Chapter 255
Julian Winston recalled the recent scene of Isabella Langley's mother and her delinquent brother causing a commotion at Ethan Roscente's company.
He let out a soft, derisive snort.
It was fortunate the child was gone.
Otherwise, Mrs. Victoria Roscente would probably have cried herself into a faint.
The designated driver arrived quickly.
He pulled the car door open, ready to get in.
The restaurant manager hurried out after him.
"Sir, a moment please!"
Julian turned back.
The manager handed him a shawl.
"Items left behind in the private room. There's also a brooch. They must belong to one of the ladies..."
Sophia Sullivan and her family had already left.
The manager could only hand them to Julian, who had been at the same dinner.
"I'll take them."
He casually tossed the shawl onto the back seat.
He could just have a courier deliver it to Sophia Sullivan tomorrow.
"Let's go, driver."
On the way, Charlie Lowell called.
"Where are you? Everyone's waiting for you! Don't tell me you're chickening out?"
The background noise was loud and chaotic.
It was either a nightclub or a bar.
"Piss off! I'm almost there!"
Julian got the address.
He instructed the driver to change course and head to Slide Bar & Lounge.
Charlie slung an arm around his shoulders as they entered.
"In such a hurry? Just crawling out of some warm, welcoming bed?"
"A proper dinner. Stop talking nonsense."
Charlie smirked.
"Like I'd believe that."
"I have a girlfriend. Don't start rumors."
"Wasn't it fake?" Charlie said with a teasing grin.
Julian's smile vanished instantly.
"Who said that?"
"Olivia Lopez."
"When?"
Charlie thought for a moment.
"Last weekend, I think. Saw her with some guy at the tennis club. They looked pretty cozy..."
The man was teaching her how to serve, hands-on.
They were practically pressed together.
Charlie had immediately charged over, ready to throw a punch.
But then...
"Turns out you two are just fake dating, each doing your own thing. I almost hurt the wrong guy."
Charlie bumped his shoulder.
"You sure know how to play the game. Finding a shield like Olivia Lopez to deal with your family. Why can't I get that lucky?"
Julian walked into the private booth with a dark expression.
Charlie was baffled.
He was fine a moment ago.
Why the sudden mood swing?
He asked, but Julian just kept drinking.
Ethan Roscente frowned.
"What's his problem?"
Charlie shrugged.
"No idea. He just suddenly got like this."
"Boring." Ethan picked up his jacket. "I'm heading out."
"Don't go, Ethan... Everyone's here..."
Ethan glanced at Julian.
"Not interested in watching someone drown their sorrows."
He stood up.
Julian also set down his glass.
"Really is boring. I'm leaving too."
Charlie looked at the empty booth.
"Wait for me, you two..."
The three of them stood by the roadside waiting for their drivers.
Charlie felt a craving for a cigarette.
He patted his pockets but couldn't find a lighter.
He asked Julian for one.
"Get it yourself from the back seat."
Charlie opened the car door and bent down to search.
"Found it..."
He lit his cigarette and returned the lighter.
His eyes fell on the pale yellow shawl in the back seat.
"Since when do you like doing it in the car?"
Julian frowned.
"Doing what?"
"Isn't this shawl a woman's? Which wildflower left it behind?"
"Stop talking crap. It belongs to Sophia Sullivan's mother. I'm returning it to her tomorrow."
Charlie was surprised.
"Why is something of Sophia's mom's in your car?"
Ethan subtly pricked up his ears.
Julian's eyes shifted.
He deliberately played coy.
"There's a reason, of course..."
Charlie pressed.
"What reason?"
"None of your business."
"How is it none of my business? Sophia even came to visit me at the hospital before. Of course I care about her!"
Julian raised his voice slightly.
He glanced surreptitiously at Ethan.
"Sophia visited you when you were sick?"
Ethan turned slightly, pretending to be casual.
But he was listening intently.
Charlie nodded.
"Sophia was really good to me!"
Julian agreed.
"She is a good person. She even treated me to a seafood feast tonight."
Charlie was even more curious.
"Why treat you? Spit it out!"
Julian raised an eyebrow.
"There's a reason, of course."
Charlie was speechless.
Just then, the drivers arrived.
Julian turned and got into his car.
"I'm off."
Charlie waved dismissively.
But Ethan stared intently at the departing taillights.
Until they disappeared from view.
Why?
She was in close contact with Sebastian Evans.
She took the initiative to visit Charlie.
She could even have a meal with Julian and her family.
Yet she refused to spare him so much as an extra glance?
"Ethan?"
Charlie called his name several times.
Ethan snapped back to attention.
"What?"
"I asked where you're going later."
Ethan was silent for a moment.
"Got a cigarette?"
Charlie handed him one.
But then realized he had no light.
He'd just returned the lighter to Julian.
Ethan took the cigarette, rolling it between his fingers.
His gaze was unreadable, shifting between light and shadow.
He suddenly spoke softly.
"Charlie, do you think I was wrong?"