Don't Be a Tease, Mr. Blackwood

Chapter 81: Chapter 81: Mr. Blackwood, Why Are You Here?

"Sophie, want a drink?"

"Have a drink with us?"

"Quick, get Sophie a drink."

A group of guys laughed and joked around, cracking open a beer and pouring a full glass for Sophie Shaw.

Sophie Shaw ate her grilled meat skewers and drank the refreshing, ice-cold beer. Before long, she had blended in with the group of young men, a faint smile appearing on her face.

She tilted her head back and chugged several glasses in a row, her pretty face turning visibly red.

"Sophie, take it easy."

Ethan Austin was afraid she would drink too much. This was mainly because Anne had sent him a message saying Sophie Shaw was in a bad mood, and he shouldn’t provoke her or disturb her rest.

"Don’t get too drunk. We’ve got another round after this."

This was originally just a simple dinner, but to cheer Sophie Shaw up, Ethan Austin made a spur-of-the-moment decision to take her out for a wild night after they ate.

"Where are we going for the next round?"

someone asked excitedly.

"The Nocturne Club," Ethan Austin announced excitedly. "My treat."

"I heard that place is super expensive. They only serve rich kids."

Ethan Austin’s mouth twitched. "What’s that supposed to mean? You think I can’t afford it?"

"Dude, I’m just looking out for your wallet."

Having lost face in front of Sophie Shaw, Ethan Austin’s expression soured. "I don’t need you looking out for my wallet. The whole point of going out is to make Sophie happy. Splurging once is fine."

If he went over budget, he could just use his credit card and pay it back on time next month.

When Sophie Shaw heard this, she quickly waved her hands. "You don’t have to spend all that money for my sake. This is great right now. I don’t really like loud places like that."

Ethan Austin wanted to put on a brave front for once, but the thought of his tight wallet gradually extinguished the idea of taking Sophie Shaw out for a wild night.

He opened another can of beer and poured some for Sophie Shaw. "Then we’ll just drink here at home."

Sophie Shaw nodded, raised her glass, and gently clinked it against the can in Ethan Austin’s hand. "Cheers."

She tipped her head back and chugged it, drinking hard.

Ethan Austin didn’t drink his beer, watching her thoughtfully instead. He could sense something was different about her today. Drinking like that, it wouldn’t be long before she was drunk.

"Sophie, what are you upset about?"

"I’m not upset."

"Liar."

Anne and Sophie Shaw were as thick as thieves. As Anne’s younger brother, he naturally saw Sophie Shaw often and wasn’t a stranger to her, but this was the first time he’d ever seen her drink like this.

"Did someone bully you?"

Sophie Shaw shook her head.

Ethan Austin didn’t believe her. "Who bullied you? Tell me, and I’ll beat the crap out of them for you."

As he spoke, he flexed his arm, showing off his solid muscles.

He was a big guy, an athletic student who loved boxing and working out. He was all lean muscle, his biceps thicker than Sophie Shaw’s thighs. Most of his friends were like him—not sure how sharp their minds were, but their bodies were definitely well-developed.

Sophie Shaw reached out and poked the bulging muscle on his arm. "So hard."

Ethan Austin’s cheeks instantly flushed. "My pecs and abs are hard too. Want to feel them, Sophie?"

His words made the atmosphere a little ambiguous.

The young men sitting around the table all held their breath, their eyes fixed on Sophie Shaw.

Being stared at by so many pairs of eyes, Sophie Shaw scratched her head awkwardly. "Ethan, you’re drunk."

"I’m not drunk."

"I’m a married woman."

"It’s not like you’re really marr—" Before he could get the word "married" out, Sophie Shaw clapped a hand over his mouth.

Sophie Shaw suddenly realized that Anne must have mentioned something to Ethan Austin about her ’contract marriage’ with Alaric Blackwood.

She dragged Ethan Austin away from the dining room and into the bathroom.

"Did your sister tell you?"

Ethan Austin shook his head.

"Then how do you know?"

"I accidentally overheard her on the phone with you, saying something about a contract husband..."

"Shh! Don’t just say things like that." frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

’The contract between me and Alaric Blackwood is long gone. We’re really married, a real husband and wife.’

"What do you mean, ’say things like that’? Aren’t you and that Mr. Blackwood in a contract marriage?"

"No."

"You don’t have to deny it. Relax, Sophie. I won’t go around telling people."

"..."

If she hadn’t covered Ethan’s mouth just now, he would have blurted out that they weren’t really married in front of the whole table.

"Anyway, don’t say things like that in front of other people."

Ethan Austin nodded obediently. "Okay, I won’t."

While the two were talking quietly in the bathroom, the doorbell rang outside.

One of Ethan Austin’s friends went to get the door.

Seeing the tall man at the door dressed in a formal suit and a black overcoat, followed by an assistant and bodyguards, the friend stared blankly. His intuition told him they had probably knocked on the wrong door.

"Who are you looking for?"

Alaric Blackwood sized up the drunken man before him, then glanced at Preston Chase. "Are you sure this is the place?"

Preston Chase nodded. "I’m sure."

Without another word, Alaric Blackwood shoved the reeking-of-alcohol young man aside and strode straight into the apartment with his long legs.

The spacious living room was visible at a glance, with its open kitchen and dining area. Seven or eight young men were gathered around a table piled with barbecue skewers and cans of alcohol. The whole room was filled with smoke, the stench of liquor, and the clamor of the men’s voices, creating a noisy, chaotic scene.

He frowned, his eyes scanning the room. Not seeing Sophie Shaw, he shot a questioning look at Preston Chase again.

"Mr. Blackwood, there’s no mistake. Your wife did come here."

Preston Chase had investigated thoroughly. This place was the home of Sophie Shaw’s good friend, Anne. Moreover, as they drove in, he had noticed a Cayenne parked across from the complex and confirmed the license plate number—it was Sophie Shaw’s car.

Alaric Blackwood retracted his gaze and walked to the dining table with a cold expression. The young men were already completely wasted. Seeing a strange face, their eyes seemed to be glued to Alaric Blackwood, looking him up and down.

"Holy shit! A Patek Philippe 5002R, manual mechanical..."

Someone with a good eye recognized the watch on Alaric Blackwood’s wrist, which was worth as much as 32 million RMB.

His mouth hung open as he stared at Alaric Blackwood in shock. "Who the hell are you?"

’When did that broke-ass Ethan make such a ’rich’ friend?’

Alaric Blackwood didn’t answer the man, asking instead, "Where is Sophie Shaw?"

The man was stunned. "Who’s Sophie Shaw?"

The person next to him nudged his arm with an elbow. "I think he’s asking about Sophie."

Hearing the name "Sophie," Alaric Blackwood’s brow furrowed deeply, and his expression turned so dark it was terrifying.

The young men didn’t dare to breathe, momentarily intimidated by Alaric Blackwood’s aura. Only one of them mustered the courage to point toward the bathroom.

Just as Alaric Blackwood was about to take a step, the bathroom door opened.

Sophie Shaw walked out, her shoulders held tightly by Ethan Austin as he supported her.

She had drunk a lot, and the alcohol was going to her head, making her dizzy.

Seeing Alaric Blackwood standing by the dining table, watching her with cold eyes, her first reaction was that she was seeing things. She shook her dizzy head and looked again—Alaric Blackwood was really, truly standing there.

The man’s presence seemed to make the very air thin.

Sophie Shaw took a deep breath. "Mr. Blackwood, what are you doing here?"