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.

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

Jason had

off in that state, so he

though. When he helped her onto the guest room bed,

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

her head, mumbling about

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 villa

few drinks tonight, so they were probably

headed downstairs to get

the kettle, I replayed everything

we just make things

done all he

in prison, had no clue how many people were busting their butts

I got back to the guest room door, I heard voices inside and instinctively

known I'm not as important to you as Richard. But could you be less obvious about it? I have feelings too,

and she sounded

virginity is nothing compared to Richard's future. Do you think

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 me like

long time, until she hung up and

moonlight streaming through the window was enough to see everything

she wouldn't want

you some water. Here are some hangover

sit up and lean against the headboard, taking the glass and muttering

her take the pills and said, "Lacey, I actually envy you

and looked at me, giving a bitter smile. "What do you

boss at your job, capable, and can work a room

you stress. I also wish I could stay a kid forever. Growing up just means seeing more crap, and my once innocent eyes can't stay

But as you get older, you learn to keep a poker face. Our toughness comes from swallowing a lot of

at me for a bit, then smiled gently. "Actually,

If I were, I wouldn't have made it this far.

It's painful, but once you have them, it doesn't hurt as much, and you're

cheeks resting on her hands, her smile now carrying

my calluses, so I won't

too. Everyone's success comes with a price; only they know the pain of

the room, I stopped and turned back to

for a moment, then slid under the covers, clutching the

give Jason and Ethan some hangover pills. But

considering they had all drunk the night before, I made some

hair tied

seemed like a wounded little beast, fully

fact, everyone wore different masks to