It was Lucius who abruptly stopped Violet from walking away by grabbing her arm.
When she looked up at him, tears filled her eyes, and she quivered like a grieving child.
He stood firmly before Violet, and told la, “This is Violet, she’s a fan of yours<b>.</b>”
“Is that so?” la responded warmly.
She wasn’t exactly surprised by Violet’s admiration, but by Lucius’s unexpected Introduction.
Despite her reservations, ia respectfully extended her hand to <b>shake </b>Violet’s, and greeted,
“Hello.”
ia’s reaction astonished Violet, and she hastily wiped her fingers before shaking hands with
her idol.
“Hello, Professor la.”
ia asked, “Did you study music?”
Violet answered somewhat awkwardly, “No, but I enjoy singing.”
Sydney had intended to embarrass Violet due to her loyalty to Emily.
Emily had instructed Sydney to humiliate Violet at every opportunity, for she wanted Violet to
suffer emotional torment for life, as she couldn’t be punished legally.
However, Sydney refrained from speaking when she saw ia’s respectful interaction with Violet and noticed Lucius’s presence. She walked away silently with her friends..
Violet and ia had a brief talk. Violet struggled to find words in the presence of her idol, and was
unsure of how to act.
“You’re so sweet. I believe you must be a nice girl,” la said to Violet, casting a thoughtful gaze
at Lucius<b>. </b>
Violet wasn’t that gullible. <b>She </b>realized immediately that her remark was in response to Sydney’s
earlier remarks. She almost moved to tears when she learned her idol had faith in her.
Stepping forward to shake ia’s hand, Violet said gratefully, “Professor ia, you’re so kind.”
ia soon went to attend to other business. Violet’s smile and the joy of seeing her idolsted as she watched her idol walk away.
+15 BONOS
She then noticed Lucius rubbing his temples, appearing exhausted and disgusted–clearly, he wasn’t enjoying the asion.
“Let’s go.” she suggested, heading towards the exit.
Lucius stumbled a little and said, “I’m drunk, give me a hand.”
Though he didn’t appear truly wasted, Violet appreciated his gesture to introduce her to ia and willingly assisted him. “Can you walk<b>?</b>”
He leaned forward and put most of his weight on her <b>as </b>he walked.
Violet felt overwhelmed, as if she were bearing a great weight, with each step taken with difficulty.
Her high heels furtherplicated her bnce, causing her to wobble unsteadily.
Lucius leaned his head on her shoulder. The faint scent of alcohol that exuded from his body was
surprisingly pleasant. Yet the overpowering aroma invaded her space, stirring a whirlwind of emotions within her.
“Can’t you stand up properly?” she asked, pushing at his shoulder, attempting to create some distance between them.
He remained unmoved, insisting<b>, </b>“Understand this, Violet. I wouldn’t be at this party if it weren’t for you. Do you think I’d let myself be drunk if not for waiting for ia with you?<b>” </b>
Though he said this. Violet doubted whether anyone could really force him to drink against his will. She inwardly questioned this, eventually helping him walk out with resignation.
His arm, which had found its way around her waist, gave the impression he was carrying her as they walked. Their proximity reflected an intimate rtionship.
Violet used considerable effort to get him into the car.
Once inside, she tried to push him away to create some space, but he wrapped his arms tightly
around her and wouldn’t let go.
“We’re already in the car,” she reminded him quietly<b>. </b>
Lucius merely acknowledged it with a hum.
“Please, sit properly,” she requested, feeling uneasy in his embrace.
“Don’t move,” he softlymanded. “I just want to rest.”
Violet resigned to the circumstances. She considered pinching him, but decided against when she
noticed his closed eyes and the visible signs of tiredness on him.
+15 BONOS
It was understandable, given that he had been working nonstop for days and needed to attend the party without rest. Anyone in his shoes, no matter how tough, would be exhausted.
Violet stopped moving<b>, </b>and let him hold her like afort cushion aspassion welled up
within <b>her</b>.
The mix of his faint alcohol scent and body fragrance was oddlyforting. Violet blinked, feeling. almost as if she too was under the influence of alcohol.
Lucius pressed her head into his chest, enabling her to feel his steady heartbeat and body heat through where they touched.
An hourter, they arrived at the hotel.
As the car stopped, Lucius suddenly opened his eyes, revealing a clear, cold gaze. There was no
trace of the weariness he had shown earlier.
Violet believed he was putting on a show, but would he go to such lengths? She quickly broke free
of his embrace and exited the car.
“What exactly happened?” Lucios asked abruptly.
Violet came to a halt and nced at him, puzzled.
“What does that woman mean when she ims you ruined someone?” he pressed further.
Her heart sank with despair. She had repeatedly exined the situation, but no one believed her. She feared Lucius, too, would see her in a negative light.