Chapter 54
Mitchell's words sounded so concerned, as if we'd never broken up at all.
"Don't bother. I don't need you to pick me up. Stay away!" I tried to refuse firmly, but my voice came out soft and mushy.
Because I was drunk, my tone didn't sound angry at all—more like I was being coy.
Too tired to argue with Mitchell, I hung up and sank into a corner chair, closing my eyes and trying to sober up.
But before long, a commotion erupted near the ballroom entrance.
"Seraphine!"
At that familiar voice, I opened my eyes to see Mitchell had actually shown up!
Concern written all over his face, he strode directly toward me.
Everyone turned to stare, their expressions screaming gossip.
"Mitchell and Seraphine aren't over yet?"
"Wait, I thought they broke up?"
The last thing I wanted was to be associated with Mitchell again. I ignored him completely and headed for the exit.
"Seraphine, you're drunk. Let me take you home." Mitchell followed, reaching out to steady me.
I dodged away, stumbling unevenly toward the door, snapping at him. "Back off! Whether I'm drunk or not is none of your business. Could you not act like we're still together?"
Mitchell acted like he hadn't heard me, sighing as he continued following. "How is it not my business? I've always been the one to take you home when you drink too much. Come on, sweetheart. Get in my car. I'll take you home."
His gentle tone made me physically nauseous.
Fighting the urge to punch him, I laughed bitterly. "Mitchell, Brielle's still here. Shouldn't you go check on the woman you actually love instead of playing the devoted ex with me? Doesn't that make you sick?"
"You're talking nonsense. Don't bring her up. I told you, there's nothing between us. You're the only one in my heart!" Mitchell reached for my wrist again.
"Get off me! I'm not going anywhere with you!" I tried to shake him off.
But the alcohol had hit hard, making my legs weak. I could barely stand.
Suddenly, a figure appeared.
Octavius grabbed my wrist, pulling me gently behind him in one smooth motion.
He faced Mitchell, his eyes glacial. "You two are already broken up."
I stared at him in shock.
The ballroom doors still stood open. Everyone was watching us.
I must be really drunk. This had to be a hallucination.
Why would Octavius interfere with my affairs in public?
After I'd humiliated him in front of everyone last time, he'd avoided interacting with me in public for ages.
Looking at Octavius's tall frame shielding me, an indescribable emotion welled up inside.
The next second, I went with it and grabbed his arm, announcing drunkenly and loudly, "That's right! Mitchell, we broke up forever ago! From now on, if I'm drunk, I'm only leaving with Octavius!"
Everyone stared at us in shock.
Octavius's body seemed to stiffen.
But he didn't push me away.
Mitchell's face turned very unpleasant.
Quinlan hurried over, forcing a smile as she tried to intervene. "Octavius, maybe the Whitaker family driver should take Seraphine home. The party isn't over yet, and Grandmother—"
Octavius cut her off directly. "I'll call your grandmother later to apologize personally."
Without giving anyone else a chance to speak, he wrapped an arm around my waist and steered me forcefully toward the hotel exit.
Gasps erupted behind us.
Still somewhat dazed, I couldn't help looking back.
Quinlan stood frozen, biting her lip in humiliation, on the verge of tears.
I pressed my lips together and followed Octavius out.
Outside the hotel, the night breeze hit me, sobering me up slightly. I belatedly realized what I'd just said and done in front of everyone.
I'd caused Octavius trouble again.
Forcibly associating myself with him would only bring him problems.
After tonight, so many people would mock Octavius behind his back.
Such a distinguished man—someone no one in Skyview City dared cross—yet he kept allowing me to humiliate him and still stayed connected to me.
They'd all laugh at him for being pathetic, for falling for a tasteless fake heiress like me.
The more I thought about it, the worse I felt. Before Octavius could speak, I quickly said, "I'm sorry. I caused you trouble again."
"Seraphine."
"I'll get going now. Bye!" I didn't dare continue this conversation with Octavius. I turned to leave.
But Octavius didn't give me that option.
He pulled me back, and I crashed unexpectedly into his solid chest.
His clean, familiar scent instantly surrounded me.
Octavius looked down at me, his tone cold and heavy, suppressing angry fire. "Are you that afraid of being associated with me? That thing you said about only leaving with me—was that just to get rid of Mitchell? You used me as a shield? Seraphine, is there a single honest word that comes out of your mouth? You think I'm a complete idiot, letting you play me like this?"
"No! I..." Panicked, I tried to explain.
But the alcohol hadn't worn off, and my mind was a mess. The more I tried to articulate myself, the less my tongue cooperated. "That's not what I meant. I really..."
My eyes burned with tears that spilled over, yet I couldn't form a single coherent sentence.
Octavius's brow furrowed deeper.
He didn't give me another chance to speak. He yanked open the rear door and firmly shoved me inside, slamming it shut.
Through the window, all the prying eyes outside retreated.
Octavius drove away in tense silence.
The entire drive, the atmosphere in the car was suffocating.
He sat beside me without a word, his expression tight, radiating cold fury.
I curled into the corner, sneaking glances at his stern, handsome profile, my heart aching with a strange flutter I couldn't name.
He seemed to... not be completely indifferent to me.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have gotten so worked up just now.
"Stop staring at me," Octavius suddenly said.
I jumped, immediately looking away.
Soon, the car pulled smoothly up to the Whitaker Mansion.
I kept my head down, quietly thanked him, and reached for the door handle.
Octavius beat me to it, pressing his hand over the handle.
I froze, turning to look at him in confusion.
Octavius's expression remained taut. He stayed silent for a full ten seconds before clearing his throat and saying in a low voice, "Last night was my first time having sex too."
My eyes went wide.
He paused, then continued stiffly, "Go home and think carefully about how you're going to take responsibility for me."
Octavius withdrew his hand.
The door popped open automatically.
I got out in a daze, completely stunned.
Octavius didn't give me time to process. He immediately instructed the driver up front, "Let's go."
The car disappeared around the corner.
I stood alone outside the gate in the night breeze, his words replaying on loop in my head.
"It was my first time."
"Think carefully about how you're going to take responsibility for me."
Did I hear that right?
Octavius had never been with a woman before that night?