Ch. 291..300
Chapter 291
Loretta looked confused. “Why can’t you go?”
Sally hesitated. She was unsure how to respond. Mila sniggered and left the sick room without saying a word.
Naturally, Sally couldn’t be in Sunterland. Surveillance cameras were everywhere in
Sunterland, and facial recognition would identify her upon entry, She would undoubtedly be arrested within seconds as a most wanted fugitive.
Even if she managed to avoid the surveillance cameras, Mila knew she wouldn’t be able to pass. the facial and fingerprint recognition during the documentation process. Moreover, Sally Hoffis was a highly classified researcher at Sunterland.
Mila went upstairs and happened to see Phoebe coming her way.
“Mila, I handed Mr. Morrison the clothes and the food,” Phoebe whispered.
“Okay.” Mila nodded.
“Where have you been?”
Mila pointed to Zach’s sick room.
“How is Mr. Hoffis Senior doing?”
Mila murmured in Phoebe’s ear, “He’s fine, He’s just pretending to be sick. Since I got Sally and Oliver into conflict, my grandparents are safe, at least for now.”
“What do
you
mean?”
“Sally’s not getting my grandparents into trouble for now because Norvanian law doesn’t allow foreigners to inherit Norvanian property.” Mila grinned.
Phoebe understood all at once. She blinked and exclaimed, “Mila, you’re incredible.”
“You should take the opportunity to sneak into Oliver’s and Sally’s room and see if you can find any information about my parents,” Mila suggested.
“I will.”
“Just be careful.” Mila patted her on the shoulder.
“Got it.”
Mila nodded in response and headed for the room. Yet, Phoebe suddenly turned and said, Mila, I bought some masks for you. Be careful not to catch a cold.”
Mila nodded guiltily before entering the room. Wearing a mask now probably wouldn’t make
much difference since she had fed Nathan medicine and water by mouth last night. She closed and locked the door.
Nathan was dressed in black leisure wear, staring silently at the torrential rain outside the window with his hands in his pockets. Tall and slender, his silhouette seemed even more forlorn against the dark
storm in the background.
A gloomy atmosphere hung over the room. Mila slowly walked over and stood next to Nathan. Outside, the trees were devastated by the storm.
“Nate, you’re still sick. You need to rest more. Have you taken your medicine?” Mila’s gazel was on his profile.
Nathan looked somber, but he spoke in an incredibly gentle voice, “I’m fine.”
“You fainted last night. How is that fine?”
“Wanda, Daniel’s awake,” Nathan said.
Mila gripped Nathan’s arm and asked excitedly, “Really? Has Dan passed the critical stage? How is he doing now? What was the doctor’s report?”
Nathan shifted his gaze toward Mila, who was smiling sweetly. He could tell that she cared. about Daniel very much. “I just got the news, and I haven’t had a chance to see him yet.”
“I want to see him, too.” Mila released her hands. Her face fell with a sigh when she looked at the weather outside. “But we can’t go anywhere in such weather.”
Nathan smiled bitterly as he felt the pain and discomfort deep in his heart.
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Chapter 292
In the past, Wanda and Nathan had the closest relationship and often hung out together. However, Wanda had always admired Daniel. Nathan always heard Wanda complimenting
Daniel.
There was no denying that Daniel had been a charismatic figure at school during his youth. He was the captain of the basketball team and a top student who had secured admission to a prestigious university.
Everyone thought he was a genius, but he firmly decided to enter the police academy.
Daniel and Wanda were gifted students who always came out on top. Nathan worked hard to keep up with Wanda so he could be her equal. Eventually, he made a name for himself in his career and was on par with Wanda, but she didn’t love him.
“Wanda, if you want to see Daniel, I’ll have Cole pick you up.” Nathan’s voice sounded sad.
Mila shook her head. She was afraid that she had caught Nathan’s cold. She didn’t want to spread it to Daniel in the hospital.
