Chapter 52

Otis turned his head away, pretending not to notice the scene where Shirley's expression had changed dramatically just moments ago. He scrunched up his eyebrows a bit, looking a tad annoyed. Even though Otis owned a nightclub, he just couldn't get into these women. What he really loved was drinking and boxing. You'd always find him at the bar or the boxing gym, but never in some woman's bed.

Otis thought women were mostly a hassle, especially Shirley,so he avoided her like the plague. He picked up his glass again,took a sip, and sat quietly on the side, as if the noise around him didn't exist.

Willard asked Patrick, "You didn't mention it earlier. Where's Emily? You two are usually inseparable. And with you drinking so much today, did you bring a driver? You're not planning to drive yourself back, are you?" Willard looked at Patrick with concern. He knew something was off with Patrick today, not just because Emily wasn't around, but there had to be more to it.

Shirley timidly raised her hand and murmured, "I can take Patrick home." Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, hoping Lu Wen would agree. She smiled, feeling it was a perfect chance to be alone with him.

Vincent smirked and said, "Oh, you can take Patrick home.Let

me guess, you want to take him to your own bed, right?" His words dripped with sarcasm, and he looked at Shirley with disdain. Vincent loved seeing Shirley in a tough spot, finding her obvious scheming laughable.

Vincent knew Shirley's game all too well. Sometimes he really wondered why Patrick always defended this annoying Shirley.Women like Emily were the ones worth protecting! It was even more frustrating that Patrick didn't like Emily but wouldn't let her go! Otherwise, he would've gone after Emily long ago.Vincent leaned back on the couch, his eyes showing disdain and confusion, not getting why Patrick was so conflicted about Emily, liking her but also hurting her, and now Emily had run off.

Today, he just wanted the answer to one question from Patrick's lips-whether he wanted Emily or not. Vincent thought to himself that if Patrick really gave up on Emily, he wouldn't hesitate to pursue her. After all, Emily was such a catch!

Patrick seemed to catch on to Vincent's thoughts, glared at him,and then said to Willard, "Don't you usually look down on Emily? Why are you so worried about her today? Or are you secretly in touch with her behind my back?" Patrick's eyes showed a hint of suspicion and dissatisfaction. He found Willard and Vincent's behavior odd today, suddenly so concerned about Emily's whereabouts.

Seeing Patrick lash out, Willard leaned back and remarked,"

Don't be ridiculous! I'm not into Emily. You should be askíng Vincent!" Willard glared at Patrick, thinking he was being unreasonable. How could he even think that?

Vincent nodded and expressed, "Yeah, I like Emily, Patrick.When you're done with her, just let me know. Even if I can't marry her, I want to keep her in my life." Vincent's face showed a hint of pride, deliberately saying this to provoke Patrick and see his reaction.

Patrick stood up, smashed his glass at Vincent's feet, and scolded, "How dare you!" He cannot fathom why, but upon hearing Vincent utter those words, he felt as though something of his had been seized. He would never let anyone take Emily away. Patrick's body trembled slightly. He had complicated feelings for Emily, and even though he couldn't explain them,he knew he couldn't let Vincent win.

Vincent shook his head, smiled, and remarked, "It's not that I don't dare, I just don't think it's worth it, Patrick. I won't ruin our friendship over a woman. You've had too much to drink today,go home with Shirley. I'm not interested in discussing an uncertain answer with you. Sorry, I have a date with a pretty woman tonight. Goodbye, everyone." Vincent waved and left the room, a relaxed smile on his face, feeling like he had achieved his goal for the day, at least letting Patrick know how he felt about Emily.

Watching Vincent's arrogant exit, Shirley became more

Cnapter 5z Patrick s Strange Behavior

convinced that Vincent must have slept with Emily. Otherwise,why would he always defend her? After the most annoying person left. Shirley slowly leaned against Patrick, putting his hand on her shoulder, and suggested, "Patrick, you've had too much to drink, let me take you back." Her voice was gentle and sweet, trying to win Patrick over.

Otis glanced at Shirley and said to Patrick, "I can have a driver take you back." He didn't trust Shirley to take Patrick home,finding her unreliable, and he didn't want anything to happen to Patrick.

Shirley got anxious when she heard this, stood up, and raised her hands, "No! Thank you, Otis. Let me take Patrick back to the Rivera Manor today. Jennifer misses him." Hearing Shirley mention Jennifer, Otis stopped talking. He sighed helplessly,knowing he couldn't stop Shirley.

Patrick was actually feeling very frustrated at that moment. He didn't really hear what everyone was saying around him, only catching Vincent saying he liked Emily. After Vincent left.Patrick felt like all the noise had nothing to do with him.

Patrick leaned against Shirley, feeling sick from the scent that wasn't hers.

'Damn it! How could I remember the smell of Emily? Isn't it just a habit by now? No way! I couldn't possibly like her! She was just an accessory in my life. Without me, what was she

even worth?'

After a moment of thought, he pushed away Shirley's support.opened the car door, got in, locked the door out of habit,reclined his seat, and fell asleep in the car. Patrick lay there,his brows furrowed, Emily's image constantly popping into his mind, trying hard not to think about it. Slowly, his breathing calmed down.