Chapter 176
176:
A man with dyed yellow hair, probably in his mid-twenties, caught her attention. He was undeniably handsome, with a mischievous charm. However, that charm faded as she watched him casually sprinkle the white powder onto his cigar.
Brenna recognized him at once. He was Brandon Vargas, the son of Shirie’s deputy mayor.
He was seated at the heart of the group, clearly thriving on attention. His gaze roamed over Brenna with unmistakable intent. With a smirk, he whistled boldly and said without shame, “Nice figure. But I wonder if you’re as exciting in bed.”
The words were vile, but Brenna refused to give him the reaction he wanted. She merely cast him a brief, indifferent glance before looking away.
Sylvie and Vivian, however, noticed Brandon’s comment and exchanged knowing smiles. Sylvie seized the moment to introduce him to Brenna. “Brandon is the deputy mayor’s son. Even the Harper family’s business relies on his father in some ways. Miss Harper, you’d do well to show some respect to him. Wouldn’t want what you do to affect your family, now would you?”
Brenna turned to Sylvie with a look of pure disdain. “You seem quite familiar with him,” she said.
Sylvie instantly caught the insinuation and stiffened. “I am not exactly close to him,” she replied.
The next moment, she turned her attention to the untouched drink in Harlan’s hand. Seeing that Brenna had no interest in drinking, she took the glass herself and held it to Brenna with a sweet smile. “I told you, I invited you here tonight to—”
Brenna watched as the blue pill bubbled and dissolved. Back in Norview, substances like these were common in bars. They were loosely regulated and treated casually by the local youth. But Brenna knew better. These pills were highly addictive. Too much of them could push a person into a dangerous, manic state—or worse, leave them unconscious.
She met Harlan’s gaze resolutely and said, “I’m not drinking this.” A chill settled over the group as everyone’s faces turned cold.
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Sylvie immediately expressed her displeasure. “So you refuse to forgive us, Miss Harper? We invited you here in good faith, with witnesses, to offer a sincere apology. And yet, you won’t even show us the courtesy of a drink?”
“Do you think you’re above us? Do you look down on the Morrison family?” Vivian questioned.
“Yeah, what’s the deal, big shot? You think you’re better than me? If you’re too good for a drink, why even come here?” Harlan moved closer and attempted to force Brenna to drink it.
But before he could do that, Brenna lifted the glass and threw its contents straight into his face. “Is this how you apologize? By forcing drinks on me?” she said coldly.
Wine dripped down Harlan’s face, seeping into his floral shirt. He turned to the group on the sofa, and their barely concealed smirks and amused glances fueled his rage. No one had ever dared humiliate him like this.
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