Chapter 306: Not Being Clear-Headed Is Also Quite Good

The words hit me like a thunderclap.

I flinched, my whole body trembling as I jerked my head away. My voice cracked with panic. "William, look at me! I'm still married! You're not thinking straight! Let me go!"

Before I could finish, he scooped me up and spun around, pinning me against the plush sofa.

His tall frame loomed over me, casting me completely in shadow. Every movement radiated absolute control.

William looked down at me, his eyes churning with barely restrained emotion. "I've been thinking too straight all this time. That's why I kept letting you slip away. Now that I'm not thinking straight? Perfect."

I opened my mouth to protest, but he was already leaning in. His hands locked around my wrists, pressing them against the sofa on either side of me. His warm lips came down without warning.

There was no rough conquest. Instead, it was the loss of control that comes after holding back too long—heavy and urgent.

My heart went into freefall. Logic screamed at me to push him away, but the part of me that couldn't let him go flickered back to life under his burning touch.

Outside the door.

Matthew and Charles hadn't left.

Charles's brow furrowed tight, his tone accusatory. "Matthew, what the hell did you put in William's drink?"

He remembered William's flushed cheeks and uneven breathing from earlier. It clicked instantly.

Matthew leaned against the wall, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. Through the curling smoke, his voice carried a hint of disdain. "You think I'd hurt him? I'm helping him."

He took a long drag and exhaled a smoke ring. "You know how William is—obsessed with all those rules and propriety, always holding himself back. Evelyn's been taking advantage of that, walking all over him."

Charles stared at him in disbelief. "What... what are you saying?"

"Tonight, I'm making sure they seal the deal. Once it's done, let's see where Evelyn can run. She'll have no choice but to stay by William's side."

Matthew crushed the cigarette butt in a trash can.

As they talked, they spotted Michael stepping out of the elevator with a business partner.

Michael, usually so arrogant, had lowered himself. His tone was urgent. "Mr. Parker, we've worked together so many times. You know me. Partner with me, and I won't let you down."

Before he could finish, Lawrence Parker cut him off.

"Michael, it's not that I don't want to help. Your father Caspian already reached out. Besides, Charles is on a winning streak right now. If I work with you, I'd be slapping them in the face."

Lawrence's tone was dismissive. Without waiting for Michael to respond, he hurried off.

Michael swallowed his fury. As he turned, his peripheral vision caught two figures standing by a private room door down the hall.

Them?

Ha. What a small world.

Matthew and Charles had clearly seen him too.

Matthew raised his voice deliberately, speaking to Charles. "We'd better guard William's door tonight. Can't let the duck fly away when it's already on the plate. Can't let anyone ruin his big moment."

Michael understood instantly. Shock flooded through him as he stared at the closed door behind them.

Rage surged like a tidal wave, only to be replaced by something deeper—heartbreak.

So today, on the day of his greatest defeat, she was celebrating with the three of them. Celebrating his downfall.

On his darkest day, she couldn't wait to jump into bed with William.

What could he even say?

His eyes went hollow as he stared at that door. He just stood there, staring.

After a long moment, Michael let out a soft, bitter laugh—full of self-mockery and desolation.

He didn't step forward. Didn't demand answers. He just slowly turned and stumbled down the hallway until he disappeared.

Charles frowned deeply.

He'd expected Michael to storm up and cause a scene.

Given his usual temperament, he'd never tolerate this kind of provocation.

But now? He'd said nothing. Just... left?

A flicker of concern crossed Charles's eyes. He shot Matthew an annoyed look. "Fine, we helped William. But why'd you have to provoke Michael like that? What if you push him over the edge? His psycho mother will come after you."

Matthew shoved his hands in his pockets, his tone indifferent. "What's gonna happen? He insisted on fighting William for her. He brought this on himself."

He glanced at Charles with a casual shrug. "Besides, if something does happen to him, wouldn't that be convenient? Your position would be even more secure."

"I'm not trying to destroy him completely." Charles glared, his tone serious. "He's still my dad's son."

Just then, the door to the private room flew open, startling both men mid-conversation.

They turned to see Evelyn stumble out, her face flushed bright red. She nearly tripped in her frantic rush.

She didn't acknowledge them. Just bolted forward like she was fleeing a ghost.

Matthew and Charles exchanged a glance as they watched her retreat.

Charles spoke in disbelief. "Did they...? That was fast."

Matthew rubbed his chin, then shook his head. "Hard to say. Come on, let's go check."

They pushed open the door. William sat on the sofa, his usual cold composure restored.

But the trash can was filled with crumpled tissues.

A closer look revealed the flush on his neck and face hadn't completely faded. His collar was slightly wrinkled. Only his eyes remained ice-cold.

They were all men. The two exchanged a knowing glance.

Matthew sidled up with a sly grin. "William, how far did you and Evelyn get just now?"

William didn't answer. His gaze fell on the spiked drink on the table. His face darkened as he turned to them. "Who did it?"

Charles immediately stepped back, rushing to clear his name. "William, it wasn't me! Even if you gave me ten times the courage, I wouldn't dare mess with your drink."

Matthew scratched his nose, glancing at William guiltily. He mumbled, "I was just trying to help. You've been dragging your feet with Evelyn forever. I was getting anxious for you."

William's gaze remained locked on the glass, his tone devoid of emotion. "Since you prepared it, you drink it."

Charles snickered from the sidelines.

Matthew's face went pale. "No, no, no... William, come on. I was trying to help you. This is biting the hand that feeds you!"

But William said nothing more. He just stared at him, his eyes cold enough to freeze blood.

Matthew's heart pounded. He knew William's temper too well.

If he didn't drink that glass, William might actually turn on him.

Finally, under William's unrelenting stare, Matthew steeled himself. He grabbed the glass and downed it in one gulp.

The moment he finished, William stood and walked out of the room without a word.

As soon as William left, Charles burst out laughing. "Want me to call you a hooker to take the edge off?"

"Fuck off."