An Understated Dominance - Chapter 2289

“Dr. Rhys is right. You really shouldn’t drink,” Grace said seriously. “You’re not thinking clearly as it is. Imagine what might happen if you drink!”

“Alicia, I know I’m wrong. Please talk to him and let me have just one drink,” Alicia begged, holding onto Grace’s arm. She longed for alcohol so much that even one day without it made her feel anxious.

“Come on, Alicia. Just hold on for a few more days. Dr. Rhys is doing this for your own good,” Aurora said with a reassuring smile.

“What? I have to wait a few more days?” Alicia’s expression dropped, and she slumped over the table, feeling defeated. “How am I supposed to get through this without a drink? It’s torture!”

“It’s okay. If you can’t drink, I’ll do it for you,” Fenley said with a slight smile. He took her glass and drank it in one go.

“Fenley! You—” Alicia pouted, almost in tears. It felt like everyone was against her.

“Miss, it’s just a drink. Let me buy you another one,” a deep voice said from a nearby table.

They turned to see three men sitting close by. One was tall with tanned skin and an intimidating presence. The second wore a clerical robe with a cross around his neck and smiled warmly. The third was dressed in a handsome suit.

These three were George, Jeremiah, and Bill.

“Lovely miss, I’m new to Dragonmarsh. I haven’t seen anyone as captivating as you. May I invite you for a drink?” Bill said with a charming smile as he approached with a glass of wine.

He was always confident in his looks and believed that any woman he pursued would eventually fall for him. Even those who played hard to get usually ended up giving in. Once they were in his bed, he took pride in his charm.

“Who are you?” Alicia asked, looking at him with curiosity.

“I’m Bill Wolfe from Esmington,” he said with a smile. “I’ve been honored with an aristocratic title by Her Royal Highness.”

Bill thought his appearance was important, but his title was even more crucial. Whenever he mentioned it, women would flock to him.

Alicia, however, was unimpressed. “So what?” she replied, her face showing little emotion, but her eyes revealed her disdain.

She couldn’t believe he was trying so hard to show off his title as if it were the most important thing about him. It made her cringe.

Bill was taken aback by her lack of interest. He expected a warmer reception, but instead, he was met with indifference. He had heard that women from Dragonmarsh were easy to charm.

“Lovely miss, there’s an old saying in Dragonmarsh: crossing paths is a sign of destiny. Since we’ve met, would you join me for a drink?” He smiled and repeated his invitation.

“Not interested. Please leave,” Alicia said firmly.

She had encountered plenty of charming men before and had no patience for arrogant ones like Bill. Besides, she found Dustin more appealing.

“I heard you enjoy fine wines. I have a collection of rare wines at home. How about I bring some for you to try?” Bill continued to press his offer.

“No thanks. I’m not in the mood for a drink right now,” Alicia replied, visibly annoyed.

Did he not understand her hint? She had already turned him down, but he kept insisting. It was starting to irritate her.

“Hey! My sister is not interested, so can you leave us alone while we eat?” Aurora said bluntly, making it clear they wanted him gone.

The Marshall sisters were used to unwanted attention. Usually, a firm refusal was enough to make guys back off.

But Bill just didn’t get the message. He gave off a creepy vibe that made everyone uncomfortable.

“Bill, I never thought I’d see you get rejected,” George said from the next table, laughing loudly. His face was filled with a smug satisfaction.

George had always envied Bill’s charm; women seemed to flock to him everywhere. So, he was excited to see Bill, who seldom faced rejection, finally turned down.

“Shut up!” Bill snapped at George.

Then he turned to Alicia, his expression growing serious. “What will it take for you to come with me? Just name your price.”

Since flirting wasn’t working, he was trying to buy her off. As the Shadow Prince, he had plenty of power and money.

Before Alicia could reply, Aurora slammed her hand on the table and stood up. “Hey! Are you deaf? Get out of here, or I won’t be so nice!”