixed with Jade Mitchell’sughter, creating a stark contrast to the subdued atmosphere in the chess room.


    “Your turn,” Adrian said quietly, his attention returning to the game.


    Derek studied his tiles with forced concentration. The mention of Sarah had clearly rattled him more than he wanted to admit.


    Rachel decided to break the tension. “Anyone want more drinks? I could use another moonberry mojito.”


    “I’ll get them,” the juniorwyer offered quickly, eager to escape the awkward situation.


    As he left for the bar area, Derek finally spoke again. “Sarah won’t even take my calls anymore.”


    Adrian didn’t look up from his tiles. “Maybe that’s your answer.”


    “Easy for you to say,” Derek muttered bitterly.


    41


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    < Chapter 254: Persistent Bonds


    More Rewards <b>> </b>


    The chess room fell silent except for the distant sound of karaoke and the clicking of mahjong tiles.


    Meanwhile, Olivia sat on the plush sofa in the main lounge area, picking at a te of fresh strawberries. The sweet fruit did little to improve her restless mood.


    Reba Frost remained absorbed in her phone game, asionally muttering under her breath when she failed a level.


    “I need to use the restroom,” Olivia announced, standing up from thefortable sofa. <fnff81> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? find{n}ovel</fnff81>


    Reba nced up briefly. “The one in our suite is upied. Emma’s been in there forever.”


    Olivia nodded and headed toward the door. “I’ll use the public one down the hall.”


    She stepped out of their private suite into the dimly lit corridor. The bass from various rooms thumped through the walls, creating a rhythmic pulse that matched her heartbeat.


    The public restroom was located at the far end of the hallway. Olivia walked quickly, her heels clicking against the polished floor.


    After finishing her business, she washed her hands and checked her reflection in the mirror. The evening’s stress was beginning to show in the slight tension around her eyes.


    As she rounded the corner heading back to their suite, a strong hand suddenly grabbed her


    wrist.


    “Livvy.”


    Olivia’s blood ran cold. She knew that voice, even slurred with alcohol as it was.


    Ethan Grey stood before her, reeking of whiskey and wearing the standard ck uniform of Nightshade Bar staff. His usually pristine appearance was disheveled, his hair messy and his shirt wrinkled.


    His zed eyes stared at her with desperate intensity. “Have you been well?”


    Olivia’s voice turned ice–cold. “I’ve been doing great without your harassment through the mate bond.”


    Ethan’s bitter smile twisted his features. “I deserved that.”


    He tried to grab her other hand, his movements unsteady. “Please, Livvy. Just talk to me for a minute. I’ve missed you so much.”


    “Release me,” Olivia demanded, herwyer training keeping her voice steady despite her racing heart.


    < Chapter 254. Persistent Bonds


    “No,” Ethan refused, his grip tightening. “Not until you listen to me.”


    More Rewards >


    He leaned forward, attempting to kiss her. The smell of alcohol on his breath made her


    stomach turn.


    Olivia dodged the kiss and her hand connected with his cheek in a sharp p. The sound echoed through the empty corridor.


    Ethan seemed to sober up slightly after the p, blinking in confusion. But his hand still clutched her wrist desperately.


    “Livvy, please—”


    Without further warning, Olivia struck a precise blow to the pressure point on his arm. Years of self–defense training had taught her exactly where to hit.


    Ethan cried out in pain, his grip loosening immediately. Olivia pushed him aside and he staggered against the wall.


    “Livvy…” Ethan called out painfully behind her, his voice breaking.


    She didn’t turn back. Her heels clicked rapidly against the floor as she hurried toward their


    suite.


    Back in the private room, Emma Thompson immediately noticed Olivia’s paleplexion as


    she entered.


    “Sister Olivia, why does your face look so bad?” Emma asked with concern.


    “I just ran into a lunatic,” Olivia replied dismissively, settling back onto the sofa.


    Emma’s <i>eyes </i>widened shockingly. “What lunatic? What happened?”


    “It’s nothing important,” Olivia said firmly. “I don’t want to talk about it.”


    Emma and Jade Mitchell exchanged worried nces. Something had clearly upset their boss, but they knew better than to press when she used that tone.


    Emma decided to try a different approach. She grabbed the karaoke microphone and began singing an exaggerated version of aedy song,plete with silly dance moves.


    Her ridiculous performance drew a small smile from Olivia. Emma’s genuine care and concern touched her heart.


    “Thank you, Em,” Olivia said softly.


    As the evening wound down, the group began preparing to leave. Adrian Sinir approached


    < Chapter 254 Persistent Bonds


    Olivia as she gathered her purse.


    “Let me drive you home,” he offered. “You had a few drinks earlier.”


    More Rewards >


    Olivia shook her head politely. “Thank you, but Emma and I will go together. She’s sober and


    can drive.”


    Adrian persisted. “At least call me when you get home safely?”


    Olivia’s expression grew gentle but firm. “I appreciate your concern, Adrian, but I have a mate. He would be the one to call.”


    She paused, choosing her words carefully. “I don’t want to do anything that would make him unhappy. He’s easily jealous.”


    Adrian’s expression visibly darkened at her words. The rejection stung more than he wanted to admit.


    “I know,” Adrian’s voice was very light, easily scattered by the wind.


    Olivia nodded. “Goodbye, Lawyer Sinir.”


    “Goodbye.”


    As the cier blue Bentley sped away with Olivia and Emma inside, Derek sighed and approached Adrian.


    “Maybe it’s time to move on,” Derek suggested gently. “She clearly doesn’t reciprocate your feelings.”


    Adrian ignored him and headed toward his own car without a word.


    Derek muttered to himself as he watched his friend walk away. “Ah, what a stubborn fool. What a waste of such a good–looking man, born to be a yboy, but he’s a sentimental fool instead.”


    He shook his head with resignation. “Truly like the saying, ‘What you can’t get is always what stirs you up.”