Chapter 4 She Wanted Him.

After a while, the group grew bored and suggested playing a game. The rules were simple: everyone would place their phones together, and the person whose phone rang first would face a penalty, choosing between "Truth or Dare" or taking a drink.

It was undeniable that such a bold game was the quickest way to bring everyone closer. After a few rounds, the initially distant men and women had become quite intimate.

Yvette raised her gaze ever so slightly, unexpectedly meeting a pair of cold, emotionless eyes.

His eyes seemed devoid of emotion, yet his countenance was thought-provoking. He was clad in a black shirt paired with black trousers; the simple yet high-quality style accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist.

Before Yvette could gather her thoughts, a vibrating sound from the table grabbed everyone's attention. It was Violet's phone.

"Oh, what do we have here? Let's see Violet's lock screen!" a girl exclaimed.

As soon as she finished speaking, Violet seemed to realize the issue and quickly snatched her phone, but everyone, including Yvette, had already seen it.

It was a vibrant photo: a blue sky, a clear lake, a sea of pink flowers, a man in a white shirt on one knee, presenting a ring to a woman in a white dress. Their silhouettes resembled a beautiful painting.

The woman in the photo was, of course, Violet, and the man proposing was Yvette's newlywed husband, Albert.

Amidst the teasing, only Yvette felt a tinge of bitterness in her heart.

Violet had Albert's love, his attention, and his promise to be with her for a lifetime. What about Yvette? She had become his wife in haste, not even deserving a ring.

Feeling a bit upset, Yvette emptied the last drop in her cup.

The man, who had been pouring drinks for others around, noticed her empty glass and promptly remarked, "Oh, why is someone still drinking beverages?"

He approached with a glass of whisky, a high-proof drink. Yvette, considering her state, instinctively looked in Albert's direction. She didn't know why she thought of Albert at that moment; perhaps her mind was clouded, and she even entertained the thought that Albert might help her if she were pregnant.

But the reality was cruel. Albert didn't look at Yvette; his attention was solely on Violet.

Albert and Violet leaned in, engaged in a hushed conversation. Yvette didn't know what Albert said, but Violet's expression immediately turned sour, and she got up and left. Albert frowned and followed her.

The next moment, Yvette's glass was filled with whisky. Looking at the two empty seats, Yvette couldn't help but mock herself inwardly. 'What was I expecting? I'm such a fool.'

Seeing Albert and Violet leave, Sylvia leaned over to Victor and asked, "What's going on?"

Victor casually replied, "They disagreed. I must say, only Albert can handle Violet's temper."

"I thought Mr. Valdemar was the cold and unromantic type of man."

"He is!" Victor chuckled. "But he's only like that with other women. Violet is different."

The whisky in front of Yvette emitted a strong alcoholic scent, making her feel nauseous. She stood up, feeling a bit unsteady.

"I need to use the restroom," Yvette said.

Seeing Yvette about to leave, Victor joked, "You'd better wait a while. They might be kissing outside, and it would be awkward if you ran into them."

Yvette's face turned pale, and she forced a smile before heading out.

Yvette never expected Victor's words to come true. When she came out of the restroom, she ran into Albert and Violet.

They were talking in a corner, and Yvette was at a distance, unable to hear their conversation. But from their expressions, it seemed they were not having a pleasant discussion.

The bar was located in an old neighborhood, with red walls covered in ivy and old trees with thick trunks and lush foliage. Yvette felt it would be impolite to eavesdrop, so she walked to the other side, under the cover of the green trees.

But before she could leave, she heard a loud slap behind her.

Moments later, Violet hurriedly approached Yvette, and as they made eye contact, both were taken aback. Seeing Yvette, Violet's tear-stained face immediately showed suspicion and displeasure. As she passed by Yvette, she bumped into her.

Yvette's mood was complicated as she watched Violet leave. When she looked up, Albert was already in front of her.

There was still a red mark on his face, and Yvette felt that Violet's slap must have been quite hard, but he seemed unfazed. He casually took out a cigarette case from his pocket, tapped it with his left hand, and a cigarette popped out. He skillfully placed the cigarette in his mouth, shielded it with his left hand, and lit it with his right hand. As he prepared to light the cigarette, he paused and put it away.

He looked at Yvette with a smirk. "Are you here to mock me?"

Yvette smiled wryly to herself. 'I'm the one who should be mocked.'

He suddenly extinguished the cigarette, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "Do you want to leave with me?"

There was a hint of teasing in his deep gaze. He spoke the same words and with the same casual expression as he did two years ago, but there was no sincerity. Still, she nodded.

She had to admit, she was being a bit despicable.

Albert took her to a hotel.

As soon as the door closed, he pressed her against the wall.

Their chests were pressed tightly together, making it hard for her to breathe. In the next moment, Albert used his lips to give her a breath, bringing her back from the brink of suffocation. The room's night light was on, casting a dim light that made everything in front of her blurry. His kisses kept coming, filled with an urgent and complicated emotion. He kissed from her lips to her earlobe. He smelled of smoke and alcohol, strong and domineering, making her unable to escape.

He tugged at her clothes, his cold hands touching her warm skin, causing her to shiver.

Her rationality quickly returned, and she placed her hands on his chest, preventing him from going any further.

"No..." Her face was flushed, and she was breathing heavily. Her voice was soft, but it was the first time she had refused him.

His chest still heaved with unfulfilled desire, and his deep eyes showed some displeasure as he stared at her. The curve of his lips slowly faded.

"What did you say?"

Her lips were swollen from his nibbling, and there was a slight pain as her lips rubbed together when she spoke. She looked up at him but didn't repeat her words.

Albert took a step back, adjusted his clothes, and his voice gradually became colder.

"If you don't want to, you can leave." With that, he inserted the room key into the slot.

The room suddenly lit up, and she and Albert stood there silently, his eyes filled with scrutiny and gradually returning to rationality and detachment. She didn't want to see him like that.

"Go on," she said.

The next second, she tiptoed, her trembling hands cupping his face, and she kissed him.

Even if her emotions were in turmoil, she wanted him.