Chapter 95
The terrace was dead quiet.
Tamsin shot daggers at Yvonne, her eyes blazing. "Yvonne, that's enough. I've had it with you. Do you really hate Zoey that much? If you can't stand her, why'd you even come? What's your deal?"
"Marcus, was Yvonne adopted by the Graham family? How can she be so rude?"
Daniel cleared his throat awkwardly. "Let's not get carried away."
Even though Tamsin's words hit home, they were pretty harsh.
Marcus's face darkened as he warned Yvonne, "Cut it out with the weird questions."
Yvonne felt wronged. "What do you mean by weird questions? I'm just asking normal stuff. Zoey, are you scared to answer?"
Zoey calmly picked up her teacup. "No."
Her voice was steady and confident, instantly calming Alexander's restless heart. A smile crept onto his lips.
"My turn." Zoey spun the bottle, and it pointed at Yvonne.
Yvonne straightened up. "I choose truth!"
Zoey's lips curved slightly. "Then toast to the person you dislike the most here and say three genuine compliments."
Yvonne's face froze.
That was brutal.
If she chose Zoey, she'd have to publicly compliment the person she disliked the most.
If she didn't choose Zoey, it would mean admitting she couldn't handle the game and would have to face a penalty.
"I...," Yvonne bit her lip, "Isn't truth supposed to be about choosing someone you like?"
Zoey smiled. "I make the rules, don't I? You can choose dare if you prefer."
She knew Yvonne wanted to use this opportunity to confess to Alexander, but she wouldn't let Yvonne have her way.
"Fine, I choose dare." Yvonne was happy to switch, thinking that dare might involve hugging or kissing Alexander.
Her cheeks flushed at the thought, but Zoey saw right through her. "The dare is to toast to the person you dislike the most here and say three genuine compliments."
Yvonne was speechless.
How was this different from the truth?
She realized Zoey was doing this on purpose, deliberately preventing her from getting close to Alexander.
"Ms. Graham, are you chickening out?" Zoey challenged her.
Tamsin chimed in, "Yeah, are you chickening out?"
Marcus suggested Yvonne could quit if she didn't want to play.
Alexander looked at her coldly. "Yvonne, if you don't want to play, you can give up."
Yvonne felt conflicted. It was the first time Alexander had shown favoritism towards her, and he was telling her to give up.
If she really gave up, it would be too embarrassing.
Reluctantly, Yvonne picked up her glass and walked towards Zoey. "Ms. King, I toast to you."
She forced herself to say, "Your violin playing is excellent, you look beautiful today, and..."
She racked her brain for the last compliment, which made her feel sick. "You are very popular with everyone."
Each word felt like swallowing a fly.
Zoey elegantly raised her glass. "Thank you."
Tamsin snickered, and Daniel discreetly squeezed her hand.
The game continued, and this time the bottle pointed at Alexander.
"Alexander!" Tamsin asked excitedly, "Truth or dare?"
Alexander looked at Zoey. "You choose for me."
Zoey raised an eyebrow. "Dare."
"Then..." Tamsin grinned mischievously at the two of them. "Alexander, say something to the person you like in front of everyone!"
She wanted Yvonne to know exactly who Alexander belonged to.
Alexander was silent for a moment, then suddenly reached out and held Zoey's hand. "I'll protect you for life. Anyone who messes with you messes with me."
Although it seemed like he was speaking to everyone, his gaze was fixed on Yvonne, the warning clear.
Yvonne's face turned pale, and she almost dropped her glass.
What did this mean?
Was he openly telling everyone that Zoey was the one he liked?
She felt a surge of resentment.
"This game is no fun. Let's play something else," Yvonne suggested.
"Yvonne, enough! Are you done yet?" Marcus stood up, ready to take Yvonne away.
Zoey spoke up. "Sure, Ms. Graham, what do you want to play?"
"Yeah, what do you want to play? We're game," Tamsin said with a smile, enjoying Yvonne's humiliation.
"Blindfolded guessing," Yvonne said smugly. "Blindfolded, you have to identify people by touch. If you guess wrong, you have to dance a hot dance with the person you like."
She glanced at Alexander, thinking this game would create physical contact and showcase her elegance.
Tamsin clapped excitedly. "Sounds fun! Zoey, let's play together?"
Zoey didn't respond. Honestly, she wouldn't lose, but what if someone targeted her?
Dancing a hot dance in front of everyone? She couldn't do it.
Alexander's face darkened, lost in thought.
The atmosphere cooled, and Marcus stepped forward, pulling Yvonne away. "You should focus on your jewelry business and stop coming to these parties."
"Why?" Yvonne shook off his hand. "We're all adults. Who can't dance a hot dance?"
"Are some people afraid?" She hinted at Zoey, and everyone understood.
Tamsin was displeased. "Yvonne, don't leave. Who says we can't play? Marcus, don't pull her."
"Exactly, we can all play." Yvonne walked back.
She smiled, thinking that if she lost, she would choose someone to dance with, and they couldn't refuse.
So she wanted Zoey to win, showing her friendliness and getting close to Alexander.
"I'll add a rule. The person being touched can request not to be touched. If I don't want to be touched, I just need to speak up and let the person know who I am," Alexander said coldly.
Yvonne was stunned. Was Alexander targeting her?
Probably not.
Their families had known each other for over a decade. He wouldn't refuse her touch.
It must be directed at Zoey.
Yes, definitely at Zoey.
Even if Alexander liked Zoey, in a high-class place like the Garcia Villa, he would maintain decorum, telling everyone he wasn't to be touched casually.
Thinking this, Yvonne felt smug, eager to play the game.
"Zoey, if you think dancing a hot dance is bad, we can change the punishment," Tamsin said, worried as Zoey remained silent.
They could identify each other even with closed eyes, but Zoey had only known them for a short time. Glenn and Ophelia rarely spoke, and Zoey didn't know them well. She would definitely lose in a blindfolded guessing game.
Tamsin didn't want Zoey to feel bad.