Chapter 132
Chapter 132:
“Well, well, Dr. Prescott—didn’t anyone teach you it’s rude to crash someone else’s gathering p>
The second Leonino arrived, Dorian couldn’t resist teasing him sarcastically.
Completely unbothered, Leonino settled into a seat, letting out a soft laugh. “Mr. Morrison, don’t assume you’re important enough to keep me away. Alden invited me—your opinion wasn’t part of my decision p>
“Oh, really now p>
Dorian’s irritation spiked instantly.
Alden’s head pounded from all the arguing. He frowned and said, “Will you two stop acting like kids p>
Dorian grumbled under his breath, “Honestly, if it weren’t for Valeria, I wouldn’t waste my breath on this guy p>
He then shifted his attention aggressively toward Leonino. “Shouldn’t you be busy preparing for a wedding? Sure, you haven’t exactly settled on a bride yet, but it sounds important enough. How do you even find time to show your face at a bar p>
Even before Leonino had arrived, Alden’s and Dorian’s striking looks had drawn plenty of appreciative glances from around the bar.
Now that Leonino had joined their group, his composed charm attracted even more attention, prompting several women to approach boldly, drinks in hand.
Since Dorian had the most playful charm of the three, the women naturally approached him first, flashing flirtatious smiles.
Yet, before Dorian could even respond, Leonino coldly mocked, “Sadly, I haven’t found someone to marry yet—not everyone can be like you, always having admirers lining up. If you ever announced you were settling down, you’d have women fighting for the chance p>
“Damn you p>
Dorian’s face flushed red with anger.
Without warning, he got to his feet, brushed the women aside, and strode toward Leonino, grabbing him by the collar in a bold challenge. Not one to back down, Leonino slipped free with ease and, in a swift move, clamped his hand around Dorian’s throat.
The tension in the air hinted at an impending fight, and the nearby bartender shifted nervously, clearly on edge.
gⱯlnσν𝒆𝓁s․com delivers what you seek
Yet Alden, unmoved by their antics, leaned back and dryly said, “Fight all you want. Wear yourselves out. But keep this in mind—win or lose, it won’t matter to Valeria p>
“Alden p>
Both men immediately let go and turned their angry glares toward him in perfect sync.
The fight never happened, but even after they sat back down, the anger still simmered between them.
Dorian eventually broke the uneasy silence. “Here’s some free advice, Leonino. Don’t bother picking Valeria if all you want is a pretend girlfriend. She might come off as easygoing, but she won’t waste her time on nonsense. If you’re not serious, then back off p>
With a defiant lift of his eyebrow, Leonino shot back, “And who says I’m not serious about her? Valeria’s one of a kind, and I honestly want to get to know her p>
“And you think your interest alone automatically means she’ll fall for you? Your ego must weigh a ton,” Dorian scoffed.
Leonino casually swirled the drink in his glass, responding coolly, “And you think she’d prefer you instead? Don’t flatter yourself, Dorian p>
The hostility surged again between them.
Not bothering to chime in, Alden kept his lips pressed tight, showing no interest in their petty squabble.
Finally, Dorian suggested, “How about we both pretend to be drunk and have Valeria come pick us up? Then we’ll see if she chooses to take care of you or me p>
Returning home to discover Alden wasn’t there, Helena decided to ask Valeria to join her for dinner.
While they were eating at a restaurant, Valeria’s phone rang with a call from the bar. Apparently, two drunken men were insisting she come and pick them up.
Valeria impatiently asked the bartender who exactly these men were. Hearing the names Dorian and Leonino, she nearly hung up on the spot.
But Helena, hearing their names clearly, immediately wondered if Alden was also there.
Given their friendship, it seemed possible that Alden had joined them. Taking Valeria’s phone, Helena directly questioned the bartender, confirming that Alden was indeed there.
Concerned that Alden might also be drunk, Helena urged Valeria that they should check on the situation immediately.
Valeria quickly agreed, seeing this as a perfect opportunity for Helena and Alden to patch things up.
When they entered the bar, the bartender quickly directed them to the table where Alden and his troublesome friends were slumped over, clearly having drunk themselves unconscious.
Alden, in particular, seemed deeply and completely knocked out.