Chapter 186: Chapter 186 Show off your love
Meanwhile, Stephan arrived at the Spring Banquet and walked into the private room arranged by his brothers.
Gary and the others were all there.
Seeing that he had come alone, the group of friends couldn’t help but tease him to his face.
“Why’d you come alone? Why didn’t you bring your girlfriend along to show off your love?”
“Exactly! You’re always bragging in the group chat, about how your girlfriend looks like a celestial beauty, how she cooks romantic dinners for you, and all the gifts she gives you. Why not just bring her here and make us all jealous to death?”
“Tell me about it! I was all set to be sick of all the lovey-dovey stuff. Where’s your girlfriend who’s as beautiful as a celestial maiden?!”
“Hahaha, don’t tell me she’s too ashamed to show her face?!”
“It’s possible. After all, what does Stephan know about women?!” Facing the teasing from this group of playboys, Stephsn remained completely unfazed.
He walked over to an empty seat, leaned back against the chair, and leisurely crossed his legs.
He curled his lips in a casual smile. “I wanted to bring my girlfriend over to show her off, but unfortunately, she has a business dinner tonight and is busy.
Otherwise, I would’ve made sure you all got to meet her.”
One of the young playboys teased, “Oh? What’s that supposed to mean? Does your girlfriend actually have to work?”
“She’s your girlfriend, how can you possibly let her go out and work?”
Stephan retorted coolly, “What’s wrong with her working if she wants to? She has freedom to do whatever she wants, all I need to do is support her. Since she wants to work and shine in her field, I need to be her number one fan. As long as she’s happy, that’s all that matters.” As he spoke, a faint smile played at the corners of his mouth, as if he thought his idea was quite brilliant.
Gary’s eyes widened. “Stephan , I never would have guessed you had this kind of insight!”
Was this really the Stephan he knew, the aloof, cold-hearted, and unromantic man?
Stephan grinned. “My awareness has always been quite high.”
Gary scoffed, fighting the urge to roll his eyes, he handed Stephan a glass of wine.
“Never mind, let’s drink!”
Stephan politely declined, “I’m not drinking. I’m on a temporary break from alcohol. My girlfriend’s business dinner will be over soon, and I still have to drive to pick her up.”
Gary blinked.
What?!
He was showing off again.
Someone couldn’t help but ask, “Stephan, where is Mrs. Hudson business dinner at?”
Upon hearing the term “Mrs. Hudson” Stephan shot the guy a look of approval and replied cheerfully, “She’s at the Spring Banquet too. Once she’s done over there, I’ll be heading out.”
Everyone was surprised.
“Who knew Stephan’s girlfriend was at the Spring Banquet too? Why not call her over and let her make an appearance for us?!”
“Yeah, yeah, it’s just a matter of asking her to come over!”
“Oh my, I can’t wait! Just what kind of stunning beauty could possibly have won over our aloof Stephan Hudson.”
Stephan maintained his dignified, aloof expression as his long, slender fingers ran along the armrest of his chair. In a calm, measured tone, he said, “She’s working. It wouldn’t be appropriate to call her over.”
The young playboy teased with a smile, “Oh my, is work more important than you? Surely your girlfriend can tell the difference, right?”
“Exactly. Between work and you, she’s gotta pick one, right?”
“Stephan, you can’t let work outshine you!”
Stephan snorted with a laugh, his narrow, dark eyes slowly glancing sideways at the young playboy. “Comparing me to my girlfriend’s work? I think you guys are asking for a beating! I’ll always be more important to her!”
“Calm down, we just want to meet Mrs. Hudson. We’re dying to know the woman who has you hook, line and sinker! Right, guys?”
“Yeah, yeah!”
“It doesn’t matter if you want to see her or not. I only do things that are convenient for her. If she wants to meet you guys soon, she will. But right now, she’s at work. And don’t you dare say her work is more important. There’s just time for everything. And I won’t do anything to put her in a difficult position.”
