Chapter 173


    The whole bar fell silent as if electrified by the sheer audacity of what they’d witnessed. Not a single


    soul stepped forward to intervene.


    It took Matilda just five minutes to down the entire bottle of Hennessy, and the silence was broken by a


    chorus of gasps. Some patrons trembled faintly, eyes wide in disbelief. They had thought Horatio was


    only bluffing, but here was Matilda, proving them wrong with her reckless drinking. Such a stunt could


    lead to… it could tear her stomach lining to shreds!


    The burning alcohol scorched her throat, and a searing, cramping pain spread through her belly.


    Matilda felt like she was going to hurl right there and then, but she fought back the urge with a roar.


    Staggering over to Chloe, she grabbed her friend’s hand and, with reckless abandon, smashed the


    empty bottle onto the ground.


    The shattering sound reverberated through the bar, making every heart skip a beat.


    “I’ve had enough of your high and mighty act…” Matilda spat out each word, shielding Chloe behind


    her. “Can’t you see she’s shaking? Do you get off on pushing a woman. to the edge? What did Chloe


    ever do to you, huh? Did shemit murder or ruin your precious families? I’ll have you all know, I’m


    Matilda Thompson, and I did time for murder five years ago. I won’t hesitate to go back if it means


    protecting her from the likes of you!”


    With that, Matilda, eyes zing with fury, grabbed Chloe’s hand and dragged her toward the exit,


    managing to choke out a single word, “Go!”


    And just like that, no one dared to stop them.


    They had been outbraved by a woman’s courage.


    Once outside, Chloe burst into tears, sobbing, “Mat, I’m so sorry. We need to get you to the hospital;


    you could have a bleeding ulcer…”


    Matilda didn’t reply. Her consciousness was dimming, and suddenly, leaning against the wall, she


    vomited blood.


    Chloe, shaking uncontrobly, clutched Matilda’s hand, crying out for help, “Someone, call an


    ambnce! She’s got alcohol poisoning; she’s vomiting blood!”


    As Adrian was leaving the bar, a young woman on his arm, he overheard the desperate cries for help.


    The girl beside him sneered, “Sounds like one of those barflies drank herself into a stupor for some


    quick cash. Not exactly a tragedy.”


    10:03


    Chapter 173


    Adrian didn’t respond, but neither did he disagree.


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    It wasn’t until he heard Chloe’s quivering voice once more that he froze in his tracks. “Matilda, please


    wake up! I’m taking you to the hospital; don’t you pass out on me! Can someone help me get her into a


    cab, please!”


    Chloe’s pleas grew more agonized by the second. Adrian’s face went pale, and he raced back. At the


    entrance, he saw Chloe supporting an unconscious woman. He sprinted over and scooped up Matilda,


    shouting in panic, “Matilda?”


    Upon seeing the Simpson family’s eldest son, Chloe’s heart skipped a beat, and fresh tears streamed


    down her face. She was known as the poised and powerful secretary, never before so disheveled. “Mr.


    Simpson, please, I’m begging you. She just downed a whole bottle of Hennessy… she might die…”


    Without a word, Adrian lifted Matilda into his arms. Her eyes were tightly shut, her face ashen and


    tinged with blue.


    Chloe, barely able to walk straight, stumbled after them, murmuring, “It’s all my fault…”


    “Stop talking and get in the car,” Adrianmanded, opening the door of his SUV. He gently ced


    Matilda in the back seat, Chloe scrambling in after her. Ignoring the risks of driving under the influence,


    Adrian floored the elerator and sped towards the hospital.