Chapter 192
Why are you staring at me like that?
Go get me some water.
I'm dying of thirst.
Julian Winston stood up with a dark expression.
The ice water jolted Olivia Lopez fully awake.
"Did you need something? Waiting so long for me... I feel a bit awkward."
While he was getting the water,
she put her clothes on.
She glanced at the time.
It was already 11 AM!
"Awkward? Since when does Miss Olivia Lopez get awkward? You seem perfectly fine to me!"
He exploded.
All his pent-up emotions burst out.
"Ordering me to get water so casually? If you're so capable, why don't you just fly to the moon?"
He even muttered a curse under his breath.
Olivia frowned. "Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed? Why so angry?"
"Who was that guy this morning? Care to explain?"
Olivia was baffled. "Explain what? Do you report every woman you sleep with to someone?"
The man was speechless for a moment. "I'm your boyfriend now! How do you think this makes me look?"
Olivia looked even more confused. "Correction: a fake one. Besides, I'm not fooling around publicly. What I do privately is none of your business."
"We agreed to see other people before this partnership. Did I break the agreement? Why are you yelling at me?"
Julian Winston: "…"
He couldn't win an argument with her!
It was infuriating!
Olivia looked around the room. "Your hotel is nice. Keep this room for me. I'll be back."
"!" There's going to be a next time?!
"Oh, and tell the front desk to give me another key card."
"…What for?"
"One for me, one to give to someone else!"
Wasn't it obvious?
Olivia suspected he was still drunk from last night.
Julian sneered. "Am I your servant? Do I owe you? No!"
He slammed the door on his way out.
Olivia watched his retreating figure.
She was completely bewildered.
After a long moment, she muttered two words—
"Psycho!"
Julian returned to his room.
The door shut with a heavy thud.
He first called the front desk. "Suite 1901. Do not issue any additional key cards! Understood?"
Then he called the manager. "Send ten women over here!"
Manager: "!"
T-ten?!
Danielle was regretting not seizing her chance yesterday.
She immediately volunteered. "I'll go!"
The manager was efficient.
Twenty minutes later.
He led a group of chattering women to the top-floor suite.
"Young Master, they're all here."
Julian glanced toward the opposite door.
He raised his voice. "Is that all ten?"
"Yes, yes, it is." The manager also spoke louder.
"Good! All of you, get in—"
The women swayed their hips into the room.
Giggling and chattering.
It was extremely lively.
The manager tactfully withdrew.
As he walked, he called the front desk. "Is the checkout for 1901 complete? The Young Master ordered the room to be kept long-term. Last night's stay is on his tab…"
"What did you say?"
"Young… Young Master?!"
The manager stared, dumbfounded, at Julian who had rushed out after him.
"What about 1901?"
Manager: "K-keeping the room and putting it on your tab…"
"The sentence before that."
"Young Master's orders…"
"Before that."
Manager: "1901 checkout?"
Julian: "She checked out?!"
"Y-yes, ten minutes ago."
"Damn—"
Manager: "?"
Julian: "Get those women out of here! They're annoying just to look at—"
Manager: "…" That's not what you said a moment ago.
Over here, it was all drama and exciting
A game of hearts pushed to the limit.
But over at Sophia Sullivan's place, it was as routine as ever.
She woke up naturally at seven.
Made breakfast.
Went out to buy groceries.
She returned from the market at nine.
As soon as she entered, she heard David Sullivan exclaim, "…I never expected you to be not only brilliant at research, but also so skilled at gardening!"
She paused while taking off her shoes.
Two seconds later.
A familiar voice came from the balcony. "You flatter me, Uncle."
Alexander Laurent.
Sophia put the groceries in the kitchen.
Poured two cups of the pear soup she had simmered that morning.
Then turned towards the balcony.
David Sullivan and Alexander Laurent sat with their backs to the door.
Each on a small stool.
Seven or eight flowerpots were laid out in front of them.
Soil and plants were piled beside them.
"Dad, Professor, some pear soup."
"You're back, Sophia? I had some free time today, so I'm repotting these. Several had root rot."
He reached out to take a cup.
But noticed his hands were dirty. "Wait, let me wash my hands first."
"Okay."
Alexander was much smarter.
He had worn disposable gloves.
He simply took them off.
And accepted the cup. "Thank you."
Sophia: "When did you get here, Professor?"
"Half an hour ago."
"No lab today?"
Alexander: "I'm going this afternoon."
"Then how did you…" end up at my place?
She didn't finish.
Alexander smiled. "I was coming back from my morning run and ran into your father taking out the trash."
David Sullivan couldn't just let him leave?
Upon learning he was free this morning,
and only going to the lab in the afternoon,
he immediately invited him over.
Alexander went back to shower and change.
He came over shortly after.
"Last time…" Sophia pursed her lips awkwardly. "I was… not myself. I'm sorry."
"Last time which time?" The man raised an eyebrow.
Sophia looked at him.
Unsure if he genuinely forgot or was teasing her.
"That time… when I invited you over for dinner. I had too much to drink, and then…"
Alexander's lips curved. "And then what?"
"I seemed drunk, I don't remember clearly…" what crazy thing I did! Did I offend you!
Alexander saw her embarrassment.
He took pity. "It was fine."
He paused.
Then added, "No big deal."
Aside from insisting on jumping up to knock his head,
finally wrinkling his shirt,
and messing up his hair,
it was nothing.
Sophia let out a long sigh of relief.
"Just… next time, maybe don't grab a man by the collar and ask him if he 'can do it or not'."
Sophia: "!"
The memory came flooding back.
"Let me knock your head! You knocked mine, why can't I knock yours?"
The man dodged helplessly.
But she grabbed his collar and yanked hard.
Their faces almost touched.
Alexander's breath hitched.
The drunk Sophia was completely unaware.
Her only thought was to knock his head in retaliation.
"Just once… can you? Say something! Can you do it or not?!"