Chapter 290: Whatever You Say (Part 1)
“Ah…” Alison snapped her head up.
In that instant, a familiar figure flashed before her eyes.
Instinctively, she called out, “Jack!”
Without hesitation, she rushed forward.
“Jack…” She ran up behind the man.
His footsteps faltered slightly, but he soon resumed his stride.
She caught up with him in a few strides and reached out to grab his arm. “Jack, don’t ignore me.”
His arm trembled slightly. Suddenly, he jerked his arm free without even turning to look at her.
Coldly, he addressed the person beside him. “Pull her away. I don’t like being touched by crazy women.”
“Yes.” Someone stepped forward and seized Alison’s arms. “Ma’am, you’ve got the wrong guy. His name isn’t Jack. It’s Gabriel.”
“Let me go! Just let me see his face. Just one look. If it really isn’t him, I promise I won’t bother him anymore.” Alison pleaded, her voice cracking as reason returned through the haze.
“You’d better not look. If you develop feelings for Gabriel, you’ll only invite trouble later.”
“What? I just want to see his face. Is that trouble?”
“That’s right.”
“What kind of trouble?” Alison asked through clenched teeth.
“Ha! You’ll taste the agony of bone-deep longing.” The man laughed heartily his laugh echoing over the music.
Gabriel kept walking forward, ignoring the teasing entirely. His voice cut through the noise, flat and cold:
“Quiet down, everyone. It’s too noisy.”
At that command, Alison reluctantly lowered her arms.
She realized he wasn’t Jack — Jack’s voice was deep and magnetic, while this man’s was hoarse.
“Let me go,” she murmured. “There’s no need to see his face now.”
She chuckled to herself. Jack was gone.
“Get out of here. Don’t disturb Gabriel.”
Gabriel was truly peculiar, seemingly dismissive of all women.
Since he’d arrived, any woman who tried to approach him was blocked by his men.
He sat quietly on a small sofa, leaning back against the cushion.
His gaze was fixed on the stage.
The wine arrived.
She picked up the open bottle and slowly poured the wine into the clear, stemmed glass on the table.
She recalled that four years ago, Jack had personally fed her a sip of it.
Amidst the swirling crowd, Alison drank glass after glass.
When she glanced around, the familiar silhouette had already vanished.
The bottle was empty. Alison slammed it down on the table.
The sharp clink of glass against wood drew the waiter’s attention.
“Bring another bottle, quick,” she urged.
The waiter brought a new bottle of red wine.
Just as she lifted it to pour, a man’s hand pressed down on hers, covering her small hand.
“Hey, beautiful. Drinking alone? Can I join you?”
“Get lost.” She tried to push him off.
The bottle slipped from her grasp, and the loud crash drew stares from all around.
“What are you looking at? Turn around! No staring!” the man barked at the onlookers, sliding his other hand around Alison’s waist.
“Beauty, you’ve had too much. Let me take you somewhere to sober up.”
“Get away from me. I’m… I’m not drunk.” Her mind was in turmoil. All she wanted was more alcohol.
She pushed him away, hating being touched by a stranger.
Yet his hand remained firmly on her waist.
“Hey, sweetheart. If you’re here, you must be a regular. Why play innocent? I can pay you money.”
He pulled a wad of cash from his pocket and shoved it into the front of her blouse.
A wave of humiliation washed over Alison, igniting a fierce anger within her.
She yanked the money out and flung it into the air.
Without hesitation, she grabbed the empty liquor bottle and smashed it down hard on the man’s head.
“Thud…” Blood began to flow from his forehead, the viscous liquid sliding down his cheek.
He wiped it away, and when he saw the crimson smear across his palm, fury snapped inside him.
“Bitch! You’re asking for it!” The man yanked her long hair with one hand while driving his other fist hard into her chest.
The punch landed hard; pain shot through her ribs.
Yet his second blow followed instantly.
Her body swayed, eyes fixed on the swinging arm.
Without hesitation, she ducked her head and sank her teeth into the man’s arm.
The man screamed and frantically jerked his arm to break free.
Alison refused to let go, biting down with all her strength.
“Someone help! Pull this madwoman off me!” the man bellowed.