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.

already had a few drinks earlier, and she kept going,

Jason had

couldn't just drop her off in that state, so he had to bring her

though. When he helped her onto the guest

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

rubbed her head, mumbling

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 whole

a few drinks

headed downstairs to get some

replayed

just

Ethan had done

had no clue how

the guest room

important to you as Richard. But could you be less obvious about it? I have

she

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

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 me like this?" Lacey's voice got more emotional, her crying louder and

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

window was enough to

turn on the light, figuring she wouldn't want me to see her tear-streaked,

thing and said, "I brought you

up and lean against the headboard, taking the glass and muttering a thank

her take the pills and said, "Lacey, I

glass down and looked at me, giving

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

I knew nothing. The more you know, the more you stress. I also wish I

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

a bit, then smiled gently.

I were, I wouldn't have made it this far. Strength is something you pick up

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

resting on her hands,

my calluses, so I won't get

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

while, as I was about to leave the room, I stopped and turned back to her. "By the way,

me for a moment, then slid under the

Ethan some hangover pills.

morning, considering they had all drunk

hair tied up

beast, fully recovered after a

to live better and avoid

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