Chapter 7


    Lysander was unsure if pure friendship could exist between men and women, but she could tell that


    Josiah had consumed a bit too much alcohol. The wine decanter had long vanished from his hand


    suggesting that the mineral water inside had depleted. And he was being urged by several people to


    drink more. Lysanne was trying hard to stop the drunken men, but her efforts were futile with herrge


    belly. Meanwhile, Josiah was coerced into drinking several more cups, which caused his steps to


    be unsteady. Then, Lysander stood up and dered, “Sorry, I’ll check on Josiah first.” Miles


    refrained from making any oddments and just simply nodded. “Alright, go ahead.” Lysander


    hurried over and was just in time to snatch the wine ss from Josiah’s hand as it was being refilled.


    “Hey, who’s this woman?” Ignoring the question, she grasped Josiah’s arm and inquired, “Josiah, are


    you alright?” He gazed at her for a moment before recognizing her and shook his head slightly. “I’m


    fine.” Their conversation was hushed, preventing the drunken group from overhearing. Assuming she


    was hotel staff, they moved to grab her while eximing, “Who do you think you are to approach


    Josiah like this? Are you out of your…” However, Josiah pulled his hand, shielded Lysander behind


    him, and sternly stated, “Don’t touch her.” “Josiah, why are you defending her? This woman seems to


    have ulterior motives. I’ve encountered many like her.” “She’s my wife.” The drunkard sobered up


    instantly, his face turning pale as he looked at Lysander being protected by Josiah. He then turned to


    Lysanne, whose face was pale, and asked with confusion, “If she’s your wife, then what about


    Lysanne?” All eyes shifted to Lysanne standing in the back who was still clutching onto Josiah’s suit


    jacket, She appeared displeased with a hint of redness around her eyes. “I’ve said it before. Josiah and


    I are just friends.” Despite her smile, it seemed strained and unnatural. The onlookers were not


    oblivious to theplexity of the situation. Lysanne’s expression hinted at something more was at y.


    “Josiah, you and Lysanne…” Regaining hisposure, Josiah returned to his usual demeanor and


    softly replied, “It’s gettingte. Let’s all head home. Lysander, let’s go.” Lysander nodded in agreement.


    “Okay.” She then turned to Lysanne and extended her hand. “Thank you, Miss Thorne. You can give


    me Josiah’s jacket.” Lysanne clung onto the suit jacket tightly refusing to let go. “I’ll be going back with


    you anyway, so I’ll hold onto it.” With many onlookers, Lysander hesitated for a moment before


    relenting, “Alright, I have to help Josiah walk. Thank you, Miss Thorne.” Then, Josiah interjected, “Let’s


    go.” Walking ahead with Josiah, Lysanne followed behind with his coat as they exited, leaving the


    spectators inside bewildered. “What just happened?” “I have no clue…” Miles approached with a ss


    of wine, downed it in one go, shook his head, and sighed, “One should seize opportunities when they


    arise; don’t wait until it’s toote to take action.” “Hahaha! Miles, the poetic drunkard, what’s that


    supposed to mean? We don’t get it.” “It means—” He suddenly mmed the ss down, gazing at


    Lysanne’s solitary figure in the distance before sighing, “If only one had known earlier, one would have


    acted differently.” As soon as they stepped outside, the cold night wind immediately greeted them.


    Lysander shivered from the cold. Fortunately, Josiah’s body was warm, and his warmth gradually


    spread to her, dispelling the chill from half of her body. Unable to drive after drinking, he said, “I’ll call a


    driver.” But Lysanne quickly took out her phone to make the arrangements. “I’ll drive,” Lysander offered.


    Surprised, Josiah asked, “You can drive?” She smiled. “Yes, but I haven’t had many opportunities to do


    so.” For the past three years, Josiah had always picked her up and dropped her off for work. Even


    when she had to workte at night, he would dutifully act as her driver. It was the first time he didn’t


    insist on taking her to the hospital. Lysander then inquired, “Where are the car keys?” “In my pocket,”


    Josiah replied. Then, Lysander searched through his suit jacket pocket and asked, “But they’re not


    here?” Josiah was quite drunk, with half his weight leaning on her while resting his head on her


    shoulder. He frowned and said, “They’re in my pants pocket.” “Well, stand up. I can’t reach it like this.”


    “I can do it. Let me!” Lysanne eximed, bravely walking over and reaching out to dig into Josiah’s suit


    pants pocket. But Lysander stopped her. “Miss Thorne, it’s not very convenient for you to reach into his


    pants pocket, right?”Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org