Don't Be a Tease, Mr. Blackwood

During her lunch break, Sophie Shaw couldn’t get in touch with Alaric Blackwood.

His calls went unanswered, and his texts were unread.

They had agreed to buy a birthday present for her grandmother together, but he had stood her up.

She was alone, and with a limited lunch break, she gave up on going to the mall. She ordered some takeout, ate quickly, and returned to work.

When she got home that evening, there was no sign of Alaric Blackwood.

Lawson had prepared dinner, and it was a sumptuous spread.

"Where is he?"

Lawson shook her head. "He went out this morning and hasn’t come back yet."

Sophie Shaw pulled out a chair at the dining table, sat down, and dialed Alaric Blackwood’s number.

Still no answer.

She felt a sudden surge of anger.

Knowing that Alaric Blackwood was closest to Evan Ford and Jaden, she decided to contact them directly.

Her first call was to Evan Ford, but he didn’t pick up. She then called Jaden, who told her he was with his girlfriend and not with Alaric Blackwood. So, she tried Evan’s number again.

After three consecutive calls, Evan Ford finally answered.

"Cousin, are you trying to blow up my phone?"

"Is Alaric Blackwood with you?"

"Yeah."

"Where are you?"

"Alaric’s not in a good mood today. He’s staying at my place tonight. He’ll be back tomorrow, so don’t worry."

Evan Ford didn’t give her his address and hung up as soon as he finished speaking.

Sophie Shaw put down her phone and ate dinner alone, fuming silently.

Afterward, the more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

’Standing me up is one thing, but now he’s not even coming home for the night.’

’And his reason is that he’s ’not in a good mood’...’

’Does being in a bad mood give him the right to just disappear?’

Sophie Shaw went upstairs to wash up and got into bed early, but she tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.

Despite her anger, she couldn’t help but worry, thinking about how Alaric Blackwood hadn’t been home all day, was still injured, and probably hadn’t taken his medicine.

After a long internal debate, she picked up her phone and called her grandmother.

"Is my cousin living at home with you?"

The old woman replied, "He lives on his own."

"Grandmother, could you send me my cousin’s address? I need to see him about something."

"What is it?"

"It’s about my husband."

The old woman didn’t press further. After hanging up, she immediately sent Evan Ford’s detailed address to Sophie Shaw.

Sophie Shaw got dressed, got in her car, and drove straight to Evan Ford’s house.

She rang the doorbell, and a moment later, Evan Ford opened the door.

Upon seeing her, Evan Ford showed no surprise. His expression remained cold and stern as he tilted his head toward the living room sofa. "Alaric’s asleep."

"Why is he in a bad mood?"

Sophie Shaw asked as she walked into the house.

"He just found out today that the father he’s looked up to as a role model his whole life not only cheated with his secretary when he was younger but also has an illegitimate daughter."

Sophie Shaw had arrived furious, but hearing this, she froze in her tracks.

She turned back and looked at Evan Ford in astonishment. "You’re saying his father..."

Evan Ford nodded helplessly. "It’s a huge blow for Alaric. The main thing is, he knows the truth but can’t reveal it. If he does, the whole family will fall apart. All that pressure is on him alone."

"Don’t blame him for not coming home. He’s been completely devastated all day and didn’t dare face you in this state."

Sophie Shaw nodded silently and walked toward the sofa.

The man was covered with a fluffy blanket, curled up on his side. Even in sleep, his brow was tightly furrowed.

As she drew closer, she could smell the strong scent of alcohol on him.

"He’s been drinking?"

Evan Ford replied, "I had a little with him. I deliberately poured him a few extra glasses to help him get some sleep."

On the coffee table sat three empty bottles of red wine and two tall wine glasses.

’This is more than ’a little’ or ’a few extra glasses’...’

"His injuries haven’t healed yet. You shouldn’t have gotten him drunk."

Sophie Shaw’s tone carried a hint of reproach.

Evan Ford sighed. "His usual way of blowing off steam is to go boxing. If I hadn’t gotten him drunk enough to pass out, do you think his wounds would have reopened or not?"

Sophie Shaw was speechless.

"Since you’re here, you can stay with him."

Evan Ford stuffed his hands in his pockets, strode toward the entryway, and walked out the door.

"Where are you going?"

Without turning back, Evan Ford said, "Giving you two some space."

He closed the door and slipped away.

Since he had been drinking, he didn’t drive. He left the residential complex, hailed a taxi on the street, and went straight to a billiards club.

The club was in his name; he had opened it out of personal interest and hired someone to manage it. He and his friends often met up here to play.

The club had an exclusive lounge for him, a quiet place where he wouldn’t be disturbed.

He had planned to just crash in his lounge for the night. However, when he arrived, before he could even head toward his room, he heard a clear, hearty laugh.

A woman’s laugh.

He slowed his pace and followed the sound with his eyes. A woman holding a pool cue was standing by a billiards table, watching a young man play.

The man was a regular at the club. His family was in business, and he had a bit of money.

He showed up here at least twenty days a month, and always with a different woman on his arm.

Evan Ford’s attention wasn’t on the man, but on the woman beside him.

It was Sophie Shaw’s "money-grubbing" best friend.

’I think that little money-grubber’s name was Anne?’

Evan Ford stopped in his tracks to watch.

He was somewhat sensitive to Anne’s laugh; the memory of it was sharp.

’I wonder if this counts as a stress response.’

"Mr. Spencer, you’re really good at pool," Anne said with a smile.

Felix Spencer sank a ball and smiled smugly. "Miss Austin, you’re not bad yourself. Of all the women I’ve met, you’re the best at pool."

The two had met on a blind date.

Anne had taken action and sought out a Matchmaker. Just that afternoon, she had met Felix Spencer through an introduction from Ruby. The two had coffee together and hit it off quite well.

Felix Spencer shared her hobby of playing pool to relax in his free time. What’s more, they even frequented the same billiards club. She felt it was destiny.

So when Felix Spencer invited her to play pool that evening, she hesitated for a while but came anyway.

"Ruby told me Miss Austin works for a celebrity. Which one?"

Anne waved her hand. "It’s not really convenient to discuss work-related matters."

Felix Spencer didn’t push it, just smiled understandingly. "Miss Austin, have you ever been in a relationship before?"

"No."

"For real?"

"When I was in school, I was busy studying. After I started working, I was busy making money. There was no time for dating."

"So then..." Felix Spencer’s gaze lingered on her. "You’re still a virgin?"

Anne was suddenly awkward and a little uncomfortable.

’This guy is way too direct,’ she thought. ’This is only the second time we’ve met...’

Noticing the slight change in her expression, Felix Spencer quickly explained, "Miss Austin, don’t get the wrong idea. I was just asking. I didn’t mean anything by it."

"To be honest with you, I’m very interested in you."

"Miss Austin, you’re beautiful, cheerful, and independent, and you play pool so well. It’s hard not to like you."

Felix Spencer’s words were pure flattery. "Even though we’ve just met, I’m very satisfied with you, Miss Austin."

"Is this your way of confessing your feelings?"

Anne had zero experience with romance. She had contacted the Matchmaker purely because she had been a bit idle lately.

It’s just how people are.

When money isn’t tight, and work slows down, once you’re well-fed and have had a drink, your mind tends to wander to... other desires.