“Forget it. I’ll visit Dan with flowers and fruits when the weather’s clear. Getting soaked in this rain would be embarrassing.”
Nathan’s eyes were like a bottomless pit. His gaze was fondly on her profile. His heart felt like it was pierced with needles when he heard that Wanda was afraid to appear unkempt around Daniel, which probably meant that she continued to love and admire him.
Although Nathan had grown up trying to outdo Daniel and become Wanda’s ideal type, he knew he could never be Daniel.
Mila accidentally caught Nathan’s eye when she looked up, and he immediately glanced off to the window. She felt nervous for some reason, and her heart was racing.
“Nate, why don’t you get something to eat and rest?” she asked. “You still need to take your meds.”
Nathan answered with a hum and left the window. He opened a bottle of water and swallowed his pills. Mila scowled. “Why didn’t you eat something? You shouldn’t take medicine on an empty stomach.”
“I’m not hungry,” Nathan replied. He sat on the edge of the bed and watched the storm outside in subdued spirits.
Mila felt he was probably depressed because of his illness. She went to sit next to Nathan.” Nate, you must look after yourself. You should take medicine when you’re sick, and it’s common sense to eat before taking medicine. You’re an adult. Do you still need someone to tell
you?”
Nathan turned to her with a gentle smile on his face. “Wanda, you’ve gotten quite naggy.” Mill
expression clouded over with displeasure. She opened the take–out box. Inside were chicken pies and some pastries.
She took one of the pastries and walked over to Nathan. “Nate, open up your mouth. I’ll feed you.”
Nathan shrank back and looked at her in surprise.
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Chapter 293
Nathan took the pastry from her and said, “Thanks. I can eat on my own.”
Mila watched him in silence. Her feelings were somewhat complicated.
Nathan had been so persistent with her before their divorce. After she made her stance clear, he stopped bothering her. Everything went as Mila wanted, but she couldn’t help feeling hurt.
She had also been working hard to control herself. They weren’t impulsive teenagers anymore. Love was no longer the most important thing. Life had more important matters than love.
Nathan took a bite of the pastry. He chewed slowly, but it seemed tasteless. After Mila brought over the whole box of pastry, she sat down next to Nathan, and they ate together.
It had been a long time since they sat quietly next to each other and shared the same box of food. There were no unnecessary words between them. They simply accompanied each other.
“How much longer do you think this rain will last?” Mila heaved a sigh.
Nathan’s gaze grew deeper, and he stopped eating. He was hoping that the rain would last a little bit longer. At least then, he could spend more time with Mila.
After a while, Nathan’s phone rang. He took out his phone and looked at the caller ID. He hesitated for a few seconds before answering.
Mila bit into her pastry. Her eyes fixed on Nathan, and her ears pricked up.
“Hey, Fenna. What’s up?” Nathan asked.
Mila froze. Fenna was Nathan’s close friend, an able woman who worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Her heart pounded nervously.
“All right, got it.” After Nathan finished speaking, he walked to the balcony and slid open the glass door.
Mila quickly put down what she’d been eating and caught up with him. “Nate, where are you going?”
The moment the door opened, a cold wind swept through the curtains. The pouring rain
outside was daunting.
Nathan turned to her and said
sel “since you’ve made up your mind and I can’t
convince you to leave, I don’t have to waste time here with you.
“It’s raining hard out there, and you’re still sick. Wait until the rain stops if you want to leave.”
“It’s not necessary,” Nathan replied indifferently.
Mila’s heart hurt even more. “Nate.”
Nathan turned his back on her. The stormy weather didn’t scare him. He was only concerned about Mila. “Call if you need anything,” Nathan said softly.
He stepped out onto the balcony and jumped over the railing. Mila’s face went pale with fear.
Ignoring the rain, she rushed out and grabbed hold of the railing. The cold rain drenched her, and the wind made her shiver.
She watched as Nathan landed on the first–floor window ledge before he jumped to the ground. Two graceful leaps were all it took for him to land effortlessly on the ground from ten feet up.
