Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

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 going, so it

had to help Lacey

her off in that state, so he had to bring

he helped her onto the

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

rubbed her head, mumbling

the blanket and tried to soothe her. "Just get some rest. I'll grab you some water in a sec." When I stepped out of the guest room, the

knocked back quite a few drinks tonight, so they were probably

headed downstairs to get

replayed everything

we just make

Ethan had done all

had no clue how many people were busting their

room door, I heard voices inside

But could you be less obvious about it? I have feelings too,

from the booze, and she sounded like she

future. Do you think I should've slept with that judge

back just to use me? Just to make me sleep with someone when you need it? Richard

at the door for a long time, until she hung up and her sobs started to fade. Then I turned the

streaming through the window was enough

the light, figuring she wouldn't want

a thing and said, "I brought you some water. Here are some hangover pills. Take 'em

struggled to sit up and lean against the headboard, taking the glass and

the pills and said, "Lacey,

me, giving a bitter smile. "What do you envy about

you still have family, that you're a boss at your

nothing. The more you know, the more you stress. I also wish I could stay a kid forever. Growing up just means seeing more crap, and my once innocent eyes

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 smiled gently. "Actually, you're tougher

have made it this far. Strength

"Calluses form from friction. It's painful, but once you have them, it doesn't hurt as much, and you're less likely to

on her hands, her smile now carrying a hint of youthful

I've got my calluses, so I won't get

Everyone's success comes with a price; only they know the pain of breaking out

leave the room, I stopped and turned back

moment, then slid under the covers, clutching the blanket

pills. But since they were both out cold, I

morning, considering they had all drunk the night

sleep, Lacey came downstairs with her hair tied up in a high ponytail,

seemed like a wounded little beast, fully recovered

wore different masks to