Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 96

Chapter 96 Endurance Builds a Broad Mind

Mark shot Ethan a look, then glanced at me and chuckled. "Wait, is Lacey Ethan's woman? If so, man, Ethan's one lucky dude."

That comment made my skin crawl.

I was dying to see how Ethan would handle this.

If Ethan confirmed it, I'd be mortified. If he denied it, Mark, the creep, wouldn't leave Lacey alone.

I nervously fiddled with the tablecloth, staring at my plate, feeling super tense.

"She's my girlfriend!" A different voice cut through the awkward silence.

I snapped my head up. Jason was already on his feet, shrugging off his suit jacket and draping it over Lacey, covering her wine-soaked, nearly see-through dress. Mark slowly set his wine glass down, a sly smile playing on his lips.

"Lacey looks pretty young, but she's already got a boyfriend, huh?"

I bet Lacey was totally grossed out by Mark, but she still managed to keep a smile on her face.

"Excuse me, I need to hit the restroom."

To sell the act, Jason walked Lacey out.

Jason's move not only saved Lacey but also got Ethan and me out of that cringe-worthy moment.

After they left, the vibe had totally shifted. It was buzzing earlier, but now it felt like a freezer.

I figured the whole event was a bust.

When Lacey came back, she seemed to have pulled herself together.

Ignoring the water stains on her dress, still wrapped in Jason's jacket, she smiled and raised her wine glass. "Sorry about that, I wasn't feeling too hot earlier."

With that, she poured herself another drink and knocked it back.

Mark leaned back in his chair, watching her with a lazy grin.

After setting down her glass, Lacey wiped her lips with the back of her hand and brought up Richard's case.

Mark stood up, leaning on the table, his face red from the booze, but trying to act all serious.

"We're just here to chill with Ethan, not talk shop. Whatever the case is, we're fair and square, all about the evidence." With that vague statement, they bounced.

The gathering ended just like that, and we still had no answers about Richard's case.

and she kept

left, Jason had to help

that state, so he had to bring her back

When he helped her onto

took off first. I stayed to help her get her shoes off and tucked

rubbed her head,

"Just get some rest. I'll grab you some water

Jason had knocked back quite a few

headed downstairs to

replayed everything that went

we just make things

Ethan had done

had no clue how many people were busting their

I got back to the guest room door, I

I've always known I'm not as important to you as Richard. But

she sounded like

to Richard's future. Do you

you bring me back just to use me? Just to make me sleep with someone when you need it? Richard messed up, and I've tried my best. We're both your kids. Why do you treat

time, until she hung up and

window was enough

on the light, figuring she wouldn't

brought you some water. Here are some hangover pills. Take 'em and get

lean against the headboard, taking the glass

and said, "Lacey,

looked at me, giving a bitter smile. "What

that you're a boss at your job, capable,

wish I could stay a kid

smallest stuff feels like the end of the world. But as you get older, you learn to keep a poker face. Our toughness

a bit, then

isn't my thing. If I were, I wouldn't have made it this far. Strength is

I added, "Calluses form from friction. It's painful, but once you have them, it doesn't hurt as much, and

thoughtfully, her flushed cheeks resting on her hands, her smile now carrying a hint of

got my calluses, so I

price; only they know the pain

was about to leave the room, I stopped and turned back to her.

for a moment, then slid under

some hangover pills. But

all drunk the night

with her hair tied up in a high ponytail, back to her

beast, fully

different masks to

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