Dennis's underground wine cellar was unexpectedly luxurious, with walls adorned in gold and opulence. Even the wine glasses were made of fine jade, and the shelves were lined with rare and exquisite wines.
The dim lighting and hazy atmosphere of the wine cellar left Claire momentarily stunned.
"Do we really have to drink here?" Claire asked softly. Dennis turned to look at her, teasingly asking, "What, you scared I might try something?" Claire thought to herself that whatever was going to happen had already happened. She just felt that, given her current status, she shouldn't be alone with him in such an intimate setting.
Dennis assured her he just wanted to drink. He then removed his suit jacket, revealing a dark shirt underneath, and unbuttoned the top three buttons, showcasing his perfect physique. His handsome face and elegant demeanor were enough to make anyone's heart race. His long fingers lightly tapped the wine rack as he selected a bottle, his aristocratic aura growing stronger.
Claire stared at him, her emotions in turmoil. She quickly looked away, afraid she might throw herself at him, longing for the tenderness of the past.
Dennis picked out a bottle of red wine, expertly opened it, and poured a glass for Claire.
Claire thought that if she got drunk, she could sleep until the afternoon and avoid witnessing Dennis marry someone else. She took the glass and downed it in one go. The wine was sweet and tangy, with a pleasant taste.
Dennis was taken aback, thinking she was drinking it like water rather than savoring it.
Claire boldly asked for a refill. Dennis chuckled and jokingly asked, "Want a bigger glass?" Claire shouted, "Why not? Drown my sorrows in wine!"
Claire downed another full glass of red wine as if it were a soft drink. Dennis sipped his wine elegantly, his eyes never leaving her. He admired her thick, wavy hair, her delicate face, and her beautiful eyes, finding her boldness incredibly charming.
Soon, they had drunk more than half the bottle. Claire hiccuped, realizing she was still quite sober. She asked about the wine's alcohol content and learned it was only 8%. Feeling frustrated, she asked for whiskey.
Dennis had hoped they could have a quiet conversation without interruptions, which was why he chose this place. He hadn't expected Claire to drink so much. He told her the whiskey was too strong for her, but Claire didn't listen. She found a bottle of whiskey with 43% alcohol content, opened it, and took a few swigs straight from the bottle.
Dennis was both shocked and worried. He quickly stepped forward, grabbed the bottle from her, and scolded her for being reckless. Claire choked and started coughing violently, leaning on the table. Dennis gently patted her back with his warm hand.
Tears streamed down Claire's face as she turned and threw herself into Dennis's arms.
Dennis was momentarily stunned but then wrapped his arms around her. Claire's tears soaked his shirt. She thought to herself that she might as well be reckless one last time before he got married, as there would be no more chances after this.
Suddenly, Claire looked up, wrapped her arms around Dennis's neck, and stood on tiptoe to kiss him. But Dennis was too tall, and she couldn't reach. Just as she was about to give up, Dennis lifted her by the waist, bringing their faces close enough for a kiss.
Claire's breath caught. She cupped his face with trembling hands and pressed her lips to his. Dennis closed his eyes and tightened his grip on her waist, responding to her kiss. Their passion ignited by the alcohol, they kissed more and more fervently by the wine rack.
After a long, heated kiss, Dennis released Claire. She realized what she had done and held her head, her mind blank for a few seconds.
Dennis grabbed the whiskey bottle and took a swig, trying to cool the fire inside him with the cold alcohol.
He turned to look at Claire, his breath heavy, feeling another surge of impulse. Claire decided to leave, not wanting to make any more mistakes. She had only taken a few steps when Dennis grabbed her arm and pulled her into his chest.
"You're just gonna leave after kissing me?" Dennis's voice was hoarse.
He then cupped Claire's chin and kissed her again. Claire's mind went blank, wondering why he was being so forward.
Dennis couldn't explain his feelings at that moment. He was acting on instinct, just wanting to kiss her and not let her go. He felt a fire burning inside him, his soul yearning for her, not understanding why she had such a strong hold on him, making him lose his usual calm and rationality.
Claire knew him too well. While enduring his kiss, she sensed something was wrong. Feeling the danger, she started to push him away, knowing they couldn't make this mistake. Despite her love and desire for him, she had moral boundaries.
After pushing Dennis away, she apologized, blaming her behavior on the alcohol, and firmly left.
Dennis, hearing her words, was reminded of the reality that they were both about to have other partners, feeling a mix of emotions.
Back in her room, Claire collapsed on the floor, crying her heart out.
Meanwhile, Ivy was too excited to sleep, dreaming of becoming Dennis's wife the next day. Cleo advised her to sleep early to be in good spirits for the wedding night.
Raymond and Zachary were also drinking and reminiscing.
Raymond expressed concern that Zachary should find a partner, but Zachary said his work was his partner.
Dennis returned to his room, his thoughts in turmoil, replaying the events in the wine cellar, feeling a pang of jealousy towards Claire's boyfriend, wondering who he was and what he looked like.
At six in the morning, Claire curled up on the couch, watching the sunrise with puffy eyes, looking utterly exhausted.
Today was Dennis's wedding day, and the estate was bustling with activity. The servants were busy preparing for the wedding, moving through the corridors.
Dennis, not feeling well, didn't get up immediately. The wedding held no excitement for him.
A servant came to wake him, and Dennis finally got up and headed to the bathroom to take a shower and clear his head.
Qiana, dressed in a white dress with her thick silver hair pinned up with a ruby-studded hairpin, exuded wealth and elegance as she arrived. She sat on the couch, waiting to have breakfast with Dennis.
After waiting for about twenty minutes and seeing that Dennis hadn't come down, Qiana grew anxious. She asked a servant and decided to go upstairs herself.
On the third floor, Qiana knocked on the door. Dennis, shirtless and wearing only a white towel around his waist, with water dripping from his hair, opened the door.
The maid behind him blushed and looked down. Qiana frowned and told him to get dressed quickly.
Dennis nodded, saying he would be down soon, and asked Qiana to go ahead and have breakfast.
Qiana insisted on waiting for him and praised Dennis for excelling in everything. As she turned to leave, she instructed the servants to take good care of Claire next door, even if she didn't attend the wedding.
Dennis then put on his wedding suit, his hair still damp, and walked to Claire's door, knocking.
Claire, exhausted and about to fall asleep, opened the door. Dennis saw her disheveled hair and puffy eyes and frowned, asking if she hadn't slept all night.
Claire lied, saying she had just been woken up. In reality, she felt dizzy and unwell.
Dennis sensed something was wrong. He touched her forehead, finding it hot, and guessed she might have a fever. He picked her up and took her to the hospital.