“Most importantly, my girlfriend is a bit shy. Whether she comes to see you or not depends on her. If we just call her over out of the blue like this, she probably won’t be able to handle it. And you guys can be quite too much...too noisy and annoying.”
The man gasped in shock.
“Did we just get insulted?”
Listening to Stephan’s deadpan explanation, Gary couldn’t help but laugh.
“Wait a minute, Stephan. You have to get your girlfriend’s approval for everything? It sounds to me like you’re turning into a henpecked husband.”
Stephan frowned, shot Gary a glance, and replied with a strong undertone of displeasure, “What do you mean, henpecked’? Choose your words more carefully. This isn’t being under her thumb, it’s respect!”
Gary silently rolled his eyes. “Fine, fine, respect. I can see it, you really respect your girlfriend!”
He couldn’t help but roll his eyes inwardly.
‘Fine, go ahead and play it tough! Call it respect if you want, but isn’t that just being henpecked. It all amounts to the same thing, I have no idea what this friend of mine is trying to pull!’ Gary thought.
************
The social gathering lasted nearly three hours from start to finish.
Throughout the event, Alana didn’t touch a drop of alcohol, but Cole drank quite a bit.
Once the gathering wrapped up and the executives left, all looking rather tipsy, Alana sent a message to Stephan.
[I’m done here.]
Then she sent him her exact location.
After a moment’s hesitation, she added,
[If it’s not convenient for you to come, don’t
worry about it. I’ll just take a taxi home.]
After all, he had his own things to attend to, and she couldn’t keep bothering him.
But if he didn’t come, would she take a taxi back to her own place, or to his?
It was a bit of a headache, especially since she’d been staying at his place for the past few days.
At first, she’d decided to date without living together, so that no one would have too much influence on her life, but gradually, things had started to veer off the path she’d envisioned.
She was powerless against his forceful intrusion. So much so that she was growing increasingly accustomed to being with him. Not only was she getting used to it, she was actually starting to love it.
In the end, would she become more and more accustomed to him, more and more dependent on him?
Alana sighed softly. Never mind, she thought. She wouldn’t dwell on it; she’d just take things one step at a time.
Meanwhile, Stephan, who had received Alana’s message, let the corners of his mouth turn up slightly.
He stood up decisively, smoothed out the wrinkles in his clothes, and said casually, “Sorry, my girlfriend’s business dinner is over. I’m going to go get her.”
Someone teased, “So soon? It’s still early. Once you get your girlfriend, why not bring her over for us to meet?”
“That’s right! We’re all looking forward to seeing her tonight!”
Stephan curved his lips. “We’ll see. If she doesn’t mind, I certainly won’t either.”
Gary eyed him: “Alright, alright, we’ll be waiting for your good news!”
“Remember, if I bring her over, you’ll all have to call her ‘sister-in-law.’”
Everyone burst into laugh.
Man, he was really down bad.
Stephan paid no mind to their reactions. After making his point clear, he turned and
walked away decisively.
He couldn’t keep Little White Rabbit waiting too long. No sooner had Alana sent the message than Cole, emboldened by the alcohol, leaned softly against her.
The alcohol amplified his inner longing for her. Her delicate softness and sweet scent captivated him.
Plus, right now, there were only the two of them in the private room...
“Lana, I’ve been drinking, so I can’t drive. Could you take me home later?”
Alana was taken by surprise and couldn’t help but push the man leaning against her
away.
The strong smell of alcohol on him made her uncomfortable.
But Cole moved again and leaned against her, seemingly quite drunk. Since she’d come with him, and she was his assistant, she couldn’t just leave him to
fend for himself.
“Don’t you have a driver?”
Cole sensed the girl’s resistance, and a hint of disappointment flashed in his
eyes.
He sighed softly. “My driver had to go home early.”
Alana suggested, “Then I’ll call you a designated driver.”
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