Chapter 700

Elizabeth declined Vincent's offer. She said, "Your father's been drinking too, so you should get him home safely. Someone's already coming to pick us up." At the hotel entrance, a tipsy Lionel insisted that Vincent should escort the mother and daughter, refusing to take no for an answer. However, when Charlie appeared, Lionel suddenly sobered up and stopped pushing his son toward the Prescott women. "What's going on here?" Charlie's authoritative presence made the air grow tense. Hazel immediately complained, "Mr. Abrams keeps insisting Vincent should drive us home, even though Mom already refused." Charlie had noticed how Vincent could not meet his eyes. Given that these were his wife's business associates, he maintained a polite yet firm tone, saying, "Since I'm here, there's no need to trouble you. Mr. Abrams seems to have had quite a bit to drink, so you should take care of him first." During the drive home, Charlie lectured Hazel. "You're still young. You need to choose your