Chapter 4 How Is He

"In a few days, you'll be at your engagement party with Liam. I've spoken with the Wilsons, and we're having dinner tonight to talk about the engagement. You need to act properly and not shame your father or me." Millie addressed Sabrina with an air of arrogance, her eyes conveying nothing but disdain.

"Mom," Sabrina began, pausing significantly. "If you and Dad cherish the alliance with the Wilsons so, why not have Rylie marry Liam? She's sensible and well-mannered. Wouldn't her marriage to Liam be ideal?"

The puzzle had always been there for Sabrina.

Her parents, Sebastian White and Millie, valued the alliance highly, and Rylie and Liam seemed quite taken with each other. Why was she even engaged to Liam? It was perplexing.

However, Millie cut her off sharply before she could continue. "You think I haven't considered that? The Wilsons' wealth and Liam's appeal would be a windfall if you married in. Had Liam's grandmother not specified her desire for you to join their family, do you suppose you would have been chosen?"

That was the revelation.

A bitter chuckle escaped Sabrina. She had thought perhaps this marriage was Millie's olive branch to her. Clearly, she was mistaken.

"I am speaking to you; are you listening?" Millie snapped, pushing Sabrina's shoulder. "Tonight is crucial. Embarrass me, and you'll regret it."

Sabrina had initially thought to decline the dinner. Regardless of the Wilson family's standing or Liam's allure, she wouldn't marry a faithless man.

So she pondered that it might be wise to skip the dinner.

Yet, the dinner presented an opportunity.

She agreed with a nod. "I will be on my best behavior."

Taken aback by Sabrina's compliance, Millie was about to question her, but Sabrina didn't allow it. "I need to visit Grandma at the hospital," she said, and then departed.

Sabrina's excuse was merely to placate Millie. After leaving, she bypassed the hospital for more pressing issues.

Cypress Street bustled with life. Each storefront here was a coveted space. Among these, one shop stood out with its subdued facade, lacking even a sign. Few noticed it, but it boasted the latest security from EverFlow Group.

Sabrina reached the door, slid off her large sunglasses, and the doors parted silently after a retina scan. Inside, the lavish decor contrasted starkly with the unassuming exterior.

The studio was decked out with the latest recording devices and musical instruments, complete with a streaming room. Inside, Pauline Moore barely glanced up as she spoke. "Did you enjoy yourself last night? I called several times, but you didn't answer. Were you too busy having fun?"

Sorting through the mails at the entrance, Sabrina's hands froze when her best friend brought up the previous night.

"How could you bring up last night?" Sabrina's cheeks flushed, and she kicked the chair under Pauline forcefully, sending her sliding away. "What were you doing? Why didn't you stop me last night?"

"Blame me?" Pauline replied with a wry smile, her tone accusatory. "You were the one spending lavishly at the bar. Those men were practically worshiping you. How was I supposed to intervene? You vanished while I was in the restroom. I called repeatedly. Now this is my fault?"

Sabrina admitted to herself she was at fault.

She had low tolerance for alcohol, and her judgment when inebriated was even worse.

Had she not been in such a foul mood, she wouldn't have ended up at the bar, and certainly not with Charles.

The mere thought of Charles gave Sabrina an intense headache.

"So, how was he? The guy from last night. Was he any good?" Pauline leaned in closer, curiosity in her voice. "The bar staff said he was stunning. You paid for some fun, right? No harm in that."

"Shut up!" Sabrina scowled. "I wish he was just a gigolo. It would've saved me a lot of trouble."

"Not a gigolo?" Pauline's interest peaked. "Tell me more. What's the full story?"