The rain drenched his body, but he remained steadfast. His silhouette seemed forlorn as he gradually disappeared into the pouring rain.
Mila’s eyes watered. She couldn’t tell if it was the tears or the rain. All she knew was that her heart became unbearably heavy.
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Chapter 294
The rain went on for a very long time. After it stopped, Mila fell sick. She was probably infected with Nathan’s virus. She spent three days in bed with the illness.
Besides taking care of Mila, Phoebe had to secretly investigate Oliver for information about Mila’s parents. Mila’s cold was completely gone a week later.
At the quiet hour of 2:00 am, Mila quietly entered Zach’s sick room. After locking the door, she opened the app on her phone and scanned the room. The app showed that besides a surveillance camera, there were two hidden cameras in the room.
Mila activated the signal blocker. After a few seconds, all the cameras and signaling devices stopped working. She walked up to the bed and whispered in Zach’s ear, “Grandpa, can you hear me?”
Zach remained still. Mila touched his hand and continued, “Grandpa, can you hear
ar me?”
Mila smiled in relief when she saw Zach’s fingers move a little. She reassured, “Don’t worry, I’ve jammed every single camera.”
Zach slowly looked toward Mila. The warm light in the sick room made the room seem a little dim, but Mila could clearly see that Zach had opened his eyes. His gaze was still sharp, not that of a seriously ill patient.
“Grandpa, you awake?” Mila asked with a lowered voice.
With tears in his eyes, Zach spoke hoarsely, “Sally! You are the real Sally. I realized we had made a mistake when I saw you in Sudvilla.”
Mila gently touched his hand, comforting him, “Grandpa, don’t say those things now. It’s all my fault. Losing my memory for three years gave the bad guys a chance.”
“Leave quickly and never come back. Run for your life.” Zach choked up.
Tears welled up in Mila’s eyes. “Grandpa, I can’t just abandon you and Grandma.”
“You silly goose.”
“Grandpa, have you been pretending to be sick from the beginning? Or are they trying to hurt you?”
Zach’s hands trembled as he said angrily, “Oliver is an ingrate. He poisoned me. I was lucky enough to be saved in the hospital. But I dare not wake up before him, or he’ll poison me again.
“So you keep pretending to be sick?”
Zach nodded. “I bribed the attending doctor to hide the fact that I’m conscious. I got him to tell them that I didn’t have much time left. It was my way out of a close call.”
Mila sighed. “Grandma’s too blunt. She can’t hide what she’s feeling. I dare not tell her about my identity.”
Zach nodded understandingly. A sudden thought struck him and he clasped Mila’s hand.
“Sally, why did you change your citizenship? What’s the reason? You’re the only one left standing from the Hoffises. Who will inherit my considerable wealth if you change your citizenship?”
Mila stroked his hand. “Grandpa, I’ll explain when the time is right. Right now, my
ow my most important task is to keep you and Grandma safe and to find my parents.”
“Your parents are alive? They’re alive?”
“Yes, they probably do. I don’t believe they’re dead, so I have to find them.”
Zach closed his eyes and shed tears in silence. Mila’s unwavering faith rekindled the hope in
him.
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Chapter 295
“Grandpa, I’m leaving.” Mila touched Zach’s cheek and whispered, “You don’t have to pretend to be sick anymore if lying in bed gets tiring. The fake Sally won’t let anything happen to you for now.”
As soon as Zach and Loretta were dead, all of the property would fall into Oliver’s hands. The fake Sally would never let go of such a huge advantage.
“All right, I understand,” Zach replied gently.
Mila quietly left the sick room after saying goodbye to Zach.
The next day, Phoebe told Mila that Loretta had taken Sally to Hoffis Corporation. Loretta introduced Sally to the members of the board of directors and got her a position as the vice president of the corporation.
