Chapter 762

Chapter 762

Erin casually popped another pistachio into her mouth and spat out the shell. She glanced at Keira, puzzled. “What do you think she’s trying to do? If she wants to handle Darien, why not just deal with him directly? What’s the point of making him drink her family’s wine?”

Erin was genuinely baffled. “I mean, why bother? Just seems like an unnecessary step.”

Keira raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, and then smiled. “Ellie probably spent a lot of money on Darien, right?”

Erin nodded. “Well, she should get it back!”

Keira’s gaze shifted to Mollie. “I bet Darien’s spent quite a bit on Mollie too, maybe even transferred her some money.”

“Then she should get that back, too!” Erin shot back without a second thought.

Keira calmly explained, “But that money was transferred by Darien, not Ellie. She can’t use illegal means to reclaim it.”

“That’s her money! How’s that illegal?” Erin huffed, clearly irritated, her mind still stuck on the looser ways of her upbringing abroad. Life in Crera was so tightly bound by rules and laws that she couldn’t understand the restrictions. Back home, people with influence handled things in a much darker way. But here, even the most powerful had to walk the line carefully.

“Cobb family’s in a special position,” Keira added softly.

Erin immediately got the point and rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, rules for the rich are different here. In other places, you stay far away from those at the top. But in Crera, it’s the opposite—they’ve got to watch every step they take.”

How boring.

Thinking this, Erin shrugged, pulling another handful of pistachios from her pocket and tossing one into her mouth. From the side, Ryan, who had been silently listening to their conversation, cast Keira a brief glance, an unmistakable look of admiration in his eyes.

He understood his sister’s plans perfectly, but for Keira to see through them so quickly? Impressive. This girl wasn’t just smart—she was sharp. His thoughts flashed back to when she’d stood outside his house, blocking him from leaving, and later on, when she’d saved his life. His expression stayed neutral, though. He adjusted his glasses and absently rubbed the prayer beads on his wrist, his eyes lowering as he slipped back into his usual calm, detached demeanor.

Keira seemed to sense something and glanced at him, but when she saw Ryan looking toward Ellie, she dismissed it and turned her attention forward again.

Two bottles of wine, four people, and they’d nearly emptied both, leaving just a bit at the bottom of one.

The group lavished Darien with compliments.

“Darien, you really know how to treat people! This wine’s amazing!”

“Over a hundred grand for a bottle, and you don’t even blink. Must be nice to have money, huh?”

Mollie Francis beamed with pride. “Of course! That’s just his pocket change.”

Darien laughed, “Drink up! Eat up! Normally, there’s a limit when we come here, but today, I’m feeling generous—no limits!”

“You’re the best, Darien!”

“We’re really getting the VIP experience today!”

Mollie’s smile grew as she glanced over and noticed Ellie standing nearby. Grinning, she called out, “Hey, Ellie, want a drink?”

The moment the words left her mouth, the others in the group scoffed.

“Her? What makes her think she deserves any?”

“Exactly. She’s just the maid’s daughter. Bet her stomach couldn’t even handle a wine like this.”

Mollie giggled and looked toward Darien but was surprised when he narrowed his eyes and smirked. “Why shouldn’t she? Of course, she’s worthy of it.”

His words left everyone momentarily stunned.

Mollie’s face darkened, and she stared at Darien in disbelief. “Darien, what are you—?”

Without another word, Darien poured the last of the two bottles into a single glass, walked right up to Ellie, and held it out.

Ellie stared at the man standing in front of her, feeling a wave of sorrow. Was he finally acknowledging her?

But she’d already seen him for what he was.

Ellie chuckled bitterly. He’d done this before—random acts of kindness that made her foolishly forgive his coldness and indifference. This time, though…

As the thought crossed her mind, Darien suddenly raised the glass over her head and, with a quick twist of his wrist, poured the wine straight down onto her.

Red wine dripped from Ellie’s hair and ran down her face.

For a moment, she was stunned. Then, she let out a dry laugh. Of course. What had she been thinking? This man had always been arrogant, thinking she’d never stop caring for him. He was never going to humble himself to make things right.

That glass of wine washed away the last traces of feeling she had for him.

And at that exact moment, the manager finally arrived—carrying the bill!