Chapter 5

As Hansen leaned in again, Nancy grew even more anxious and was just about to push him away. Suddenly, his phone started buzzing.

Nancy jumped back like someone drowning who had just found a lifeline. She quickly put some distance between them and blurted out, "Your phone's ringing! Take the call!"

Hansen's eyes darkened when he saw her reaction. The desire in his eyes quickly faded. However, a strange wave of frustration washed over him.

His expression darkened as he answered the phone. "Spill it!"

There was a brief pause before the person on the other end chuckled. "Damn, Hansen, what's with the attitude? Got into a fight with Nancy? Come on, bring her out! We're all waiting for you at the usual spot!"

That was Nigel Zoeller's voice.

Nancy knew Nigel was Hansen's childhood sidekick, and she quietly pressed her lips together. A subtle wave of relief washed over her.

"I'm not going," Hansen said flatly, glancing at Nancy on purpose. "I pissed Nance off. She's not coming out with me, and if she's not going, then neither am I."

Nigel immediately caught on. He knew Hansen was saying that just for Nancy to hear. He raised his voice dramatically and said, "Nancy, come on! We haven't had drinks with Hansen in forever! Just come out and hang with us!"

Someone beside Nigel chimed in, "It's literally just a couple of drinks. It won't mess up your baby-making plans!"

"Yeah, Nancy, it's just us—no strangers. And Gavin's back in town, too! He and Hansen haven't seen each other in forever."

As the others chimed in, Hansen turned and looked straight at Nancy. "Nance..."

He sounded pitiful, but his expression was nothing short of stubborn and overbearing. He clearly meant to go.

Nancy, who was now placed in an awkward spot, stood up abruptly.

Her face remained blank as she said, "Let's go."

After all, Hansen wanted to go drinking with his friends, didn't he? If this were before, he would have cursed Nigel out and hung up on him.

...

Half an hour later, Hansen and Nancy entered a private room at the lounge. The strong mix of cigarette smoke and alcohol hit them right away.

There were about six guys inside, and each one had two pretty young women draped over them. The only exception was Gavin Fenwick, who sat calmly in the corner while sipping from his drink. He didn't want anyone else near him.

"Hansen! Nancy! Finally!" Nigel jumped up excitedly the moment they walked in. Even the rest of the group greeted them with cheerful smiles.

Hansen moved in front of Nancy like a human wall, completely blocking her from view with his tall frame. He growled, "Who the hell said you could smoke? Put those out—Nance hates the smell. "And who let you invite these women? Get them out of here—don't you dare let them ruin Nance's night."

Seeing Hansen's dark expression, Nigel and the others caught on fast. They scrambled to put out their cigarettes.

Nigel waved the women off immediately. "You heard him—go! Now!"

Within moments, the women were gone. Before long, the group of scions then started laughing and teasing.

"Who would've thought the big boss of Jarton City would be so whipped!"

Nigel laughed the loudest. "Honestly, it just proves why Hansen landed himself a wife! He spoils her like crazy! Ah, if only I were a woman!"

Hansen raised an eyebrow and gave Nancy a smirk. "Nance, ignore Nigel. Even if Nigel were a woman, I wouldn't touch him."

Nancy's lips twitched, but she did not call him out in front of everyone. She simply smiled and hummed in agreement.

Nigel threw his hands up dramatically and turned to Gavin in mock despair. "Gavin, am I that ugly?"

Gavin looked at ease. "Yeah, you're quite ugly. Hansen wouldn't want you, and neither would I."

Then, he stood and casually walked over to Hansen, stopping right in front of him. However, his gaze barely lingered on Hansen—he quickly looked past him and locked eyes with Nancy.

He flashed a friendly smile, the kind that could easily warm someone's heart. "Nancy, long time no see."

Nancy's fingers twitched slightly as she gave a subtle nod. "Yeah. It's been a while."

Hansen saw it all—his eyes flashed sharply, though his face stayed unreadable. He placed a hand on Gavin's shoulder and asked, "You couldn't give a heads-up before coming back?"

"Just here to take care of a few things," Gavin said calmly. "And to see someone before I leave again."

Hansen's tone was casual but probing. "So, did you see her?"

"Guess you could say that," Gavin replied with a faint smile, though his eyes flicked briefly toward Nancy.

Hansen's gaze sharpened instantly. "Then you'd better leave soon. No need to tempt fate and cause trouble again."