Sally wanted to inherit the wealth of the Hoffises, but she didn’t dare to change her citizenship in Sunterland.
However, she came up with another idea–marry a Norvanian and let her husband inherit it. She could then get half the property of her husband.
“Mila, your grandma has taken Sally to see General Morrison. Sally’s dowry is the entire Hoffis Corporation. Her husband is going to be the richest man in Norvania! No man in the world can resist such a temptation,” Phoebe said.
Her words had left Mila feeling dazed and disoriented all day. The entire Hoffis fortune would probably end up in Sally’s hands if she got married.
The grand living room was filled with laughter and joy in the evening. Mila and Phoebe came
out of their rooms.
Loretta and Sally were hanging out in the living room with unusual cheerfulness. There were dozens of expensive sets of jewelry on the coffee table, and Sally was excitedly trying them on.
When Sally saw Mila coming down the stairs, she announced haughtily, “Suzanne, I want to share some good news–Nate has agreed to marry me.
Mila wasn’t buying it. She sat on the couch with Phoebe and watched calmly as Sally showed off the jewelry in her hands.
“Sally’s wish has come true. I can finally be at peace,” Loretta said with a satisfied smile.
With a grin, Sally replied, “Grandma, Nate has been in love with me for many years. Our
marriage would not have been delayed until now if his grandma hadn’t forced him to marry someone he didn’t love.”
Loretta glared at Mila. “You’re right. Luckily, everything is back on the right track now.”
Mila slowly began to realize that their words were true. Her face grew pale, and her heart ached, but she remained calm.
“Madam Hoffis, did Nathan promise this himself?” she asked.
“Of course, what man in this world wouldn’t want to be a part of the Hoffises? A marriage to Sally is a guarantee of being the richest man in Norvania. Besides, Nate and Sally are in love. with one another,” Loretta replied.
Mila clutched the hem of her clothes.
Sally spotted it and smirked. “Suzanne, I told you Nate would divorce you and marry me. You should look at yourself. Don’t you have any idea who you are? Don’t you have any self- awareness?”
Sally slipped on the emerald bracelet and lifted her hand to admire it.
With a wry smile, Mila asked, “Ms. Hoffis, who are you marrying Nathan as? Sally Hoffis of Norvania or Wanda Hoffis of Sunterland?”
Sally scowled at Mila.
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Chapter 296
Loretta’s expression turned grave. “Suzanne, aren’t you interfering a bit too much? Our affairs. have nothing to do with you. And please, take your friend and move out right now.”
Mila was stunned.
Loretta sat in a graceful posture and spoke deliberately, “Back then, I was afraid that you would bother Nate at Sudvilla. That’s why I agreed to let you stay at our place.
“You can no longer be with Nate now that he has agreed to marry Sally. I don’t care where you go, but you must leave Hoffis Manor.”
Mila forced a smile and replied calmly, “I’ll leave, but not now.”
“I have let you stay here for ten days. I’ve reached my limit, and it’s not up to you to decide. Leave today, or my men will show you the door and take you to the police,” Loretta warned.
Phoebe turned to Mila and said, “Mila, let’s get out of here.”
Mila’s eyes bored into Loretta’s. She couldn’t bring herself to hate her. Loretta was her grandmother, after all.
Mila was already at the end of her rope with Sally and Oliver, but Loretta was still adding fuel to the fire.
There would be no one to protect Zach and Loretta if Mila and Phoebe left Hoffis Manor. Mila remained worried even with Nathan’s men around.
“I’m not leaving,” Mila emphasized each word.
Sally couldn’t contain her anger and got to her feet. “Are you out of your mind?”
“Nathan should have been my husband. Now that I’ve handed him over to you, harm in me staying here a little longer?” Mila argued.
what’s the
Loretta took a stack of checks out of her bag. She slowly filled in the amounts and signed them before handing them to Mila.
“This will buy you a nice villa, and you’ll have no worries for the rest of your life.”
