Chapter 182


    It was Izzy’s first time at a ce like this. She''d expected a bustling scene, but it turned out to be far


    from her imagination. The ce was peaceful and free ofplications.


    "This isn''t what I''d expected." She said.


    "Did you think all men''s hangouts are messy?" Ethan asked.


    Izzyughed and said, "Let''s go. We shouldn''t keep them waiting."


    By the time they got to the private room, everyone had already arrived. Phoebe gave Izzy a dirty


    look upon her entrance. Izzy knew exactly why she was upset. She had deliberately tried to set


    Phoebe up with Noel.


    Izzy was happy and wanted her only best friend to find a good boyfriend soon.


    "You guys finally made it； we''ve been waiting forever."


    If it weren''t for her voice, Izzy wouldn''t have noticed Ashley sitting next to Aaron. Before she could


    ask, Ethan beat her to it, "What are you doing here? Aren''t you supposed to be in school?"


    "Please, my dear brother. I''m a college student now. I can go wherever I want." Ashley rolled her


    eyes.


    "This isn''t a ce for you." Ethan said to Ashley.


    "Oh, cut the crap. I''m an adult. Can you stop treating me like I''m a prisoner?" Ashley pleaded.


    "Ethan, you don''t need to worry about her. I''m going to take her back myself tonight. She bumped


    into me earlier, found out I was meeting you guys, and begged me to bring her." Aaron said.


    To Izzy, Aaron, with his eyes full of fondness, seemed to be more of a gentle and caring brother to


    Ashley than Ethan was.


    Ethan''s face remained glum. Noel spoke, "Ethan, you know Ashley. She''s always been like this."


    Izzy tugged at Ethan''s clothes, signaling for him to sit down.


    Ethan finally took a seat on the couch, pulling Izzy to sit next to him. Ashley made a snidement,


    "As expected, his wife has the final say."


    Aaron patted her hand, "You better keep quiet, or else your brother might throw you out, and I won''t


    help you."


    "You''re too much. If I hadn''t been worried about you being lonely, I wouldn''t have bothereding


    to this boring old man''s gathering." Ashley said, loud enough for everyone to hear.


    The three men exchanged nces, their faces turning sour.


    Izzy couldn''t help butugh.


    Phoebe finally rxed, smiling at Ashley, "Girl, I like your spirit. It''s bold."


    "Sis, I like you too. Let''s have a drink." Ashley proposed, lifting a can of beer to clink with Phoebe,


    but Aaron intercepted, recing her beer with a Sprite.


    Ashley red at him, "Another thing about old men is that they love to boss people around."


    Aaron just shook his head and smiled.


    Noel initially wanted to swap Phoebe''s beer too. But after hearing Ashley''sment, he hesitated


    and withdrew his hand. He didn''t want to annoy Ashley. After all, he was there to take care of her.


    Izzy felt content seeing everyone interact naturally. She tugged at Ethan''s clothes, "Ethan, I want to


    have a drink too."


    "No. We haven''t eaten yet, no drinking." Ethan was firm on this.


    "Why not? I''m healthy. What''s the harm in a little drink?" Izzyined.


    Ashley and Phoebe gave Izzy a sympathetic look. Then Ashley handed Izzy a Sprite, "Just pretend


    this is beer. We won''t stoop to the level of these childish old men."


    "Ashley, you''re asking for trouble tonight." Ethan gritted his teeth.


    "I''ll stop if that makes you happy." Ashley shrugged.


    Aaron was amused by his sister. She hadn''t changed a bit over the years.


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    Ashley then turned to chat with Phoebe. Like Ashley, Phoebe was lively, and age was no barrier to


    their conversation.


    Izzy joined them, seeing how much fun they were having.


    The men, on the other hand, started discussing business.


    "Aaron, Izzy mentioned that you''re starting your own venture. How''s the preparation going?" Ethan


    asked.


    "Almost ready."


    Ethan nodded, "If you need anything, just ask. Noel and I can help."


    Noel raised his ss, "To celebrate us being together again, cheers."


    Ethan nced at Izzy, "My stomach isn''t doing well and Izzy won''t let me drink."


    "I have to take Ashley back to school, so no drinking for me." Aaron declined.


    Noel was slightly annoyed, "I invited you guys for drinks. If none of you drink, it''s no fun for me."


    "Drinking isn''t a good habit. If it''s not necessary, don''t do it. It''s not good for your health." Ethan


    advised. Noel couldn''t help but retort, "Ethan, don''t you feel embarrassed? You were the one who


    used to make me drink all night. Now are you really giving me advice?"