Chapter 112

"Isn't this just fruit wine?" Alice scoffed. "It's just like water, no way will it get me drunk. Don't underestimate me."

"Alright," David said, not wanting to argue. He handed her the fruit wine he'd already tasted. He was still worried she might get a headache from drinking too much.

"Just try it. If you want other flavors, order them yourself. I'm gonna go play some pool." David took off his jacket and draped it over Alice, then glanced at Dylan and Wesley. They got the hint, put down what they were holding, and headed to the pool table.

Dylan, looking for some fun, smirked at David and Wesley. "Just playing isn't enough. How about we make a little bet?"

David rolled up his sleeves, acting casual. "Money?"

Dylan's eyes widened. "Come on, that's boring! We all have money, but Wesley's just a psychologist. If he loses too much, he has to streak home tonight."

Wesley ignored Dylan's taunt, focusing on polishing his cue stick.

Dylan toned down his expression, sidling up to David and whispering, "Looks like Wesley's serious."

David gave Dylan a sidelong glance and smirked. "Then you better take it seriously, or you'll be the one streaking."

Before the break, Wesley looked at David and Dylan. "So, what's the bet?"

Dylan scratched his chin, thinking. "Let's bet on conditions. The winner gets to make two reasonable demands, and the loser has to fulfill them. Deal?"

Wesley nodded. "Sounds good."

David agreed. "I'm in."

Meanwhile, three people were chilling—two on the carpet and one lying on the sofa, covered with David's jacket.

Alice gently poked Esme's shoulder. When Esme turned, Alice shoved her phone in her face, looking stressed. "I freak out every time I see an exam."

Esme was also panicking inside but tried to comfort Alice. "Just don't get Declan mad like last time, even though he was a bit much."

"I know." The pressure of finals was intense. She often skipped classes and might have to retake or make up exams, but she was used to it.

"Once the exams are over, you'll be free." Esme counted on her fingers and suddenly exclaimed, "The exams end right before your birthday!"

Alice suddenly realized her birthday was right after finals.

Esme asked, "You would visit Mr. Bailey on your birthday?"

"Changed my mind," Alice replied. "David's parents are throwing a birthday party at home, and Grandpa Lucas will be there too. I feel bad for him traveling so far, especially since he's not in good health."

"Mr. Bailey loves you the most. If I were him, I'd go too," Esme sighed. Lucas's affection for Alice was no secret.

At first, people were puzzled why an illegitimate child got such special treatment, even more than a legitimate granddaughter. Many speculated privately that Lucas was senile and couldn't tell the difference. However, soon no one dared to say that because Gavin also started doting on Alice. They didn't dare question the elders' choices but still looked down on Alice, the illegitimate child, in their hearts.

"Don't worry about it. Mr. Bailey knows what he's doing," Esme tried to comfort her, but Alice just glanced at her and said flatly, "Actually, he doesn't."

Lucas had always been a bit of a dictator. As he got older, he sometimes listened to others, but mostly he stuck to his own views.

For example, he decided David was the right guy for the engagement, no one else. Doctors told him to stay calm, but he often argued with Gavin and even scolded Alice for skipping classes and getting into fights.

"Who doesn't know what he's doing?" David walked over, cutting into their conversation.

Alice looked up at David, then glanced over to see Dylan and Wesley arguing heatedly by the pool table.

David sat next to Alice, downing the rest of the fruit wine in one gulp.

"What are they arguing about?" Alice asked.

David laughed. "Dylan and I lost, and Wesley's making us each fulfill a condition. Dylan can't handle the one Wesley gave him."

"What condition?" Alice and the others were curious, even Simon leaned in.

David chuckled. "Wesley wants Dylan to streak home, to experience what it's like to lose everything, even his pants."

Alice and the others thought, 'Wesley seemed so mature and steady, but he could be so ruthless.'

David checked the time, feeling it was about right. He put on his jacket, pulled Alice up, and said to Dylan, "I'm taking Alice home."

Dylan shouted, "Wesley, don't be so arrogant! We both lost to you. Why only make such a demand of me? Do you dare make the same demand of David?"

Wesley replied, "A bet's a bet. Are you going to back out?"

Dylan retorted, "You're holding a grudge because I said you were not as rich as us!"

David turned back to Simon. "Tell your brother we're leaving. Be careful on your way back."

Simon nodded, watching them leave. Once they were gone, he breathed a sigh of relief, finally able to relax.

Esme silently finished her snack, thinking that everyone there except her was an idiot.

Alice had a bit of fruit wine. Though she wasn't drunk, she dozed off against the seat on the way back. The streetlights flashed past the car window. David parked the car, unbuckled his seatbelt, and was about to wake her when he turned and saw Alice already asleep, her chin resting on her shoulder.

David shook his head with a smile, closed the car door, and walked around to the other side, gently lifting Alice out of the car. As the cool breeze blew, she couldn't help but snuggle into David's arms.

David felt a bit helpless. He had hoped something romantic might happen after a bit of drinking tonight, but Alice had fallen asleep. His plan failed.

Back in the room, moonlight streamed through the curtain gaps. David gently laid Alice on the bed, covering her with a blanket. He leaned down to kiss her forehead, then her nose, and finally brushed her slightly pursed lips, whispering, "Goodnight."

The next morning, the alarm clock rang on time. Alice squinted at the time, dragging her tired body to the bathroom to brush her teeth, wash her face, and change clothes. When she came out, she saw a note on the table.

"Hangover Soup. — David"

Alice drank the hangover soup in one go, then sat down to have breakfast. She wasn't really drunk, but David worried she'd have a headache when she woke up, so he had someone make the hangover soup. But where had he gone?