Mila didn’t accept the check. She felt hurt that Loretta had tried to pay her off again.
She didn’t think Nathan would marry Sally for the sake of wealth. She knew that Nathan’s marriage to Sally would be a way of cutting Oliver out of the inheritance. This would make Oliver think twice before hurting Zach and Loretta.
Mila leaned close to Phoebe’s ear and whispered, “Phoebe, stay here and watch over my grandpa. I’ll be back soon.”
“Okay,” Phoebe answered quietly.
Mila left without another thought.
“she’s gone, why aren’t vou
leaving?” Loretta questioned.
Phoebe smiled thinly and replied in a sweet tone, “Madam Hoffis, I’m going back to my room for now. I’ll let you know when I’m ready to leave.”
She then went up the stairs.
Sally pointed at Phoebe with a displeased expression. “Grandma, what’s wrong with her?”
Loretta frowned. She seemed lost in thought.
After leaving Hoffis Manor, Mila hailed a taxi. The night sky was pitch black. Vehicles whizzed by under the bright neon lights of the busy avenue.
It had been eight days since the last time she had seen Nathan, when he had fallen ill at Hoffis
Manor.
Mila called Nathan’s number. He answered right away as if he had expected her to call him that night.
“Wanda.”
“Nate, where
are ded tender and seductive.
“Nate, where are you? I want to see you tonight.”
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Chapter 297
“Where are you? I’ll come over.” Nathan sounded meek.
A warm feeling rose in Mila’s chest. “Don’t worry. I’m already on my way over. Just tell me where we can meet. Shall we meet in Sudvilla?”
“No, I’ll send you a location.”
“Okay. See you in a bit.”
After hanging up, Mila received the location from Nathan. After telling the driver where to go, she looked out the window at the night scenery with a heavy heart.
She hadn’t figured out how to talk to Nathan about his marriage to Sally. She had impulsively decided to meet Nathan because she didn’t want him to get married to Sally.
Such a fine man deserved a better woman, not a criminal.
The car came to a stop half an hour later. The driver announced, “We’re here.”
Mila glanced around before pulling out her wallet for the fare. Just then, the driver’s window was tapped. Somebody handed the money through the window to the driver.
“Thank you,” said the driver joyfully.
Mila’s car door was pulled open before she realized what was happening.
“Come on, Wanda.” Nathan’s deep voice was pleasant. It was like a breeze that calmed the soul.
After Mila stepped out of the car, she saw the person she was all too familiar with–Nathan.
He looked elegant and handsome in a white shirt and black pants. They were standing in front of the picturesque Alpine Estate.
“Nate,” Mila greeted nervously. She hadn’t expected him to pick her up outside the estate.
“I’m meeting some friends inside. Join us if you don’t mind,” Nathan said casually with one hand in his pocket.
Mila nodded. “Sure.”
They walked side by side toward the estate. The main street of the estate was lined with tall trees that were decorated with aesthetic lights, and the flower beds were brimming with a variety of flowers. The warm yellow glow of the lights made the atmosphere look especially cozy at night.
“Nate, are you feeling better?” Mila asked caringly.
“I’m fine. Why were you looking for me in such a hurry? Is anything wrong?”
Clutching her phone, Mila summoned the courage to ask, “Are you going to marry Sally?”
Nathan hummed in reply. He slowed his pace to let Mila catch up.
Though mentally prepared, Mila was still heartbroken: She turned her teary eyes to Nathan. Why? You know what kind of person she is. Why do you still want to marry her?”
Nathan walked on in silence.
“There is no Sally Hoffis. Under what identity is she marrying you?”
“As Wanda Hoffis.”
“Nate, have you lost your mind?”
Nathan turned to Mila when he realized he hadn’t caught up with her. He felt a sharp pain in his heart when he saw the troubled look in her eyes.
He smiled wryly. “Were you ever in love with me, Wanda, in our childhood or after the loss of your memory?”
Mila fell silent. She was afraid to answer.
