Chapter 596

Half an hour later, Jonathan arrived at the clubhouse in pajamas under a long trench coat. His regular status spared him the likely refusal of entry in such attire.

Finding Lucian already seated in the private room, Jonathan noted a few appetizer plates and numerous liquor bottles, one nearly empty. He sat down beside Lucian, his heart sinking.

Lucian, his eyes dark, finally acknowledged him. "I did as you told me to."

Jonathan frowned, uncertain of the meaning. Did as I told him to? What did I tell him? What disaster? He poured himself a drink, joining Lucian. A speculation formed.

"It's Dr. Jarvis, isn't it?" he asked hesitantly, still holding his glass. Besides Roxanne, no one else could explain Lucian's late-night drinking.

The room seemed to grow colder. Jonathan pulled his coat tighter, sensing the answer, yet waiting for Lucian to speak.

Finally, Lucian said, "What have I done wrong? I made a mistake six years ago, but after she returned, I haven't done anything wrong. Why is she distancing herself now?"

Jonathan was disturbed. "Are you and Dr. Jarvis having problems again? Didn't you both just go on vacation?"

Lucian set down his glass with a clink, Jonathan's heart leaping. How had Lucian become so broken?

Lucian's voice was icy. "It would have been better if there was no vacation!" He'd planned it, even manipulating the first prize winner. In retrospect, it was a wasted effort.

If their relationship had remained as it was after the play, perhaps Roxanne wouldn't be rejecting him. He still couldn't understand what went wrong on vacation.

Jonathan listened, bewildered. "What do you mean? Weren't you happy? Didn't you follow my advice to let her have her way?" The vacation should have been a chance to repair things.

Lucian frowned, recalling the trip, his frustration growing. He'd done more than let her have her way; he'd done everything she wished. Even Archie and Benny's attitudes had improved. He'd sensed things improving, but then came a sudden shift before the vacation ended. Lucian's expression turned frigid.

Jonathan, seeing Lucian's face, grew more bewildered. "How could that be? If you'd done as I said, Dr. Jarvis's attitude should have improved!"

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