"Janelle, I need the restroom. Come with me?" Sara whispered to Janelle.
Janelle nodded. The two girls headed to the restroom together.
Truthfully, Sara didn't really need to go; she just wanted to pull Janelle aside.
"Janelle, they've both had a lot to drink. Could something go wrong?" Both Jiang Chao and Erik were people Janelle trusted. It was best if nothing happened.
"It's fine." Janelle used to enjoy drinking too, but since developing stomach problems, she didn't dare indulge. Honestly, watching them drink made her want some too.
"Does your senior brother like you? I feel like he and Erik are secretly competing!"
"No." Like her? Definitely not.
"Okay."
"Tired? If you are, I'll take you home first." Let them drink their fill if they wanted.
"A bit. I've been rushing my graduation project lately, no time for proper rest." As a fashion design student, her final project was a runway show, so she'd been frantically sketching.
"I'll take you back. Who knows how long they'll keep drinking?" Men's competitive spirit could be incredibly childish.
"You don't need to drive me. I'll get a designated driver."
"Okay. Call me when you get home."
"Mmm."
Back at the Table
With Janelle gone, Erik dropped the pretense.
"Senior Brother, Janelle is mine," Erik declared, staking his claim.
Hearing this, Jiang Chao found it laughable. "Says who? Did my junior sister acknowledge you?" That wasn't what she'd told him.
"Soon enough." Even if Janelle didn't acknowledge their relationship now, they were definitely the most intimate.
"Save it for when you actually catch her. But whoever you are, I'm warning you: don't bully her. Otherwise, you'll answer to me." Jiang Chao knew exactly who he was. But it didn't matter. Anyone who dared hurt their junior sister would face his wrath. "Now, let's keep drinking." The contest continued.
Janelle Returns
Janelle watched Sara get into her car before returning to the table. Seeing the two men still drinking, she frowned.
"You two carry on. I'm heading back." The bidding deadline was imminent; she had to secure this project.
As she turned to leave, Erik grabbed her hand, stopping her.
"I'll take you back."
"I'll take you back."
Both men spoke simultaneously. It was too late for her to go back alone.
"Senior Brother just arrived in Graham City today, right? You should rest. Don't worry, I'll take good care of Janelle," Erik asserted smoothly.
Bruce Aleen Arrives
Just then, Bruce Aleen rushed in. He'd been convinced Janelle was hurt. He couldn't find her at the hospital and had been in a foul mood all day. Then, someone in the rich kids' group chat mentioned seeing Janelle at Nightfall with two men. He'd rushed over immediately.
Seeing her standing there, unharmed, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Miss Rovella, it's so good to see you're alright." He walked up to Janelle, resisting the urge to hug her. Seeing the other two men clearly drunk, he offered, "I'll drive you back. They've been drinking; I'm the most suitable."
Erik shot Bruce a sharp look. What was this kid doing?
"No need. I can get back myself. Young Mr. Aleen, aren't your friends here? Enjoy your evening," Janelle declined directly. She had no interest in boys like Bruce Aleen; they took things too seriously. She wouldn't get involved.
The rejection stung Bruce deeply. Erik, however, was elated. She was different with him.
"Janelle, I'm feeling a bit dizzy. Let's go back," Erik said, leaning on Janelle and holding her hand.
"..." Bruce felt worse. Finally finding a girl he liked, only to be flatly rejected.
"Let's go." Janelle nodded to Bruce and led Erik and Jiang Chao out.
Left Behind
Bruce Aleen stood alone, heart aching. Seeing the unfinished drinks on the table, he sat down and started drinking them by himself.
His friend finally caught up, stunned to see Bruce drinking someone else's leftovers. The guy had OCD! He usually wouldn't touch anything others had touched. What was going on?
The friend sat opposite him. "Bruce, don't be like this. Want me to call some girls to keep you company? Plenty of fish in the sea, man."
"Get lost." Bruce Aleen was surprisingly pure-hearted. His only passions were racing and Janelle. He had no interest in playing around with women; he wasn't like those other spoiled heirs.
Outside Nightfall
Janelle, Erik, and Jiang Chao stood outside the club. All three had been drinking; none could drive.
"Little Junior Sister, I'm drunk too. Aren't you going to take me back? I'm this handsome; aren't you afraid some woman might take advantage of me?" Jiang Chao whined.
"..." Janelle was exasperated. Her senior brother was incredibly capable but could be ridiculously childish at times.
Janelle hailed a cab and opened the front passenger door. "Senior Brother, we have a lot to handle tomorrow. Please don't make a fuss, okay?"
"You're not seeing me home?"
"I'll take him." Erik interjected smoothly.
Hearing this, Jiang Chao shot a triumphant look at Erik. See? No matter what, he, the senior brother, was the most important in their junior sister's eyes!
Janelle pushed Jiang Chao into the front seat and shut the door. She opened the back door to get in, but Erik squeezed in beside her before she could close it.
"I'll come with you to see Senior Brother home," he said, then slumped weakly against Janelle's shoulder.
Janelle was exhausted and didn't want to waste more time. She gave the driver the hotel address.
Seeing two incredibly handsome men and a stunning beauty heading to a hotel together, the driver kept glancing at them in the rearview mirror. Were young people playing so wild these days? A threesome?
Erik opened his eyes and met the driver's gaze in the mirror. He frowned. What was this guy imagining?
Startled to be caught staring, the driver quickly looked away and focused on the road.
The car soon reached the hotel. Erik got out and yanked open Jiang Chao's door with unnecessary force, nearly making him fall.
"Senior Brother, we're here. Get some rest. We're leaving now." Without a backward glance, Erik got back into the car beside Janelle and gave the driver their next destination.
Fuming but unable to do anything about Erik, Jiang Chao could only trudge back to his hotel room alone.