Russell hastily shook his head. “No, what | meant was that she couldn’t swim before that incident, but she’s picked it up since!
Ever since that happened, she’s conquered her fear of the water, and she’s be quite the swimmer!”
Patrick stood there, his expression inscrutable, choosing to remain silent.
Russell pressed on, “As for my past with Veronica, | regret it now, but | can’t deny what happened back then. However, let me
make one thing clear-1 genuinely loved Violet. That feeling was as genuine as it came! Otherwise, | wouldn’t have pursued her
for so long and ultimately won her over.”
Russell spoke with a troubled expression, his gaze fixed on Patrick. “But, Mr. Hersey, do you know the most haunting part of my
life? It’s the fact that she never had any feelings. for me from the start to the end. Do you understand? We were together for two
years, and I never held her hand. | don’t know if she was preserving her purity for someone else or if she believed | wasn’t
deserving. Nheless, | feel remorseful, but she wasn’t meless either!”
Patrick looked at Russell with aplex expression, suppressing his difort, and replied, “You don’t owe me any
exnations.”
With that, Patrick stiffly turned away, his demeanor frosty.
He feared that staying longer would betray even more of his emotions.
It was trulyughable, his belief that by treating Violet well, he could win her affection. Little did he know that her heart had long
been captivated by another. How could she ever harbor feelings for him?
Russell suddenly spoke up, “Mr. Hersey, don’t you want to know who the other person
is?”
Patrick responded in a cold, suffocating tone, “I don’t want to know.”
He finished speaking and strode confidently into the bar.
Patrick thought, “What he was dismissing so casually was just a woman, after all!”
Yet, his chest felt heavy, an ufortable sensation gnawing at him.
Inside the private room, Patrick spotted Robert holding a liquor bottle, his eyes. carrying a hint of destion. “Patrick, you''re
here!”
Patrick shot him a cold look and took a seat without a word.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.
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He sat there, exuding an air of superiority, as if he were a ruling monarch on an inspection tour, looking down upon all like a
conqueror.
Robert clicked his tongue and pushed a bottle of liquor toward him. “Join me for a drink!”
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Patrick wordlessly uncorked the bottle, poured a ss, and downed it in a single gulp.
Shortly after, he poured another ss and drank on it as if he had an endless reservoir. of stamina.
By the time Patrick reached his fifth ss, Robert was finally dumbfounded. “Weren’t you here to drink with me? Howe
you''re out-drinking me?”
Patrick paid him no mind and poured yet another ss.
Robert arched an eyebrow. “Do you n on getting drunk tonight?”
Patrick hesitated momentarily as he poured the wine, his hand tensing slightly.
Indeed, he couldn''t afford to get drunk again, especially not in her presence, to avoid. disying that foolishly submissive side of
himself.
He reflected on the events of the previous night when he had be intoxicated. He
the sofa with a distant.
set his wine ss down firmly on the table and reclined, ell
expression.
As a result of his drunkenness, he had reconciled with Violet the previous day. Furthermore, he had discovered that her prior
aloofness was probably due to Rose leaving her lipstick in his car. This revtion had secretly lifted his spirits throughout the
day.
Unbeknownst to him, it turned out to be his misjudgment.
This was the first time in his life that Patrick had believed someone cared deeply for him, only to realize that she didn’t pay him
any mind at all!
Violet''s aloof demeanor likely stemmed from her desire to avoid humiliation or betrayal.
After all, what she truly yearned for was none other than Skyler.
With these thoughts in mind, Patrick’s countenance darkened even further.
Even Robert, though not the sharpest tool in the shed, sensed that something was amiss with Patrick.
After a brief pause, he set his ss down. “Another tiff with Violet?”
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Patrick wore a stern expression, calmly retrieving a cigarette and lighting it without uttering a word.
Robert perhaps inebriated from an excess of drink, was usually the one advising and strategizing for Patrick. Yet today, he
seemed to be faltering in his resolve.
He said, “Patrick, let me be frank with you. It seems like you''re unwilling to back down easily regarding Violet. You''ve hit a wall
with her, and you''re trying to regain your footing. After all, that woman doesn’t exactly fall at your feet. It’s perfectly normal to
notice someone special who captures your attention. Honestly, | don’t believe you''re head over heels in love with Violet!”
Patrick paid no heed to Robert, who appeared somewhat disheartened, burdened by a heavy cloud of negativity.
After making his statement, Robert took a sip from his liquor bottle.
Patrick maintained a frigid countenance, took a drag from his cigarette, and wore an enigmatic expression.
Perhaps Robert had a valid point. After all, Patrick had never faced much adversity. despite his family’s immense wealth. Even
though he had chosen to conceal his identity and start from scratch, he had managed to ovee any challenges he
encountered during his entrepreneurial journey with ease.
However, when it came to Violet, he had hit a roadblock.
In the past, he had dismissed women who failed to capture his interest, and he had never encountered a situation where
someone didn’t hold him in high regard!
Yet, Violet had imparted a profound lesson.
After downing five drinks and smoking thest cigarette from his pack, Patrick extinguished the cigarette and stood up abruptly.
“If you want to keep drinking, go ahead. I’m leaving.”
With those words, Patrick turned and departed without another word.
Patrick drove around aimlessly for an extended period.
Upon his return to Hersey Court, he found Violet seated on the couch, peacefully asleep.
Earlier tonight, after her return to Hersey Court, she had received Patrick’s phone call. She had initially lied and responded with
anger, abruptly ending the call.
However, after regaining herposure, she realized it wasn’t the right course.
Tue, 27 Feb
In their past interactions, she had engaged in cold conflicts and attempted to distance herself from Patrick.
However, such actions only intensified her inner turmoil and caused her to think about Patrick more often.
Hence, Violet ultimately decided that it was necessary to have a heartfelt conversation. with Patrick.
On this evening, she wasn’t trying to stand him up. It was just that she had caught wind. of his uing blind date, so she didn’t
want to apany him home..
She believed that if she exined herself adequately, Patrick would be able to understand her point of view.
However, as she waited, exhaustion got the best of her, and she fell asleep without seeing Patrick return.
Violet jolted awake at the sound of the door opening.
She then observed Patrick changing shoes in silence and heading toward the stairs.
Violet rose from the couch and gazed directly at him.
But Patrick seemed utterly oblivious to her presence, his face devoid of expression as he approached the staircase.
Violet couldn''t contain herself and spoke up directly: “Mr. Hersey, can we have a conversation?”
Patrick turned around, his demeanor icy as he regarded Violet. “What is there to talk
about?”
Violet hesitated, realizing that her tone during their earlier phone call had been less. than pleasant, and she could understand
why Patrick might be upset.
Summoning her patience, she said, “I''d like to discuss what happened tonight.”
Asudden,plex, and sardonic smile crept across Patrick’s stern face. “What''s there to discuss? Are we going to talk about
your delightful dinner with Skyler?”
Violet''splexion changed. “Mr. Hersey, I’m serious about talking to you. Could you please drop the cryptic tone? The reason |
didn’t apany you home is because I...”