?Chapter 404:


    Jaxon hurriedly grabbed his ss, eager to make amends. “I’ll make it up to you with a shot!”


    “Hold on,” Wesley drawled, his voice unhurried as hezily tilted his chin toward the whiskey bottle. “Finish that one.”


    Jaxon’s grin stiffened, as if he had just swallowed something bitter. If he actually downed the entire bottle, he’d be hammered beyond saving for the night. His face twisted into a grimace but quickly forced back into a tight-lipped smile. “Wesley, could I perhaps limit myself to three shots instead? That whiskey is insanely strong… If I were to finish the entire bottle, I’d undoubtedly be knocked out cold for the night…”


    He had spoken without thinking earlier.


    Jaxon had a reputation for running his mouth in public without a second thought. Dominating the social scene in the, the Boyd family had always been a prominent force, with Jaxon being the reckless ck sheep. He could say whatever he wanted—no one dared to challenge him to prove it.


    But today was different. Jaxon wasn’t dealing with just anyone—this was Wesley.


    Under Wesley’smanding gaze, Jaxon knew resistance was futile. Wesley, his expression unreadable, held a cigarette loosely between his fingers, his gaze fixed casually on Jaxon.


    Jaxon muttered a curse under his breath, feeling the day’s luck had truly abandoned him. Wesley was seriously pushing him to disgrace himself—over a damn woman!


    Backed into a corner, Jaxon snatched the whiskey bottle and downed it in one go.


    The alcohol packed a punch, and by the time Jaxon drained thest drop, his tongue felt like lead, his words a slurred mess. “W-Wesley, I d-did it!”


    He even turned the bottle over, letting the nothingness drip out for all to see.


    Wesley’s face was a mask of stoicism as he hummed nomittally.


    With a stagger, Jaxon copsed into the nearest chair. Beside him, a woman d in a striking red dress swiftly leaned over, her concern palpable as she filled his ss with water.


    The air thickened with tension.


    It was Malcolm who finally shattered the uneasy silence. “That was some fine liquor, and you downed everyst drop. Did you do that on purpose?”


    gα?ησν????s﹒c??m has it all


    Jaxon kept his eyes on the floor, refusing to speak.


    The others quickly joined in, their light-hearted banter gradually thawing the tense atmosphere.


    “I’m pretty sure Jaxon just kept all the liquor for himself.”


    “I didn’t even get a taste of that drink. Let’s pop open another bottle so I can have a try.”


    Elena turned to Wesley, catching his gaze. Their eyes met, and tension crackled in the air.


    Wesley’s eyes churned with unspoken thoughts, a tumult of emotions swirling in their depths.


    Elena hesitated, her heart skipping a beat. Was Wesley actually mad, or was it just her imagination?


    Elena felt no irritation herself. Such a trivial matter wasn’t worth her ire. Still, she could clearly sense the tension in Wesley, despite the mask of calm on his face.


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