Chapter 94
Jerry hesitated, successfully piquing Zoey's curiosity.
"Like what?"
"Like how I look at my favorite guitar," Jerry said with a grin. "I treasure it so much."
Zoey turned away, her ears turning a bit red. "That's ridiculous."
As she walked off, Jerry joked with his friends, remembering he had a gift for Zoey. He quickly caught up to her.
"Hey, Zoey, you forgot your gift." Jerry handed her a small wooden box.
"What's this?" Zoey asked, opening it to find a hair clip inside.
"We knew this was something your mom left for you, and we've been wanting to give it back. But after you left, we couldn't find you," Jerry said, his tone light but his mood heavy.
"So the four of us decided to join the entertainment industry just to find you and return this."
Zoey was touched; she thought the hair clip was lost forever.
"Thank you."
Jerry opened his arms playfully. "A verbal thank you isn't enough. How about a hug?"
"I don't..." Zoey started to refuse, but was quickly enveloped in Jerry's embrace.
It was a brief hug, but Zoey heard some people crying.
Back in the banquet hall, Tamsin rushed over. "Zoey! You're amazing!"
Zoey handed her the album. "Jerry's gift for you."
Tamsin saw the signed album and hugged Zoey excitedly. "I love you, Zoey! Jerry actually gave you a signed album!"
Alexander walked over and gently pulled Zoey out of Tamsin's embrace. "Don't bother her."
"Alexander, you're so biased!" Tamsin pouted but let go obediently.
Alexander caught a whiff of Zoey's perfume, which wasn't his—it was Jerry's.
His eyes darkened. "Did he hug you?"
Zoey didn't catch his question. "What?"
"I said," Alexander's smile was dangerous, "did you two hug?"
Zoey sensed his anger and replied softly, "Yes, I pushed him away. I'll shower when I get home."
She had indeed pushed Jerry away, not letting the hug last too long.
It wasn't the answer Alexander wanted, but he had to accept it. "Alright."
After Echo Vibes' performance, Tamsin dragged Zoey to the door to see them off. Jerry tried to pull a prank, but was stopped by Zoey's glare.
Couldn't these guys see the chaos they were causing?
Even with her low emotional intelligence, Zoey could see Alexander's murderous look towards Jerry.
Tamsin sensed Alexander's anger and stopped chatting with Jerry.
Alexander's possessiveness was terrifying.
After the concert, some people left while others stayed to chat and discuss business.
Nearby, Tamsin was showing off her new album to Daniel.
Daniel was jealous. "Is it really that good? Why don't you get that excited about me?"
"Why should I be excited about you?" Tamsin found him ridiculous.
Daniel was getting angry. "What? Tamsin, I have money, power, and looks. How am I not better than Jerry? I can sing too, you know! Want me to sing a few songs and charm you?"
"Don't!" Tamsin was scared. "His singing is enjoyable, and your singing is miserable. Why don't you keep it to yourself? Thank you."
While they joked around, Zoey sat next to Alexander, holding the hot tea he had just poured for her.
Zoey wanted to drink alcohol, but Alexander wouldn't allow it, reminding her she had complained about a sore throat a few days ago.
Such a meticulous man.
"Zoey," Yvonne approached with a champagne glass, her smile sweet. "I didn't expect you and Jerry to be so close. He looks at you differently."
"Is there a story between you two? Care to share?"
Alexander's fingers paused on the edge of his teacup.
Tamsin stopped joking and leaned in. "Zoey, is there really a story?"
She also felt Jerry treated Zoey with unusual respect.
"No story, I'm just a lucky fan," Zoey replied gently to Tamsin.
"Yes, Zoey is always the best," Tamsin believed her and didn't press further.
Zoey looked calmly at Yvonne. "Yvonne, what do you want to know?"
"Nothing, just curious," Yvonne feigned innocence, blinking. "How did you meet? Why does he respect you so much?"
Tamsin immediately interrupted. "Yvonne, why are you asking so much?"
"Yvonne," Marcus warned, then smiled apologetically at Zoey. "Yvonne is just very curious."
Zoey took a sip of tea. "We met by chance at a music festival. He's just being polite."
"Really?" Yvonne clearly didn't believe it. "But you two were so in sync during your duet, like you've known each other for a long time."
Alexander suddenly put down his teacup, the porcelain clinking sharply.
Yvonne flinched at the sound and met Alexander's cold gaze, falling silent.
"Everyone, don't just sit around!" Daniel suggested, breaking the tension. "How about a game?"
"What game?" Tamsin asked.
Yvonne's eyes lit up. "Truth or dare!"
She had already planned it. Whether Zoey chose truth or dare, she could set a trap.
If Zoey chose truth, she'd ask personal questions;
If Zoey chose dare, she'd make her do something outrageous.
Either way, she intended to expose Zoey in front of Alexander.
Tamsin raised her hand excitedly. "I'm in!"
Daniel and Marcus nodded in agreement.
Alexander looked at Zoey, who shrugged indifferently. "Whatever you guys want."
The game began, and the first to be chosen was Daniel.
"Truth or dare?" Tamsin asked mischievously.
"Dare!" Daniel chose without hesitation.
Tamsin's eyes twinkled. "Then... kiss the person you like most here!"
Daniel's face turned red instantly, and he quickly glanced at Tamsin.
Tamsin's ears turned red. "No way."
Daniel grabbed his drink and downed it. "I accept the penalty!"
Everyone cheered, and the atmosphere warmed up.
In the second round, Yvonne spun the bottle, and it pointed directly at Zoey.
"Zoey," Yvonne's eyes gleamed with calculation. "Truth or dare?"
Zoey put down her teacup. "Truth."
"Are you and Jerry... really just friends?" Yvonne asked innocently. "He looks at you differently."
Alexander's fingers tapped silently on the table, his gaze unreadable.
Zoey smiled slightly. "That's the second question."
"Then let me rephrase," Yvonne persisted. "Have you ever had a relationship beyond friendship?"