?Chapter 923:


    Once she had stored his name in her memory, she shifted her focus back to the group. A yful arch lifted her brow as she leaned slightly forward. “Just sitting here drinking feels too tame. Want to y something?”


    Henrik perked up immediately, eager to ride the energy she brought. “What game did you have in mind, Miss Patel?”


    Their typical evenings never went beyond small talk and a few drinks—games weren’t exactly in their wheelhouse.


    Scanning the table, Charlette spotted a few empty bottles and smiled. “Let’s go with something simple. Spin the bottle. If it points to you, you lose. The loser picks—truth or dare. Refuse to y? You take a full ss of wine. Fair enough?”


    The suggestion sparked excitement. Everyone nodded in agreement—except for Ellis, who said nothing.


    Though they shared the sameb, Ellis was the head. He wasn’t cold, but he kept his distance.


    Usually, Henrik would not dare push boundaries around Ellis. But with Charlette around, boldness came easier. “Come on, Ellis,” he said, nudging the moment along. “You know it’s no fun if you just sit and watch.”


    Ellis did not offer agreement or disagreement.


    Taking the silence as permission, Henrik swept aside the sses, cleared space, and then centered an empty bottle on the table. “You first, Miss Patel,” Henrik said, his tone light and hopeful.


    A soft smile curved across Charlette’s lips, adding anotheryer to her already maic presence. Under the dim lighting, her curls shimmered and her features glowed, making everyone’s hearts race—except for Ellis’s, who remained unfazed.


    With a glint of mischief in her eyes, Charlette reached out and spun the bottle. It whirled across the polished surface, catching reflections as it turned, before gradually slowing to a stop and pointing to the seat next to her. She tilted her head and locked eyes with Ellis. “Mr. Harper, truth or dare?”


    Ellis cast a nce in her direction but remained silent.


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    Mustering a bit of nerve, Henrik cleared his throat and called out, “Ellis, no backing out now.”


    That earned Henrik a piercing re. Despite the chill in Ellis’s eyes, Henrik held his ground, doing his best to seem unfazed, especially with Charlette watching.


    Instead of replying, Ellis reached for his drink and finished it in one smooth motion.


    Charlette’s gaze followed the subtle tilt of his wrist, the clean line of his throat as he swallowed, the way his fingers wrapped effortlessly around the ss. She found herself smiling. Those hands didn’t just look elegant—they looked like they belonged holding hers.


    With Ellis having passed his turn, the game moved along.


    Round twonded squarely on Charlette, and the energy around the table shifted with excitement. Lifting a brow, she shrugged. “I’ll take truth.”


    Henrik looked like he was trying not to choke on air. After a pause, he asked, “Miss Patel… do you have a boyfriend?”


    A softugh bubbled from her lips. “Nope. Not at the moment.” The sparkle in Henrik’s eyes gave him away instantly.


    Everyone else shared in the excitement, with the exception of Ellis. As the game continued, fortune seemed to favor Charlette. She didn’tnd on a single losing spin after that.


    Oddly enough, the bottle had a habit of finding its way back to Ellis. Ellis always avoided choosing truth or dare, quietly sipping his drink instead.


    Seatedfortably with her legs crossed and fingers idly brushing against her chin, Charlette kept her eyes on him—amused, intrigued.


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