Keeping it from t, Antoine agreed. Halt an bonster, he pushes the door open and stepped into the private usoni,


    than was nursing a drink, and halt a bottle of red wine sat empty on the table. He had acigarette dangling from his left hand and was fiddling with his phone win he trally locked up at the sound. As Ethan''s friend, Antene had watched him change bit by bit over the past six monilis.


    Smoking, drinking, and growing increasingly withdrawn-ever since thatuite won Landed him in the hospital, he hadn''t fully recovered, and he looked like a shell of his te self...


    Antoine sighed and walked over. "How''s the wound healing? You''re still smoking?"


    "Asthing happening with Evelyntely?" Ethan asked, extinguishing the cigarette in the ashtray.


    Antoine hesitated, staring at Ethan for a long moment without saying thing.


    Ethan held his gaze. "L told you not to say thing? t that''s the case, then don''t."This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    Heterod a smile and poured Antoine a drink "Want to join me? It''s been ages since we''ve had a drink together. You''re getting a little forgetful."


    Antoine sat down next to Ethanaising his ss, "L she''s a bit clueless. I can''t help but worry about her."


    Ethan didn''t respond, clinking his ss against Antoine''s,


    After a few rounds, both of them were starting to feel the effects of the alcohol


    Ethan leaned back against the couch, staring up at the vintage, luxurious crystal chandelier. "Antoine, I really envy you."


    His voice was low, heavy with sadness, regret, and reluctance. "I envy that you''re with someone you care about, that you can be so close to each other. "Antoine, I used to think there was nothing I couldn''t achieve if 1 just worked hard enough. But with Evelyn, I can feel she likes me. I know she cares, but there''s this inexplicable barrier between us


    feels like no matter how hard I try, I just can''t get over it." Ethanchucded sadly. "Antoine, I don''t know what to do


    anymore."


    Artine feita pang of sympathy for him. After a moment of silence, he hesitated before speaking, "Ethan, maybe you and Evelyn really don''t have a future together or letting go might be the best oue for both of you right now."


    "But it hans." Ethan raised his hand to cover his eyes, his voice dry and hoarse. "I''ve tried, and it really hurts"


    Antoine wanted to utter more advice, but he realized it was one of those things one had to feel for themselves. In the end, he stayed silent.


    Just then. Antoine phone buzzed on the table, and he set his drink down to answer it.


    L''s tweet voice came through the receiver. "Where are you? Can youe plek me up? I''m worried about Evelyn. The housekeeper made barbecue ribs, macaroni and cheese, and m chowder. I want to take some to her." Arteme stood up, gesturing to Ethan that he was leaving. He grabbed his car keys and headed out. "Sure, I''ve had a bit to drink, so I''ll call a ride to pick you up. I''ll be there in about half an hour. Just wait for me." Erhan watched Antoine''s disappearing digute, feeling a bit lost.


    The phone buzzed again, snapping Ethan back to reality. He answered, "Did you find anything?


    "Mr Grayson, we''ve got something, Leonard Yate, Ethan''s assistant, spoke clearly over the line. "Mr. Wiley seems to have reported that Ms. Leah Grantmitted murder, and the victim is her grandmother"