Chapter 57: Bradley's Girl? She's No Ordinary Lady!

Patrick Perry immediately sensed the tension in the air. As he moved to take away the wine in front of Freya, she swiftly grabbed it, raising a toast to Bradley Austin. "Mr. Adams, I'm truly grateful for your assistance today. This drink is to honor you." Before Bradley could respond, she emptied the glass in one swift gulp. Both Bradley's and Patrick's expressions shifted, the latter remarking, "Impressive tolerance!" Ignoring Bradley's icy stare, Patrick refilled her glass. "To Patrick," she began, raising her glass again, "Thank you for getting me home safely last time. I owe you an apology for my deceit. I'm not Ann Lawson Xin, my real name is Freya Lawson. Also, the number I gave you. It's my sister's." The memory was awkward for Patrick; he had called the number, only to hear something unexpected, an embarrassing mishap for the reputed manager of Shangri-La, known as the top playboy of the nightlife. "Miss Lawson certainly had me fooled. But apology accepted." Patrick emptied his glass, teasingly showing it off to Freya. Two drinks in, Freya's cheeks reddened. She wasn't one to hold her liquor well, but a few glasses of wine were manageable. "Tonight's drinks are on me. Just put it on my friend Madeline Luna's tab. I have to leave now." Before she could exit, the door was pushed open, revealing a cold aura emanating from Gabriel Rousseau. "Adams, drinking here without inviting me? That's not like you." Twirling his wine, Bradley raised an eyebrow, "Did you handle our business?" "Don't worry. Barret Booz paid his price. I had Dragon Lord personally take care of him," replied Gabriel, sitting next to Patrick and chugging a glass of wine. He paused when he noticed Freya, a flicker of recognition in his eyes. "Patrick, did you finally charm the little fairy?" Patrick urgently signaled him to shut up, but Gabriel, clueless, continued, "Why are you winking so much? Last I heard, the little fairy got married. But here she is. Quite the feat, Patrick." Patrick shot Bradley a nervous glance, remembering his past confession of pursuing the 'little fairy' and how it had almost cost him his life. Without hesitation, Patrick lunged at Gabriel, covering his mouth and pulling him outside. "We need to talk." After pushing Patrick off, Gabriel commented sarcastically, "Didn't know you swung both ways, Patrick. Especially with your dream girl right here." Annoyed, Patrick responded, "Do you know who the 'little fairy' is?" "Who?" "Bradley's woman!" Gabriel Rousseau looked as if he had swallowed a sour lemon, "Wait, you're saying that the little fairy is that imposter?" Having been away on an assignment for the S organization, he had just returned to Worcester and wasn't privy to recent developments. The news from Patrick Perry threw him off balance. "Drop the 'imposter' bit. She's just playing dumb. Bradley's getting close to her with his real identity to expose her true intentions. Don't blow our cover," Patrick warned. Inside the private room. Freya Lawson quickly reached for her purse, offering Bradley Austin a courteous smile. "Thank you, Mr. Austin, for a lovely evening. I should be going now." "Just two favors, and you're leaving so soon? That all your gratitude amounts to?" Bradley challenged; his tone frosty. He had not anticipated her bold move with the drink. As Freya tried to reply, Bradley's grip tightened, pulling her into his embrace. Overwhelmed by his masculine scent, she was paralyzed, looking straight into his deep eyes. A hint of mischief played on his lips, making Freya's heart skip a beat in a mix of dread and attraction. "Why not stay for three more drinks? Then, I might consider us even," Bradley suggested, his eyes scanning her flushed face, clearly registering her unease. Pushing him away, Freya regained her composure, "I apologize, but I really can't handle my liquor." Her mind raced. This man seemed eerily familiar, like an echo of Bradley Austin. A connection she couldn't quite place, but one that left her rattled. "I have friends waiting for me, but I promise I'll treat you to dinner sometime as a token of my gratitude," Freya said, eager to extract herself from the electrifying atmosphere of the room. No sooner had she left the room than she ran into Patrick Perry and Gabriel Rousseau. Offering them a quick wave, she hastened away. "Freya..." Patrick began, but she had already disappeared around the corner. Gabriel sighed, "Patrick, don't waste your time. She's with Bradley now." Entering the room, Gabriel noticed Bradley, an enigma in a man, leaning back on the couch, legs elegantly crossed, his gaze inscrutable. "Why'd she leaves so soon?" Gabriel mused aloud, hoping to chat with Freya over a glass of wine. "You have a thing for her?" Bradley's voice was icy, his sharp gaze locking onto Gabriel. Chuckling nervously, Gabriel responded, "Bro, there's a code. I'd never fall for a buddy's girl." Bradley's piercing gaze then shifted to Patrick, who had just settled in, "And you? What about you?"