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Chapter 298
Mila noticed Nathan’s bloodshot eyes were full of hope. She couldn’t bear to see him. disappointed, but she dared not tell him the truth.
“Was there never any love between us?” Nathan asked. He pretended to be calm, but his voice trembled slightly.
Mila bit her lip in restraint. Time passed, but she still dared not tell Nathan the truth. “What does this have to do with you getting married to Sally?”
“I get it.” Nathan understood what she meant to say.
He forced a sour grin and dropped his head. A deep sense of gloominess washed over him.
Mila’s heart was bleeding. She knew Nathan wouldn’t get it. She loved him deeply, but their social standing was too different.
She couldn’t be the bride of a Norvanian general. Marrying him would mean giving up research career in Sunterland.
Love was truly insignificant compared to national affairs. She had already given up on inheriting the fortune of the Hoffises, not to mention her love for him. 2
her
“Nate, you deserve a better woman. Sally doesn’t deserve you. She’s even taking advantage of my identity. I won’t let you marry her.”
Nathan smiled unconcernedly. “She’s already used her connections to get your identification. papers reissued at Sunterland.”
Mila was in disbelief.
Nathan continued, “She wouldn’t dare apply for citizenship in Sunterland, but she can use your ID to get married in Norvania. So even if she doesn’t marry me, she can marry someone else and inherit the Hoffises‘ fortune.
“You have only two choices–either tell everyone that you are Wanda Hoffis, or let Sally use your identity to get married, and your grandpa’s will would take effect.”
Mila clenched her fists and angrily declared, “She can’t use my identity to marry you, absolutely not.”
It was eerily quiet, except for the sound of cicadas.
Mila’s words tore through Nathan’s heart like a thousand arrows. Hiding his pain with a smile, he turned his eyes toward the pitch–black horizon. Tears blurred his eyes.
Mila didn’t notice anything wrong with Nathan in the dim yellow light. “I’ll reveal my identity if I can’t stop her. I can always fake amnesia and keep fooling Oliver as long as I’m not making
him suspicious.”
“You’d rather risk revealing your identity than have Sally marry me with your identity, is that it?” Nathan let the wind dry his eyes.
“Wanda Hoffis can never marry you.”
“Got it.” Nathan walked on. Mila hastened to catch up with him.
Heartbroken but calm, Nathan said, “I won’t marry Wanda Hoffis or Sally Hoffis since you don’t agree.”
“Thanks, Nate,” Mila replied softly.
Nathan stayed silent. The two walked through several scenic pathways and reached an
elegantly private room. All eyes inside turned to them as they pushed open the door. Mila froze on the spot.
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Chapter 299
Socializing was Mila’s greatest fear. There were about ten people at the large table in the private room. She didn’t know anyone except Cameron and Fenna.
All of them were of a similar age to Nathan and looked dignified and imposing. Mila felt nervous and wanted to leave.
Nathan whispered from behind her, “Go ahead.”
Mila slowly entered the room.
“Meet my friend, Wanda,” Nathan said calmly after the door had closed.
Mila glanced at Nathan with astonishment before giving everyone an awkward smile and a
nod.
“Wanda, these are my comrades and friends,” Nathan said gently.
“Hi everyone,” Mila greeted.
“I’ve never seen Nate with a woman before-”
Fenna interrupted in displeasure, “Am I not a woman?”
Laughter rippled through the room as they continued to tease Fenna.
Nathan led Mila to sit next to him and placed a set of utensils in front of her. He leaned in and whispered, “They’re all on our side. Just relax”
Mila nodded meekly. After setting her phone down on the table, she looked around at
everyone.
Judging by their clothing and demeanor, they were no ordinary people. Those who could address Nathan as Nate were either influential, close friends with Nathan, or both.
Cameron came over and poured some wine for Mila. “Shall I call you Suzanne or Wanda?”
“Either one’s fine.” Mila smiled.
