Chapter 166: The Unspoken Game
Summer’s fingers tightened around her wineglass at the announcement, and her eyelashes fluttered slightly. James immediately stopped teasing the two women and rushed forward to greet them.
The GloryPath Construction project, a luxury resort development in Havenbrook, required massive funding and several investors. The Graham Group was the largest shareholder. Fraser settled on the sofa with effortless grace, one leg crossed over the other. His dark gaze swept over Summer with deliberate indifference. Merry blinked at the newcomer. Was this not the man who had waited for Summer that day? Who had thrown away those beautiful lavender flowers? I’d even rescued them and displayed the bouquet in her design studio.
Judging by the crowd’s reaction, this man had the highest status here. Did this mean they were saved? Hope flickered in Merry’s chest as she looked at Summer. “Summer…” But Summer stood motionless, her expression unreadable. Why are they acting like strangers? Now of all times! At least get them out of this drinking mess first!
Fraser pulled out a cigarette. Someone immediately stepped forward to light it. The ember glowed crimson between his slender fingers as he took a slow drag. “What’s going on here?” His voice was languid. A guest chuckled. “These ladies are begging Mr. James for a business opportunity by voluntarily drinking!” James puffed up with pride at having Fraser’s attention. “You’re in luck! Drink this, and I’ll let your company skip the preliminaries and go straight to the finals, all in front of Havenbrook’s most respected bossman!”
All eyes turned to Summer and Merry. Merry panicked inside. I wish I could hold my liquor, but one sip will knock me out! She blinked frantically at Fraser, then at Summer, but both ignored her as if she were having a seizure. Summer pressed her lips together. I hadn’t intended to drink at all. Now I was cornered like a duck on a spit. Her eyes flickered to Fraser. He lounged like royalty, radiating icy detachment, as if the man who’d tangled my limbs and reduced me to trembling pleas last night had never existed.
The room held its collective breath. How dare this nobody bargain with Bossman? Fraser’s lips curled. “And why should I?” Wait, that’s not the script! Merry’s hope was shattered. James, fearing Fraser’s irritation, snapped. “Enough stalling! Don’t make offers you can’t keep. I’m already being generous!” Summer’s cheeks flushed, less from the pressure than from Fraser’s condescending look. She refused to let him see her weakness. Bending down, she grabbed a bottle of whiskey and raised it to her lips. The crowd whistled.
Then, “You called me here to watch a woman drink?” Fraser’s bored voice cut through the din. “How boring.” The energy of the party plummeted like a crashed stock market. Someone hastily suggested, “L…let’s play a game instead!” Merry exhaled. Is this intentional leniency? James scowled at her. “Fine. If you can’t drink, entertain Mr. Graham. Impress him and I’ll approve your entry.” Merry practically dragged Summer onto a sofa in relief.
A willowy woman in a high-slit aqua qipao sauntered over to Fraser’s seat. “Mr. Graham,” she purred like melted honey, her blood-red nails uncorking an expensive bottle of imported wine. “Let me pour for you.” The amber liquid swirled in crystal as she offered the glass, but Fraser didn’t even look at it.