When There Is Nothing Left But Love

Tessa then walked up to me and asked me to sing with her.

I was no idiot; it was clearly a business maneuver on Derek’s part to use alcohol and pretty ladies as a social lubricant to loosen Ashton up in order to help their subsequent business discussion.

I did not like singing, and Tessa’s incessant pestering was starting to get under my skin.

I finally stood up and said, “It’s late, we should head back to Nora and Armond.”

Tessa was momentarily taken aback, but quickly replaced her expression with a smiling face. “There’s no rush. Let’s have more fun here before we go!”

She then poured me a glass of wine before she continued to persuade me to stay, “Scarlett, since we are now officially friends, we should drink for it!”

This woman is just too calculative to be a good candidate for either a friend or a colleague.

But since the wine glass was already pushed into my hand, it would be rather rude for me to decline.

Before the glass touched my lips, a hand flashed before my eyes and took over the glass.

When I turned around, Ashton had already downed the glass of wine for me.

Before I snapped out of my bewilderment, Tessa said alluringly, “Mr. Fuller, are you trying to be a hero to the damsel in distress?”

seductive laugh. The result of which was somewhat disturbing, because, rather than a Cinderella,

Fuller, I have known Scarlett a long time, but I have no idea she knows someone as charming as you. It’s such a pleasure meeting you today. Let’s keep in touch and maybe we can hang out sometime. Cheers to a new friendship!” It was the classic playbook for “How to

was in his mind when he took over a drink from Tessa and clinked glass with her.

time Ashton had addressed her directly. “Ah, don’t mention it. Scarlett and I had been through

hearing this, Ashton was a little startled when he shifted his gaze at me quizzically. “Life

wished Tessa would just

to Venria not long ago and had been through hell, almost losing our lives. We barely managed to

grew increasingly inexplicable by the second. He darted a glance at Joseph

down next to Tessa and they started chatting away. Before

thought

hide that from

I

in my ear next moment, “I don’t know the meaning of freedom, so I will not let you go. Since you

heart.

you wish to torture me, you may continue so,” I said while attempting to sound calm and

tightened around me. “Do you have to

pursed my lips and downed a

times to strike up a conversation with Ashton, but each time, her attempt was blocked by