?Chapter 1033:


    Afortable confidence settled over Wesley as he leaned back, a quiet smirk ying at his lips.


    Astonishment flickered in Malcolm’s eyes. He could hardly believe it—Wesley, always so reserved and unreadable, was suddenly wearing the unmistakable mark of a man in love.


    Malcolm sipped his drink, feigning distress. “I hope you know, Wesley, that your lovesick glow is starting to get on my nerves. With you floating up there on cloud nine, spare a little pity for the rest of us left behind in the singles club.” Scanning the room, Malcolm caught sight of Jeffry, nursing his drink in silent misery. That, at least, restored some bnce to the universe.


    With a heartyugh, Malcolm pped Jeffry’s shoulder. “At least I’ve still got you, buddy. Unlike Wesley, who clearly ditched the rest of us for romance. Come on, raise a ss with me.”


    Malcolm raised his own ss, clinking it against Jeffry’s, missing the fact that he was rubbing salt into Jeffry’s wounds.


    Malcolm tossed back his drink in one go and then shot Jeffry a questioning look. “Hey, don’t just sit there. I finished mine. Aren’t you going to keep up?”


    Jeffry didn’t bother replying. He picked up his ss, drained it, and reached for the bottle to pour himself another.


    Watching this, Malcolm’s smile faded into something closer to concern. “What’s gotten into you, man? Lydia’s back in town. What more do you want?”


    Pictures of Jeffry and Lydia together floated through Malcolm’s mind. With Lydia’s return, he’d expected Jeffry to be on top of the world. Instead, the guy looked more defeated than ever.


    Another drink filled Jeffry’s ss, but his thoughts seemed far away.


    Love, Malcolm thought, had a strange way of twisting people inside out. Wesley seemed to glow from within, swept up in something rare and wonderful. Yet Jeffry was sinking in grief, trying to findfort in drink. He began to wonder if these were the same friends he used to know.


    Buoyed by his sess in guiding Wesley on how to win Elena over, Malcolm stepped in with enthusiasm, ready to take charge of Jeffry’s romantic life and map out their next move. “Why bother sulking in this corner with a bottle? Lydia has no idea how you feel. Go camp outside her ce if you have to. Refuse to budge until she notices you. That’s how you get through to her. Just ask Wesley—he practically moved in downstairs until Elena finally gave in. Maybe it’s your turn to be persistent.”


    Malcolm spoke with a kind of reckless certainty, even though his own love life was a nk page.


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    Not once did Jeffry look up. His eyes stayed glued to the table, hiding everything.


    A few moments ticked by in tense silence. Abruptly, Jeffry snatched his jacket and walked out without another word.


    Waiting just outside, Elvin straightened when he saw Jeffry appear. He hurried to pull open the back door.


    Jeffry slid inside, the smell of whiskey trailing after him. He let the seat cradle his weight, eyes closed, head back.


    The rearview mirror caught Elvin’s anxious nce. “Would you like me to drive to Hillside Manor, Mr. Harper?”


    Only the hum of the engine filled the car. Elvin figured his boss would pass out before answering, but then Jeffry broke the silence. An address rasped from his lips.


    Elvin hesitated for a split second. “Understood,” he replied. If memory served, that was Lydia’s current apartment.


    Elvin had seen the messy past unfold between Jeffry and Lydia with his own eyes. Lately, Lydia had pulled away, her manner toward Jeffry distant and cold. Elvin had figured Jeffry would let go in time, but it was clear now that Jeffry’s heart was still caught up in whatever he felt for Lydia.


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