“Are you okay, Shirley?”

Shirley ignored those concerned voices. Instead, she looked up to Zeke, who was slumped on the couch and clutching his head in distress.

“Z-Zeke! Why did you get mad and pushed me off?” she blurted out, pouting.

Zeke froze briefly, then narrowed his eyes and frowned at Shirley. “You drugged me and then took advantage of that to sleep with me?” he questioned.

He was sure that he had an intimate encounter with a woman, but he wasn't sure who it was. His mind went blank, and all he could remember was that it was someone he was familiar with.

Other than Shirley, he couldn't think of any other woman who would possibly do that.

Da*n it! This woman...

Zeke's face fell, and he coldly said, “I've already accepted the dinner invitation, which shows that I have relented and am prepared to marry you. Why do you have to resort to such a disgusting ploy?”

Ashen-faced, Shirley quickly tried to explain, “No, no, it wasn't me! I did not drug you! You were already in delirium when I came in, and when I went to check on you, you... you...”

She threw herself into Waverly's arms and started sobbing. “Mrs. Shurmer, I did not do that! I really did not drug Zeke! Please believe me!” she whined.

Waverly patted Shirley on her back to console her as she turned around to reprimand Zeke. “Rascal! How dare you accuse Shirley when it was you who lost control of yourself and took advantage of her? She was with me all the time until she came looking for you and found you in a confused state of mind. How is it possible she's the one who drugged you?” she chided.

Zeke frowned and looked toward the coffee table.

His wine glass had disappeared, and there was nothing on the table.


His expression darkened as he realized someone had already removed all evidence of their sneaky act.

He was positive Shirley was the one who set him up.

Alas, he had fallen into her trap, and there was no turning back time to undo his mistake.

It was a fact that he had slept with her, so their fates were entwined, and he could not disassociate from her anymore.

Sternly, Waverly told Zeke, “Many of our family and friends are outside, and they all know there is some hanky-panky going on between you and Shirley. Both of you can't back out of your marriage arrangement now. Go wash up and then get back to the hall to entertain the guests.”

With that, she helped Shirley up and said, “Let's go to the restroom to freshen up, Shirley. I'm sorry you had to go through this nonsense, my poor girl. Rest assured the Shurmer family will make amends to you for this.”

Putting on a pathetic act, she shakily walked off with Waverly while softly crying, “I really didn't drug him, Mrs. Shurmer... I didn't.”

“Of course, my dear. I know you didn't do that. Ignore what that rascal said. He knew he did wrong and was merely trying to find an excuse. I will not let him malign you in this manner!” Waverly reassured her.

Veins were popping on his temple as a distressed Zeke watched the two ladies leave.

He tried hard to recall what had happened but drew a blank in his mind. His foggy and heavy brain could only remember vaguely that it was a very familiar face. Begrudgingly, he was convinced and accepted it was Shirley whom he shared that intimate time with.

“Fu*k...”

He couldn't help but let out a string of swear words as he bemoaned his bad luck.

...

In the hall at an unknown mansion, Holden was seated leisurely on a couch, and a man in black was standing in front of him.

“What did you find out?” Holden asked.

“They are staying in a resort in the suburb. As it was a highly secured base of the Hoffman family, I could not get closer to find out more,” the man in black replied.

Holden stopped swirling the glass of wine in his hand, looked up, and casually asked, “Where did they confine the young fella?”

“At the same location, but he has more people guarding him. If you wish to have more detailed information about him, I can try to sneak in during the night to find out,” the man offered.

Holden waved him off, saying, “Let me think about it. Don't do anything rash and blow your cover.”

“Noted.”

After the man in black left, Holden dug into his pocket and fished out a photo.

It was a photo of Sebastian.
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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