Chapter_52
Chapter 52
“The alcohol is the only reason she hasn’t caused a scene at your place. I don’t know when Emma took up lessons in the art of self-defense, but man, she can throw a punch,” Ethan said with a chuckle.
“Yeah, she can fight. Thank you for settling her down,” Abel replied, his tone sincere as he glanced at Emmeline.
Ethan gave a nod. “You’re Emma’s tenant. The fallout from this could complicate things even more.”
“I’ll take her back,” Abel remarked, offering a hand to help Emmeline up.
Emmeline opened her eyes groggily, her vision blurred. She was greeted by a handsome face right in front of her. Assuming she was still dreaming, Emmeline reached out and pinched his cheek, a teasing smile curving her lips. “Abel, you have the gall to visit me in my sleep.”
Ethan, standing nearby, quickly brushed her hand off while keeping a stern expression. “Of course, why wouldn’t I? Since you’re still in dreamland, just spill whatever you want to say.”
“You’re a two-timing super sleazeball!” Emmeline slurred, her words sharper than she probably intended.
Abel furrowed his brow, clearly taken aback. Well, that wasn’t exactly flattering.
Ethan quickly jumped in to explain, “Mr. Abel, Emma is drunk. It’s the booze talking.”
“I don’t blame her. It makes sense why she’d think so,” Abel replied, helping Emmeline get to her feet as he supported her.
“What happened between you two? Emma seemed upset,” Ethan inquired, his curiosity piqued.
Upset? Abel couldn’t help but feel a slight surge of satisfaction. Did Emmeline feel something for him? Was she upset because of him?
It pleased him more than he cared to admit.
“We’ll talk about it later. The priority now is to get Emma home,” Abel said, keeping his focus on helping her walk.
“Thank you, Mr. Abel,” Ethan said with a smile. He had no qualms about Abel. After all, he was the heir to Ryker Group, and if he took a liking to Emma… well, that would be for the best, wouldn’t it?
As Abel helped Emmeline toward the door, her legs gave out beneath her. In the split second before she hit the ground, Abel bent down swiftly and scooped her up into his arms.
Ethan opened the door, just as Luca was about to rush in. Seeing Abel carrying Emmeline, Luca hesitated for a moment before speaking. “I’ll take the car around. Be careful, Mr. Abel.”
“Thanks, Luca,” Abel nodded, carrying Emmeline toward the elevator.
Luca hurried to move the car closer to the building entrance. By the time Abel emerged from the building with Emmeline in his arms, Luca had parked the car by the entrance.
Abel carefully bent low to place Emmeline in the backseat, then slid into the seat beside her.
Ethan waved from the entrance as the car began to pull away. “I’m leaving Emma in your hands, Mr. Abel.”
Abel gave a short wave in return but didn’t speak. After the window rolled up, Luca drove them out of the neighborhood.
Standing there, Ethan watched as the convoy of security vehicles rolled out. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. It was a good thing Emmeline was too drunk to put up a fight, otherwise, those bodyguards would probably tear his house down.
In the backseat, Emmeline let out a soft groan, clutching her stomach. “I feel awful… Oh, I feel sick.”
Abel furrowed his brow, pulling her into his arms as she squirmed uncomfortably. “You asked for it, all that drinking.”
Emmeline weakly waved her arms in the air. “But I need to teach Abel a lesson! He confessed his feelings to me, but why did he go and impregnate Alana? Tell me, doesn’t that make him a two-timer? Doesn’t he deserve a beating?”
“Yes. Yes, he does,” Abel said, his lips curving into a warm smile. Despite her drunken ramblings, something about her anger was… endearing.
“Let me go! I want to hit him!” Emmeline demanded.
“Are you planning to hit him like this?” Abel asked, suddenly leaning forward and pressing his lips to hers in a soft kiss.
Emmeline recoiled, her stomach churning at the contact. “I want to throw up!”
With that, an alcohol-scented burp filled the car, and Abel’s face twisted in distaste. He quickly pulled away, a look of discomfort crossing his face.
“Luca, stop the car!” he ordered.
Luca, who had been watching the road ahead, glanced up at the rearview mirror and immediately complied. He pulled over to the side of the road.
As soon as the car came to a halt, Emmeline scrambled to open the door. She leaned out and began retching, gagging as her stomach emptied.
Abel’s face softened as he watched her. Once she finished vomiting, her body collapsed against the side of the car, her limp form a stark contrast to her usual fiery self.
He grabbed a tissue from the glove compartment and gently wiped her face, his actions tender despite the situation. Then, without hesitation, he lifted her back into the car.
Emmeline squinted up at him, her vision blurry as she tried to make sense of the situation. “Abel? Why are you here? Am I dreaming?” she asked weakly, still unsure if the scene in front of her was real or a product of her intoxicated mind.