The tension in the room spiked. This time, even the others noticed it. Nigel glanced between Hansen and Gavin. For some reason, he felt that something strange was going on.

Why did it feel like Hansen and Gavin were very hostile to each other? It was as though they were love rivals.

Trying to ease the awkwardness, Nigel stepped in with a forced chuckle. "Alright, alright. Hansen, Gavin, sit down already! Are you guys just going to stand around like that? Nancy's in heels, man. She's the one suffering."

Hansen immediately shifted his focus back to Nancy and guided her to sit with him. "Nance, my bad. I got caught up talking. Are your feet sore? Do you want me to rub them for you?"

Nancy tensed up the moment his large hand landed on her leg. Her body stiffened, and she instinctively tried to resist Hansen's touch. Nonetheless, with everyone watching, she forced herself to keep it together.

She replied simply, "No need. I haven't been standing for long. Go ahead and drink."

Hansen looked at her with a soft, indulgent smile. "We can drink anytime. Making sure you're comfortable matters more."

After that, he handed her a mug of warm water and then shot the others a warning glance. "We're just here to hang out for a bit. Nance doesn't like staying out late."

Nigel immediately raised his glass with a grin. "Got it, Hansen!"

Nancy held the mug, but she did not take a sip. Her mind kept turning around what Hansen had said—"Nance doesn't like staying out late."

What a joke. If he knew that so well, why bother dragging her out in the first place?

Soon enough, Hansen got surrounded by the other scions, who were all passing around drinks and cracking jokes. It did not take long before Hansen started showing signs of being tipsy. He soon passed a strong cocktail to Gavin.

He said, "Stick around a few more days. If you need anything, just call me."

Gavin smiled and nodded. "Sure thing."

He raised the glass and downed it in one go.

Hansen watched Gavin drink, then turned to Nancy with a grin. "Nance, this orange is sweet. You should try it."

He used a fork to spear a slice and held it up to her mouth. With everyone's eyes on her, Nancy opened her mouth and took a bite. Then, she stood abruptly and placed a hand on Hansen's shoulder.

She was done playing the perfect couple. Faking a yawn, she said, "Hans, I'm getting tired. I'll head home first."

Hansen instinctively responded, "I'll go with you—"

"No need. The driver's outside. I'll message you when I'm back. You hardly get to see the guys, so stay and enjoy yourself."

Feeling touched, Nigel immediately swooped in by throwing his arm around Hansen's shoulder. "Nancy is the best! You heard her—now you're stuck with us for the next few hours!"

Hansen looked like he wanted to protest, but Nancy was already grabbing her purse and walking out the door.

...

Just as Nancy settled into the car and the driver started the engine, her phone buzzed. It was a text from an unknown number.

"Cece, get back in here. Hansen's drunk and losing it!"

Her eyes narrowed. There was only one person in Hansen's circle who would call her that—Gavin. After all, only she and Gavin had gone to the same college, and that was his nickname for her back then.

Annoyed, Nancy let out a quiet sigh and pinched the bridge of her nose after reading the text. Then, she opened the car door and walked back into the lounge.

As Nancy stood outside the private room, she reached for the door handle. However, that was when she heard a woman's soft, teasing voice coming from inside.

"Hanny, did you miss me? It's been what, a few hours? My heart literally hurts from missing you!"

Nancy's eyes widened, and just like that, every ounce of drowsiness vanished. She pushed the door open slightly, leaving just enough space to peek through.

There, right in front of her, was Hannah. She was straddling Hansen's lap while clad in a revealing spaghetti-strap mini dress. The deep red dress was a stark contrast with her pale skin, and her voluptuous chest threatened to burst out of her dress.

Hansen raised a brow at her. His voice was low and teasing. "I don't believe you."

"Why don't you feel it and see for yourself?" Hannah boldly grabbed Hansen's hand and pressed it to her chest.

The others watched the scene fold out. Nigel even whistled. He was smirking as he teased, "Hannah, you really know how to keep things exciting. No wonder Hansen can't ever resist you!"

Nancy clenched her fists tightly. Her nails were digging into her palms, but she did not feel the pain. Her eyes were wide, blazing, and filled with disbelief.

From the way no one in that room looked surprised, it was obvious that they already knew about Hannah. Before she could gather her thoughts, Gavin, who was still holding his glass, looked at Hansen with a crooked smile.

"Wow, Hans. You treat Hannah like treasure. So tell me—do you love Nancy more, or the one sitting in your lap?"