Chapter 26: Grant Holloway Pushed Open the Door to Find Connor Hayes Alone

Grant Holloway pushed open the door to find Connor Hayes alone in the private room.

"Rare guest." Connor arched an eyebrow. "Thought you were busy with your girlfriend?"

"Took her back to the dorm." Grant sat casually, his gaze sweeping the empty couch.

Connor swirled his red wine. "Burgundy. Care for a taste?"

He poured a glass and handed it over.

Grant took a sip. "Decent."

"Where's Clara Whitmore?" The question sounded casual.

Connor smirked knowingly. "Came specifically for her?"

"Passing by." Grant's expression remained cool. "Just asking."

"Ran into her in the hallway earlier. Had a couple drinks and left." Connor shrugged. "Probably couldn't stand the atmosphere."

The faintest hint of a smile touched Grant's lips.

He set down his glass and stood. "Meeting tomorrow. I'm leaving. Tonight's on me."

Connor watched him go with complicated eyes.

"Sorry about this," he murmured to himself.

* * *

In another booth, Sloane Bennett lay unconscious from intoxication.

Clara called a designated driver to take her best friend home first, then hailed a cab for herself.

A sudden downpour made the driver refuse to enter the narrow alley.

She stood at the alley's entrance, raindrops dampening her hair.

"Clara."

That familiar voice made her turn.

Elias Mercer approached with an umbrella, his casual attire making him look years younger.

"Planning to get soaked?" He frowned.

She nodded.

"Take it." He thrust the umbrella into her hands.

"What about you?"

"I'll borrow one across the street."

She watched Elias enter the notoriously difficult Sichuan restaurant opposite and emerge moments later with another umbrella.

"Fixed their wiring once," he explained briefly.

Through the curtain of rain, they walked single file.

The aged streetlamp cast dimmer light in the storm.

Thunder rumbled, making Clara instinctively quicken her pace.

She noticed Elias maintained perfect distance—

Close enough to ease her nerves, yet not so near as to discomfort her.

"Keeping up?" He suddenly turned back.

"Yeah." Her reply was soft.

By the time they reached her place, her pant cuffs were soaked through.

After a hot shower, Clara sat staring at her medicine bowl.

Her mind replayed the image of that figure who'd sheltered her from the storm.