Chapter 3

There was sexual tension in the air. The D-lister kept on leaning excessively toward Hades.

Alanna spared Hades a glance before shifting her gaze elsewhere.

Meanwhile, when Hades saw Alanna entering the room, his brows only lifted very slightly. But he didn't move otherwise.

On the other hand, it was his younger brother, Yves Florentine, whose eyes lit up as soon as he saw Alanna.

He turned around to eye Hades for a bit. Then, he looked at Alanna with a smirk on his face.

"Ms. Jacinto, here for a drink?"

"I couldn't say no to Mr. Abbott's invitation."

Alanna didn't force her way to the center of the room where everyone else was. Instead, she chose a quieter corner and sat down.

"Why are you sitting so far away? Come sit closer to us," Yves said, already prepared for some drama.

Even if nobody else knew about Hades' relationship with Alanna, Yves did. That D-lister next to Hades never piqued Hades' attention from the start. But as soon as Alanna appeared, the celebrity was as good as invisible to Hades.

Alanna was a beautiful woman. She had a pretty, innocent-looking face, but the look in her eyes was hypnotizing and mysterious.

Even if she was in her office clothes, a smile from her could turn any man's world upside-down.

Yves had to admit that Hades had excellent taste in women.

If Alanna were in showbiz, she would have been very popular with just her looks alone. It didn't matter whether she was skilled or not.

Yves wanted to bring Alanna closer to Hades. However, Alanna didn't move from her seat. She just kept to herself quietly in her corner.

She didn't want to place herself in the center of attention. It wasn't like Hades needed her by his side. If she forced her way in, she would be the awkward one out instead.

Terrence poured out a drink for Alanna and brought it over to her.

"Ms. Jacinto, have a drink with me?"

Alanna did not take the drink from him.

"I'm not feeling well today. I'll just have some iced water instead."

Terrence looked unhappy. It had been difficult for him to even invite Alanna out to a bar like this. He wanted to get drunk with her and perhaps sleep with her after they both got tipsy.

He never thought that Alanna would turn out to be such an ice queen and reject his offer.

"Mr. Florentine, Ms. Jacinto is such a cold person. How could she refuse to drink with us at a time and place like this?"

Hades glanced over at them and stared at how Terrence was leaning against Alanna's arm.

Alanna leaned away and created a gap between herself and Terrence.

Hades scoffed and said, "Mr. Abbott, what's the point of whining to me if you can't get her to drink with you? Even if I'm her supervisor at work, I have no authority over her private life."

Terrence just chuckled darkly and said, "If that's the case, don't mind me if I make her cry afterward."

The meaning hidden in his words was quite plain for all to see. After all, they were adults, so they immediately understood what he meant. Everyone began to riot.

Alanna found herself looking at Hades.

But Hades only briefly glanced at her before looking away. There was no emotion whatsoever in his eyes.

Alanna's lips curled up in a slight smile. Her heart throbbed in pain, but she ignored it as she forced herself to look away calmly.

Yves looked at Hades first, then at Alanna.

So, were they going to continue pretending that nothing happened?

Yves chuckled and decided to fan the fire. "Mr. Abbott, are you trying to say that you've got your eyes on Ms. Jacinto?"

Terrence admitted it openly. "It's obvious, isn't it? I've been pursuing her for a very long time."

He suddenly leaned closer to Alanna and asked teasingly, "Ms. Jacinto, won't you just give me a chance?"

"Oh!" Yves clapped his hands in delight. "Are you trying to snatch my brother's employees right under his nose, Mr. Abbott?"

Terrence didn't seem afraid of anything. He just looked at Hades and said, "I'd love to. I admire Ms. Jacinto very much. I just don't know if Mr. Florentine would be willing to let her go."

Hades briefly glanced at him. There was a dark look in his eyes.

"It doesn't matter whether or not I'm willing to let her go. Most importantly, it's a decision only Ms. Jacinto can make for herself. If she wants to leave, I can't possibly force her to stay, can I?"

He paused before looking at Alanna. Then, he asked coldly, "Ms. Jacinto, would you like to leave me for Mr. Abbott?"