Chapter 246
"He downed one drink after another, and Noah Collins couldn't stop him.
Joseph could usually handle his liquor well, but tonight he seemed to lose count and was visibly buzzed.
""Man, I suddenly miss Megan Ray.""
Staring out the window, he murmured, ""Of all the women around me, she was the only one who was real—no deceit, no betrayal. Why did she have to die?""
Noah held his glass, a surge of discomfort rising within him.
Others saw the dignified and enigmatic Mr. Hernandez, but only Noah knew the truth. Joseph grew up without the love of his parents. He was deeply insecure and always surrounded by people with ulterior motives from as early as kindergarten, which made him exceptionally suspicious.
This time, Joseph had truly fallen in love.
Noah regretted inviting him to Madison; who could have expected Joseph to let someone in? His heart had always been encased in ice.
Noah kept him company, drowning their sorrows in alcohol until Joseph was thoroughly drunk.
This was the second time Noah had seen him genuinely wasted.
Cassie's repeated calls made the new cell phone on the coffee table vibrate incessantly.
Noah picked up the phone and answered. Cassie's hoarse voice came through the speaker. ""Where are you? It's late. Please come back.""
""Joseph's drunk,"" Noah sighed.
""I'm coming to pick him up,"" said Cassie hurriedly.
""No need, I can manage. You'd have a hard time carrying him,"" Noah said firmly. He ended the call and prepared to head out.
The snow had coated everything in a pristine layer that evening. Cassie carefully stepped outside the house. After half an hour, Noah Collins pulled up in his car and exhaled deeply at the sight of her slender figure in the biting wind.
Once Noah stopped the car, Cassie opened the back door and saw Joseph, who was drunk beyond recognition, his usually handsome features slack with inebriation. Practically unconscious, he lay sprawled across the back seat.
Together with Noah, Cassie managed to get Joseph into his bedroom and onto his bed. Facing Noah, Cassie was at a loss for words. ""Mr. Collins, thank you, I—""
He cut her off, rubbing his temple. ""Listen, I did look into what Joseph asked me. I know you didn't mean any harm,"" Noah muttered, looking for the right words. ""I should get going now.""
She could sense a change in Noah's demeanor toward her; it was not as light-hearted as before. It made her sad, and despite knowing he didn't want to linger, she couldn't help herself. ""Mr. Collins, do you know what he thinks about all this?""
""Cassie,"" Noah sighed, ""any guy would have a problem with what happened. You should've told Joseph sooner. It's common knowledge now, and to be honest, it's pretty embarrassing.""
Her complexion turned paler. ""David and I didn't do anything.""
""That's something you'll have to convince Joseph of, not me.""
Noah left shaking his head, and Cassie stood there in silence, getting the message loud and clear—Joseph didn't believe her.
What was she supposed to do? She had genuinely fallen for him, and she didn't want to lose him.
Looking at the man on the bed, she could tell he had drunk too much. He was feeling uncomfortable, likely with an upset stomach, clutching at his chest. Also, despite the warmth of the indoor heating, he was still in his overcoat, and soon, beads of sweat formed on his brow."
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