A few days later, at the bar.
Desmond Fairchild sat in the booth with a dark expression, while Quentin Jennings next to him smiled ingratiatingly, "Fairchild, don’t look so scary. I know you’ve got a wife, but coming out to have a drink with me isn’t a big deal."
Ever since Desmond Fairchild got together with Seraphina Sinclair, he hadn’t come out for drinks with him again. Quentin Jennings, on a whim, came up with an excuse to lure Desmond Fairchild out.
"If you’re this idle next time, there’s plenty of work at the company, you could stay late and do some overtime," Desmond Fairchild gave him a glance and said.
"Oh no, Fairchild, I’m sorry. Didn’t I teach you how to set off Sky Lanterns for your wife a few days ago? Consider it my way of making amends," Quentin Jennings said with a wry smile, thinking how he’d have no time to meet beautiful women if he had to do overtime.
Seeing Desmond Fairchild’s unmoved expression, Quentin Jennings let out a sigh of defeat, then perked up to scan the surrounding people, looking for any potential hunting targets tonight. After all, there might not be many chances in the future...
Suddenly, his gaze froze at the bar counter, and he tugged at Desmond Fairchild beside him, "Fairchild, isn’t that Ethan Lloyd over there?"
Upon hearing Quentin Jennings’ words, Desmond Fairchild raised his head and looked in the indicated direction, sure enough, he saw Ethan Lloyd sitting at the bar, accompanied by a woman dressed skimpily.
"I have to say, Ethan Lloyd is just too greedy and heartless, now he’s gotten himself stuck," Quentin Jennings watched Ethan Lloyd and the woman flirting and shook his head.
Desmond Fairchild tapped his fingers on the table, his expression making people shudder. Quentin Jennings discreetly distanced himself a bit, mentally offering a moment of silence for Ethan Lloyd, then adopted a watching-the-show attitude.
However, Desmond Fairchild didn’t make a move; he simply sent a message on his phone and continued chatting with Quentin Jennings about other things.
Just past ten o’clock, Desmond Fairchild stood up from the booth as if to leave.
"What? It’s so early, and you’re already heading back?" Quentin Jennings looked at him in disbelief; the nightlife was just beginning.
Yet, Desmond Fairchild flashed a bit of a smile, leisurely buttoning up his coat, "The missus at home is strict."
Single Quentin Jennings: "..."
Hit with a thousand points of damage!
Watching Desmond Fairchild leave, Quentin Jennings shook his head; this time Fairchild really was trapped. Trapped tight, and he was willingly enjoying it.
Seraphina Sinclair watched Desmond Fairchild step into the house and approached him, surprised, "You’re back so soon? Didn’t Quentin say he needed to talk to you?"
Desmond Fairchild took off his coat still carrying the outside chill and hung it aside, then wrapped Seraphina Sinclair in his arms, speaking casually, "Quentin called me out for drinks."
Seraphina Sinclair squinted her eyes immediately, "Oh, Quentin Jennings, you actually took Desmond Fairchild out for drinks at the bar? I’ll give you a piece of my mind when I see you next time."
"You didn’t drink much, did you?" Seraphina Sinclair smelled the faint aroma of alcohol on Desmond Fairchild and worriedly asked.
"No, but I saw Ethan Lloyd at the bar," Desmond Fairchild clung to Seraphina Sinclair as they headed to the sofa.
"Ethan Lloyd? Well, him being at the bar makes sense now, being homeless and his business having just been messed up," Seraphina Sinclair poured a cup of hot water for Ethan Lloyd, sneering.
After Desmond Fairchild drank the hot water, Seraphina Sinclair told him what she had done.
"This time, I want to see those two go at each other like dogs," Seraphina Sinclair sneered.
Desmond Fairchild didn’t say anything, absently caressing Seraphina Sinclair’s hair, showing a thoughtful expression.
"Moreover, my father’s death might be related to Ethan Lloyd." Ever since James Jacobs mentioned his suspicions to her, she’s had people investigating the events of that year, but since it’s been five or six years, uncovering the truth isn’t easy. So far, she still has no evidence.
Seraphina Sinclair sighed, leaning entirely into Desmond Fairchild. She blamed herself for not being more observant back then, which ended up harming both herself and others.
Desmond Fairchild seemed to sense her mood, lowered his head, and dropped soothing kisses at the corners of her lips.
"Desmond Fairchild, lend me a few people, preferably those whom Melanie Lloyd hasn’t met, and who look rather plain," Seraphina Sinclair suddenly devised a plan, raising her head from Desmond Fairchild’s embrace and looking at him with excitement.
Ethan Lloyd hadn’t gone back, and had been leaving in Avril’s car these days. Given his temperament, he’s most likely staying at Avril’s place. If Melanie Lloyd finds out about this, it’ll certainly make things even more interesting.
Now, what she needs to do is inform Melanie Lloyd of this discreetly without causing trouble for herself.
This little task, there’s no way Desmond Fairchild won’t agree, but given his nature, how could he not collect some interest?
"Lending you a few people is no problem, but how do you plan to thank me?" Desmond Fairchild leaned closer to Seraphina Sinclair, staring straight into her eyes.
Getting closer, the faint aroma of alcohol on Desmond Fairchild became even more enticing, making Seraphina Sinclair suddenly feel dry-mouthed and uncomfortable. She slightly turned away her head, unconsciously swallowed, Desmond Fairchild’s gaze darkened, and he leaned in for a kiss.
"Mm... Desmond Fairchild, your son... is here at home," Seraphina Sinclair said with effort amidst the kisses.
Desmond Fairchild paused momentarily, then swept Seraphina Sinclair off the sofa and strode into the room.
Desmond Fairchild pressed Seraphina Sinclair onto the bed, gently biting her ear as he spoke, "The soundproofing at Azure Cloud Shores is quite good, don’t worry."
Seraphina Sinclair: "..."
However, she soon lost the ability to think, reflexively clinging to Desmond Fairchild, her fingers tightly gripping his shoulders like a drowning person clutching onto the last straw.
Outside it was the dead of winter, but inside it was full of spring. For more chapters visit novᴇlfire.net