Private Marriage, Secret Love-Chapter 12: There’s Something in the Drink
Raina Reddington felt like her jaw was about to be crushed. Ethan Lancaster shoved her away, his chest heaving with such rage that he couldn’t get a single word out.
’So ungrateful!’
Raina Reddington had well and truly infuriated him.
For several days, Ethan Lancaster ignored her. Then, for the next two, he didn’t even bother coming home at night.
After work, Raina Reddington changed her clothes, ready to head home, when her office door was suddenly thrown open. "Raina, come sing with us."
"I’ll pass. You guys go ahead."
"Did you forget it’s Yvonne’s birthday? We made plans last week."
Raina Reddington slapped her forehead. Thankfully, she had already prepared a birthday gift and left it in her office drawer.
Mercy Seas was Stoneworth’s most prestigious private hospital. If it weren’t for her outstanding professional achievements, Raina Reddington would never have gotten in, no matter how many strings Ronan Reddington pulled.
A few close colleagues carpooled to the party. Yvonne Fuller came from a well-off family, so naturally, she had picked a first-class venue.
When they arrived, Raina Reddington instinctively looked up and realized they were at Aristor Hall.
"Yvonne, you’re really splurging tonight!" a colleague teased.
"Oh, it’s a special occasion! Just make sure you all have a great time."
A colleague linked arms with Raina Reddington, leading her inside. While they were looking for their private room, a figure hurrying past bumped her on the shoulder.
"Sorry about that."
Raina Reddington rubbed her shoulder and said it was nothing, as Yvonne Fuller pushed open the door to their room and waved them inside.
The top floor of Aristor Hall was reserved for VIP clients, and the primary south-facing suite was under a long-term booking by Ethan Lancaster. At the moment, it was filled with men and women, creating a loud and boisterous scene.
Ethan Lancaster pulled out his phone for a look. ’This wife of his was really something else. He hadn’t been home for several nights because of a project, yet she hadn’t even called once.’
"Fourth Master." A man came in and sat right beside him. "I just ran into your wife."
"Where?"
"Just downstairs."
Ethan Lancaster’s brows knitted together. "Who was she with?"
"A few people, men and women. You want to go say hello?"
Ethan Lancaster sneered. "Like I’ve got nothing better to do."
’Men and women... So she came here with other men. Does she have any idea what kind of place Aristor Hall is? How many people actually walk out of here unscathed?’
’Getting drugged and forced into things is common here. And Raina Reddington isn’t like him—battle-hardened and invincible.’
The people around him were getting wild. All the glasses on the coffee table were filled, and some had started a drinking contest.
Once people drank too much, all sorts of trashy games began.
Ethan Lancaster leaned back against the sofa and closed his eyes to rest, but an inexplicable anger surged within him. ’When they were alone, Raina Reddington was wary of him as if he were a thief. What right did she have to come and go from Aristor Hall with other men?’
He felt his breathing grow tight. Ethan Lancaster sat up and saw that the glass he had just emptied was full again. He reached for it and downed the finger of liquor in one gulp.
Cameron Fairchild, sitting beside him, let out a sharp hiss and stared at him with a bizarre expression.
Ethan Lancaster put the glass down, irritated. "What are you looking at?"
Everyone went silent. A few people exchanged glances. Cameron Fairchild laughed dryly. "It’s nothing, nothing. I’ll find someone for you to... blow off some steam with."
"What’s that supposed to mean?" Ethan Lancaster shot him a sideways glance.
Cameron Fairchild leaned in close to Ethan Lancaster. "Why’d you just drink someone else’s booze? There was something in it."
The color drained from Ethan Lancaster’s face. "What was in it?"
"Holy crap, are you still playing the innocent with me? No matter. I’ll go find you a gorgeous, captivating..."
Ethan Lancaster stood up to leave, but his legs felt weak. It was as if someone had tossed a pebble into his body, sending ripples spreading through him, layer by layer. He raised a hand to his forehead; his breath was growing hotter.
Seeing his grave expression, Cameron Fairchild cleared his throat. "That drink really wasn’t meant for you. And the stuff in that particular glass is the strongest, most potent kind we have. None of us have even tried it... You... you okay?"
’Okay my ass!’
Ethan Lancaster squeezed his eyes shut. "Quick, take me home."
"There’s no time. And going to the hospital won’t help."
"Cameron Fairchild, what kind of depraved crap are you messing with all day!" Though Ethan Lancaster’s tone was harsh, the words came out weak and breathy.
"I’ll go find someone for you."
Ethan Lancaster could already feel the drug’s violent effects. He grabbed Cameron Fairchild’s arm. "Get everyone out of here."
Cameron Fairchild gave him an odd look. "Fourth Master, you’re going to take care of this yourself?"
"Get out!" The word burned in his throat, making his entire body feel like it was on fire.
"Oh, right! Isn’t your wife right here in Aristor Hall? Just call her over. She wouldn’t dare refuse..." Cameron Fairchild was still scheming beside him. Right now, Ethan Lancaster wanted nothing more than to slap him dead.
Raina Reddington’s phone, which she had silenced and put in her bag, was now in her hand. She glanced at the screen and saw three missed calls from Ethan Lancaster.
She had no intention of responding, but then his call came through again.
Raina Reddington got up, stepped outside the room, and pulled the door partially shut before answering. "Hello?"
"Where are you?" Ethan Lancaster asked, though he already knew the answer.
"At home." She, too, was a bald-faced liar.
Ethan Lancaster snorted. "Someone saw you at Aristor Hall. I’m in the Cloud Suite on the top floor. Get over here now."
"What for?"
Ethan Lancaster yanked at his tie. Still feeling hot, he undid two more buttons on his shirt. "I drank too much."
"Isn’t your driver with you?"
’This woman’s composure was infuriating.’
"No!" Ethan Lancaster was panting slightly. "Hurry up, or I’m coming to find you!"
The line went dead. Raina Reddington really didn’t want him to come to her. She was still hiding her marriage from her colleagues at the hospital. Her plan was simple enough: if he was really drunk, she would just call a car to take him home.
Clutching her phone, Raina Reddington went up to the top floor. The door to the Cloud Suite was shut tight. She knocked twice.
"Come in."
Raina Reddington pushed the door open and stepped inside. Ethan Lancaster pointed a finger vaguely in her direction. "Close the door."
She closed the door and took two steps forward, feeling that something was wrong with him. Ethan Lancaster was leaning against the back of the sofa, his upper body swaying as if he couldn’t sit still, one long arm straining to prop him up.
Ethan Lancaster beckoned to her, his voice a low, breathy rasp. "Come here."
"How much have you had to drink?" Raina Reddington walked toward him. The man watched her legs as she approached, step by step. His throat bobbed, and his temples pulsed. Raina’s eyes fell on the messy coffee table, where several glasses were overturned and liquor was spilled all over.
Ethan Lancaster propped his handsome face on one hand, his eyelids half-closed as he pointed to the liquor on the table. "Have a drink."
"I’m not drinking." Raina Reddington shook her head.
His mouth was dry. He simply picked up a glass and offered it to her. "I told you to drink."
Raina Reddington pushed his arm away. "Who would dare drink something like this? What if there’s something in it? Only a fool would drink that."
Ethan Lancaster’s hand tightened around the glass. Looking at him, Raina Reddington figured he must be really drunk. "Come on, I’ll take you home."
She was standing very close to him. Ethan Lancaster completely lost control. He tossed the glass back on the table, and his arm shot out, wrapping tightly around Raina Reddington’s waist.
