Chapter 5 You've Got Nerve

Lena tilted her head back slightly to escape the foul odor emanating from Josh's breath as he spoke. "I was under the impression that this was a regular social gathering."

"A regular social event, is it?" Josh scoffed, releasing her arm to pick up a bottle of wine from the table. "Isn't drinking a typical part of social events? Here's the deal-you finish this bottle, and I'll throw in an extra ten million."

Lena's ability to handle alcohol was average at best. Given the circumstances, it appeared she couldn't leave unscathed without some form of concession. Thankfully, she wasn't one to pass out easily. Finishing the bottle might allow her at least a half hour of clarity.

As she reached for the bottle, the realization of her pregnancy halted her action, and her hand snapped back.

Timothy, anxious to clinch the ten million, pushed her. "What are you waiting for? Drink up!"

The lure of ten million for just one bottle was overwhelming. But drinking during pregnancy was out of the question.

"Refusing to drink?" Josh sneered menacingly. "If you don't drink, you won't be leaving this room!"

Lena's fingers tensed. "If I drink this bottle, may I leave afterward?"

"You're welcome to stay and drink more," Josh replied, his eyes twinkling with cruel intent.

Lena knew better than to trust his word. "I trust you'll honor your promise, Mr. Wallace."

The room was packed, and all eyes were fixed on her. She was betting on a chance, hoping that Collin would intervene.

Her eyes briefly met the man in the corner, who seemed wholly disinterested, focused entirely on his drink.

"Are you going to drink or not? Waiting for Roderick to save you?" Josh grew increasingly impatient.

"Roderick Barton. Collin Barton! All Bartons are bastards!" Lena thought to herself.

Since Collin showed no sign of intervening, she looked away from him.

Timothy, seizing the moment, thrust the bottle toward her lips.

The sharp scent of alcohol filled her nostrils as the fiery liquid grazed her lips. Amid the tense silence, a calm, authoritative voice interrupted, "One bottle of wine for ten million? Mr. Wallace, you're always this generous?"

Though not loud, the voice commanded attention. Some individuals naturally exuded authority.

Josh's annoyance quickly shifted to a sycophantic smile as he recognized the speaker. "Mr. Barton, you're joking. I'm just having a bit of fun. In your presence, such a sum is trivial."

Collin flicked his lighter, lighting the cigarette between his lips. The blue flame vanished, leaving behind a trail of white smoke and a burning ember.

The room fell utterly silent, the tension palpable.

Collin spoke again, cutting through the quiet. "You've got nerve."

Josh, unsure how to read the emotion in Collin's frosty tone, approached him with a forced smile. "Mr. Barton, I'm merely trying to charm a woman I've admired for some time. If it displeases you, I can take her elsewhere immediately."

The cigarette's ember burned slowly, yet Collin's attention was not on Josh but fixed firmly on Lena. "Do you want to go with him?" he asked.

With the taste of wine still lingering on her lips, Lena responded without hesitation, shaking her head. "No, I don't."

"Did you hear that?" Collin then turned his question to Josh.

Despite being a womanizer, Josh was perceptive. Realizing that Collin was undermining his intentions, his lecherous persistence shifted to a defensive stance.

Tonight, he was resolved to have his way with the woman he had long desired.

"Mr. Barton, don't you think that's not cool?" Josh's smile faded. "You might not be up to speed with the home affairs, having just returned. Even your older brother affords me some respect. If I'm not mistaken, he still holds significant sway in the Barton Group."