Chapter 258: Bar Trouble
The car drove through the night, the atmosphere inside somewhat heavy.
Emily clutched the wooden box, her fingers gently tracing the intricate carvings on its surface. What would her mother's diary contain? Would it record anything about that man from Eldoria? Would it mention the feud between the Campbell and Windsor families?
Her heart was filled with conflict. Even Daphne disapproved of her relationship with Charles—her future seemed truly fraught with thorns.
In the silence, Elodie suddenly spoke up. "Emily, are you okay?"
Emily forced a smile. "I'm fine. Just feeling a bit overwhelmed."
"Because of what Daphne said?"
"She said the feud between the Campbell and Windsor families runs deep—so deep that even she doesn't know the specifics. She also said Mom once loved a man from Eldoria and left the Campbell family for him."
Elodie's eyes widened in surprise. "What?"
Emily smiled bitterly. "I know so little about Mom's past. Learning all this suddenly... it's confusing."
Elodie fell silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "Emily, let's get a drink."
"A drink?"
"Yes. Too much has happened today—we both need to unwind. I know a quiet bar with a nice atmosphere, not too loud. Let's have a few drinks and forget all our troubles."
Emily thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright."
She really did need alcohol to numb herself right now, to temporarily forget all these worries.
Elodie turned the car around and headed toward a bar in the east district. It was a lounge bar with tasteful décor, soft lighting, and soothing music—perfect for relaxation.
They found a corner table and ordered two cocktails.
"Cheers," Elodie raised her glass. "To both of us, finding happiness."
Emily clinked glasses with her. "Cheers."
The alcohol went down with a slight bitterness, yet brought a sense of relief. Emily leaned back on the sofa, watching the dim lights of the bar, feeling an indescribable weariness wash over her.
"Elodie," she said softly, "do you think... Charles and I can really make it to the end?"
Elodie looked at her seriously. "I believe you can."
"But... what about the historical feud between the Campbell and Windsor families?"
"That's the previous generation's business. You can't give up your own happiness because of past grievances. You and Charles truly love each other, and you have three children together. Isn't that enough to help you withstand the pressure?"
Emily's eyes reddened. "Thank you, Elodie. Whenever I'm lost, you always give me strength."
"Because we're best friends. Best friends for life."
They had a few more drinks, and under the influence of alcohol, their moods seemed to genuinely lighten. Emily began chatting with Elodie about the children, about Charles's silly antics, about all their moments together.
Elodie complained about work at the hospital, about her parents' pressure to get married, about... that man who made her so irritated.
Elodie took another sip and said, "Tell me, what's wrong with Daniel? Who gave him the right to make decisions for me? Who gave him the right to stop me from exchanging numbers with Baron? Who does he think he is!"
Emily watched her indignant expression and couldn't help laughing. "Elodie, you seem to care an awful lot about Daniel."
Elodie immediately protested, "Who cares about him! I just hate him! I hate his superior attitude, hate how he meddles in other people's business, hate how he..."
Her words suddenly stopped because she saw Emily looking at her with an amused expression.
"Hate how he what?" Emily asked.
"Hate... hate everything about him!" Elodie finished, then took a large gulp of her drink.
Just then, a man in a floral shirt approached them. He looked to be in his thirties, clearly drunk, swaying as he walked.
The man sidled up to Elodie. "Hey, beautiful, drinking alone is no fun. How about I join you for a few drinks?"
Elodie frowned. "No thanks, I'm with my friend."
"Friend?" The man glanced at Emily, his eyes lighting up. "Sorry, I didn't notice there was another gorgeous lady here. Even better—let's all have a drink together."
He started to sit down next to Elodie.
Elodie immediately stood up. "Please leave."
The man reached for Elodie's hand. "Don't be so cold. I just want to be friends."
Emily also stood up, stepping in front of Elodie. "Sir, please show some respect."
The man looked at Emily, a flash of admiration in his eyes. "This beauty is even prettier. What's wrong? Jealous that I'm not drinking with you? Don't worry, I won't forget about you—let's all three of us have fun together."
He reached for Emily's arm.
Emily stepped back, saying coldly, "If you continue this behavior, I'm calling security."
The man laughed. "Security? Do you know who I am? The owner of this bar is my friend. You're not leaving tonight unless you have a few drinks with me."
He reached out to grab Emily's wrist.
Suddenly, a large hand caught the man's wrist in a vice-like grip.
"Ah!" the man cried out in pain, turning to look.
Charles had appeared behind them, his face dark as a thundercloud.
"Who... who are you?" the man struggled, but Charles's hand was like an iron clamp, immovable.
Charles looked at him coldly. "I'm her husband."
The man's face changed. "Sorry, sorry, I didn't know."
"Get lost." Charles released his grip, his voice ice-cold.
The man scrambled away.
Only then did Charles turn to look at Emily. His gaze swept over her, taking in her flushed cheeks and the smell of alcohol in the air, his frown deepening.
"Emily, you actually dared to come to a bar and drink behind my back?"
Emily felt a bit guilty. "I just came with Elodie to relax."
Charles's tone grew colder. "Do you know how dangerous bars can be?"
Do you know how beautiful you are when you're drunk?
That version of you is for my eyes only—no one else deserves to see it!
Emily looked at his angry expression and suddenly had a bold idea.
She blinked, then stood on her tiptoes, leaning close to Charles's ear. As if reading his thoughts, she whispered in a voice only they could hear, "I'm even more beautiful with my clothes off. Want to see?"
Her warm breath brushed against Charles's ear, carrying the faint scent of alcohol mixed with Emily's unique sweet fragrance. Charles's body instantly tensed.
Seeing no reaction from him, Emily grew bolder. She extended a slender finger, lightly tracing Charles's Adam's apple, feeling it bob once.
Her voice carried the seductive charm of intoxication. "Charles, you're so handsome when you're angry."
Charles's breathing grew noticeably heavier.
He caught Emily's wandering hand, his voice husky. "Emily, stop teasing."