Chapter 107 Drunk

Nolan's heart skipped a beat, and he said, "There's already some movement. They're planning a shareholders' meeting to really dig into this. It's just some public opinion right now, but I don't get why the board's freaking out!"

Someone was definitely stirring the pot behind the scenes. None of these folks were easy to deal with!

Nolan knew a bit about the Anderson family's internal affairs, but he kept his mouth shut to protect his paycheck.

Seeing Nolan's angry expression, Lewis chuckled and said dismissively, "As expected, they can't come up with anything better. Don't sweat it, we'll figure it out as it comes. I've been handling things on my own for years; I'm not easily messed with."

But... this was actually a rare opportunity!

Lewis grabbed his car keys and headed outside.

Even though the internet and the company were in chaos, Lewis, the person at the center of it all, felt better than usual.

He found a bar and started to unwind, drinking heavily.

Meanwhile, Daphne was at home, torn about whether she should tell Lewis or the board about what she had heard today.

But she was just a lowly secretary. Even if she spoke up, who would believe her?

After all, this was an internal conflict within the Anderson family. As an outsider, she shouldn't get involved.

Lately, Daphne had been eager to distance herself from the Anderson family. She really didn't want to get caught up in this mess.

But Lewis...

Lewis had always had things go his way since he was a child. She wondered if he could handle the overwhelming criticism.

As she was lost in thought, someone started banging on her door.

Daphne was startled and instinctively grabbed the pepper spray from the table. "Who is it?"

She walked to the door and cautiously looked through the peephole.

"Daphne, it's me!" Lewis's voice came through, sounding unusually vulnerable.

Hearing his voice, Daphne didn't hesitate for a second and opened the door to let him in.

Along with him came the strong smell of alcohol.

Lewis wasn't someone who liked to drink heavily. In fact, he hated the grogginess that came with it. He was the type of person who always needed to be in control. 

But lately, for some reason, he kept drinking until he was out of it.

"Mr. Anderson, are you okay?" Daphne carefully observed him, trying to read his expression.

But even drunk, Lewis was hard to read. His face was like a block of ice, rarely showing any emotion.

Still, having worked with him for so many years, Daphne could sense that he was deeply troubled.

"Mr. Anderson, have a rest. I'll get you some lemon honey water." Daphne helped him to the sofa, struggling to get him to sit. She turned to get the lemon honey water, but he grabbed her wrist tightly.

When she turned back, she was met with his watery eyes.

In all the years she had known him, this was the first time Daphne had seen him so vulnerable and helpless. It broke her heart.

"Mr. Anderson? What's wrong?" Daphne's voice softened, afraid of hurting him.

"Do you believe in me?" Lewis's voice was filled with a dog-like sadness.

This was the first time he had shown such helplessness and pity in front of Daphne.

Just a look and a sentence managed to make Daphne's heart ache profoundly.

No matter how much she tried to control herself, she couldn't stop her feelings. Her heart kept racing, filled with unrealistic fantasies about him.

She took a deep breath and sat down beside him, nodding. "I believe you. You wouldn't do something like that."

A barely noticeable smile tugged at the corner of Lewis's mouth.

He leaned against Daphne's shoulder, looking even more pitiful, like a stray dog.

"Daphne, do you really believe in me?" He sounded genuinely hurt. "Don't you always hate me?"

Hate?

Daphne found the word laughable. What right did she have to hate him?

But she couldn't reveal her true feelings. She couldn't let herself fall for him, couldn't lose her heart, couldn't humiliate herself any further.

"I don't hate you."

"I believe in you."

The words Daphne had intended to say changed meaning as they left her mouth.

Now, Lewis fully understood her feelings.

He immediately leaned in, wrapping his arms around her waist, his watery eyes fixed on her. "You have to always believe in me. Don't ever leave me, okay?"

'He's drunk!'

Daphne's heart fluttered as she repeated this to herself, trying to calm her restless heart.

"You've had too much to drink. Let me take you to rest."

Daphne averted her gaze and tried to lead him to the bedroom.

Lewis, not getting the answer he wanted, reluctantly followed her, step by step, into the bedroom.

"Daphne, is it so hard for you to tell the truth?" Lewis held her hand tightly, staring at her. "Can't you just say you like me?"

She really couldn't say it. Saying it would be a disaster.

Daphne was no longer a naive teenager. She knew that love couldn't overcome all obstacles. Besides, they weren't even in love. All these years, the tenderness and passion had been a one-sided act on her part.

If she didn't say it, she could still hold onto a shred of dignity. If she did, she would lose everything.

"Mr. Anderson, you've had too much to drink. Get some rest." Daphne turned her face away, avoiding his gaze, afraid she would give in.

Seeing her like this, Lewis felt a surge of anger. He had laid himself bare, and she still acted like this!

She clearly had feelings for him but pretended not to care. It was infuriating.

Lewis pulled her into his arms, giving her no chance to struggle, pressing his body against hers.

They both knew what such actions meant, but they were no longer in that kind of relationship.

Daphne was terrified and struggled hard. "No, stop it! Let go of me!"

Lewis held her tighter. "Don't move. I just want to hold you."