Chapter 552

Lucian‘s face fell slightly.

“I‘ll leave you to your work, Mr. Farwell. I‘m just here for a drink. Don‘t feel the need to entertain me.”

Roxanne inclined her head at him before turning to head to the bar.

The bar was filled with expensive wine, as they were in a presidential suite worthy of the name. Some bottles were even vintage.

Roxanne did not know much about wine other than red wine was a sleeping aid. After perusing the selection, she opened a bottle at random.

When Lucian heard the sound of a bottle opening, he turned around to glance at Roxanne‘s back.

Although he could not see which bottle she had opened, he reminded her, “Red wine will cause a massive hangover. Don‘t drink too much.”

Roxanne grunted nonchalantly in response.

The sound of Roxanne pouring herself wine was the only thing audible in the ensuing silence of the suite.

Lucian‘s attention was so focused on her that the contents of his email did not register to him.

Roxanne quickly finished a glass of wine, but she did not feel any drowsiness during a pause for a few seconds to reflect upon her sobriety.

Exasperated, she poured herself another glass. Before she knew it, she had had five drinks.

Roxanne was beginning to feel drowsy when she came back to her senses.

Dimly aware that she could not drink anymore, Roxanne got up to return to her room after tidying up the bar. However, she found her legs giving way when she stood up.

She gave a low moan as she staggered to her feet.

Just when she thought she was going to fall, a large hand wrapped around her waist. Lucian‘s scent wafted into her nose the next second.

“I told you to go easy on the red wine.” Lucian sounded upset.

The woman would have made a fool of herself if he hadn‘t been paying attention.

Roxanne could not bring herself to answer although she had heard him. Upon noticing how warm his embrace was, she snuggled against him.

Lucian‘s eyes flashed when he noticed her movements. His grp around her waist grew tighter.

“How are you feeling? Can you walk?”

Roxanne nodded and attempted to take a step forward, but she could not muster up the energy. Her legs felt like jelly, and she almost fell out of Lucian‘s arms merely from lifting a foot.

Frowning at the state of her intoxication, Lucian swept her into his arms.

Roxanne felt herself being swept off her feet before she could process what was going on.

“I can manage…”

Lucian gazed down at her. “Let me send you back. Quiet. Don‘t wake Essie up.”

Essie...

Only then did Roxanne remember the little girl, her roommate for the night. She obediently fell silent at Lucian‘s words.

With the woman in his arms, Lucian took two steps forward before sensing she had turned and was leaning her head on his shoulder.

He looked down and saw that she was already unconscious. Her cheeks were still flushed because of the alcohol.

Lucian‘s heart softened, and he slowed down.

“Benny…” Roxanne muttered in her sleep as they were ascending the stairs. She sounded distraught.

Lucian felt something pricking his heart. He knew that she must be dreaming about losing the boy.

Although he knew that the ordeal had scarred Roxanne, the true extent of it was a revelation to him.

Lucian‘s arm tensed when the muttering became incessant. “Benny is back,” he assured her softly.

“He‘s fine now.“