After Cameron filled her glass, he pointed to Nathan’s wine and said, “Don’t be like him. No matter how much we tru
to convince him, he never drinks at gatherings. Such a buzzkill.”
“Cam, there’s no such rule about drinking at a gathering, is there? Nate’s just showing self- restraint,” Fenna chimed in with displeasure.
“Boring.” Cameron snorted. Others joined in and teased Nathan for being a party pooper.
Cameron poured himself one. “Wanda, nice to meet you. I’ll toast you here.”
Mila immediately reached for a glass of water. Cameron acted fast and replaced it with wine. ” Drink up.”
He clinked her glass and downed the wine in one go.
Mila couldn’t refuse. Having watched Cameron finish his wine, she rose nervously and said, Cameron, I don’t drink.”
“Who doesn’t drink nowadays?” Cameron laughed.
One of them chimed in, “Cameron has taken the lead. You should drink a little, too.”
“You can have just a sip. Don’t kill the mood.”
“Wanda, drink to Cameron. Just take a small sip.”
Mila was under pressure. She furrowed her brow, took a deep breath, and was about to swallow the wine down.
Just as the glass touched her lips, someone snatched it away.
Glancing up, Mila saw that Nathan had calmly grabbed the glass from her and downed it without hesitating.
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Chapter 300
Everyone had been pushing Nathan to drink all night long, but he had been indifferent to it. Now, he was standing in for Mila and drinking.
Everyone applauded and cheered enthusiastically. They found it more exciting than watching
Mila drink.
“Whoa, what’s happening?”
They changed their strategy and followed what Cameron had done. One after the other, they went to toast Mila. She didn’t know how to refuse and relied on Nathan to take care of the
drinks.
Fenna was flabbergasted. Grabbing Nathan’s hand, Fenna said, “Nate, you’ve got to stop drinking. Everybody was asking her to drink, and she didn’t ask you to help her.
Mila sat there, watching as Nathan’s cheeks turned red from the drinking. She had never been. to a gathering like this before and had no idea how to handle it.
Cameron pulled Fenna aside with a laugh. “Fenna, leave Nate alone. He rarely drinks these days. The last time was such a long time ago”
Someone else laughed. “Yes, that’s true.”
“That’s enough.” Nathan put down the glass and scowled at Cameron.
Cameron smirked. “What? I’m not asking you to drink. I’m drinking with Wanda.”
He handed another glass of wine to Mila and said, “Wanda, you’re something else! You’re the first person to push Nate over his limit. Impressive. I must toast you for it.”
After downing his wine, Cameron handed another glass of wine directly to Mila.
Nathan reached out and blocked the wine. Cameron pushed further, and Mila’s lips met the back of Nathan’s hand. She shrank back in embarrassment.
Nathan took the wine away and stared at Cameron. He emphasized each word, “She doesn’t
drink.”
“It’s only one glass. She’s not going to get drunk.” Cameron laughed and patted Nathan on the shoulder. “Even if she did, you’d still b
here, wouldn’t you?”
Nathan finished the last drink. He put the glass down and pulled Mila to her feet. “You guys carry on. I’ll take her home first.”
come on.”
All of them were trying to convince him to stay. just got here. Why take her home so early?”
“She hasn’t eaten or even drunk anything yet. Why are you taking her home?”
“Let her stay. Stay-”
Fenna stood up, gave Mila a displeased look, and interrupted, “Nate, let me send her home.”
“It’s okay. We’re leaving now,” Nathan said as he led Mila out.
Cameron seemed helpless. “We haven’t even begun. Are you guys really on your way?”
Mila followed Nathan out in a hurry. Her eyes were fixed on Nathan’s hand that was holding hers. His hand looked particularly good, and a warm feeling filled Mila’s heart.
“Nate, I can get a taxi on my own. You should go back to your friends,” Mila said.
“I’m not going back.” Nathan’s voice was gentle and low.
Looking around, Mila realized he was leading her toward the estate.