Chapter 45
“Mr. Grant, happy birthday and congratulations on your marriage,” Leon raised his glass in a toast to Ellison.
At the Rolex store, Carmelo had just stepped out of his car and hurried into the VIP lounge, where Ruby was already waiting for him.
When Ruby saw him, her previously displeased expression softened into a sweet smile. “Carmelo,” she greeted him warmly.
Carmelo, whose face usually wore a cold, brooding look, couldn’t help but show a genuine smile when he saw Ruby. He walked over quickly, concern evident in his voice. “Ruby, what’s going on? Why did you call me?”
Ruby immediately pulled him down to sit beside her, slipping her arm around his. “I just saw a watch that would be perfect for you,” she said, pulling out the watch she had just taken from Joycelyn and carefully placing it on Carmelo’s wrist.
“Isn’t it beautiful? I picked it out just for you,” Ruby said, keeping her grip on Carmelo’s arm, her touch intimate and affectionate.
Carmelo, already fond of her, felt touched as he looked at the watch on his wrist. “I really like it. Thank you,” he said, his voice full of restrained affection.
“You can pick whatever you like. I’ll pay,” Carmelo added gently.
As a member of the prestigious Jones family, Carmelo was never short of wealth.
Ruby, of course, knew how much Carmelo cared for her, though she never made their relationship obvious. She preferred to keep things subtle, using him to her advantage when needed.
“I’ve prepared a birthday gift for Ellison. Can you give it to him on my behalf?” Ruby asked, her eyes sparkling as she picked up a small gift bag.
Carmelo’s smile immediately faded at the request.
Ruby gently shook his arm, her voice sweet and coaxing. “Carmelo, please.”
Her soft, persuasive voice left him with no resistance. “Fine. I’ll pass it along for you,” he agreed.
“Thank you! Make sure you tell him it’s from you, and make sure he wears it tomorrow,” Ruby added, wrapping her arm around his as she smiled sweetly.
Carmelo grunted quietly in response. “Okay.”
At the restaurant, Carmelo arrived about ten minutes late. He placed the gift Ruby had asked him to deliver next to Ellison and said, “Ellison, happy birthday. This watch really suits you. Be sure to wear it tomorrow.”
Carmelo’s voice was calm and cold, but with a faint smile that only made him seem distant.
“Thanks for the trouble,” Ellison replied with a low, almost bored tone.
“Everyone’s here now, let’s have a toast,” Leon said lazily, lifting his glass.
Later that evening, the atmosphere at the dinner was relaxed, having been a long time since they’d all been together.
When Ellison got home, William brought the gifts from his friends down to the living room.
Joycelyn, just coming down the stairs with a glass of water, saw Ellison, who seemed a little tipsy. His usually stern face had a faint blush.
He sank into the sofa, leaning back and closing his eyes to rest.
“Mr. Grant, are you drunk?” Joycelyn asked, walking over with a glass of warm water.
William, having placed all the gifts down, stood up and replied, “Mr. Grant had a few drinks with friends today. He might be a little tipsy. Thank you for taking care of him, Mrs. Grant.”
“Oh, no problem. Do you want me to help him upstairs to rest?” Joycelyn asked.
It was almost nine o’clock, and Ellison’s body clock was usually set for a 9:30 bedtime.
“I’m not drunk,” Ellison opened his eyes, his deep gaze locking with hers.
His voice, husky from the alcohol, was low and magnetic, a stark contrast to his usual authoritative tone. It was laced with a lazy, carefree edge, making it hard to tell if he was truly drunk.
William didn’t want to intrude further, so he left after giving them a few simple reminders.
Joycelyn stood beside Ellison, holding the water cup, gazing at his handsome face. She sat down next to him and handed him the water. “Drink some water. Would you like me to make you some hangover soup?”
“No need,” Ellison took her soft, small hand into his, his voice low and dark. “Joycelyn.”
“Mmm,” Joycelyn replied softly, feeling his warm hand envelop hers. The heat from his touch made her feel flustered, and she could feel her palm sweating from the warmth.
“You’re concerned about me?” Ellison’s gaze was intense, and as he looked at her, his eyes deepened with meaning. Even just locking eyes with him for a moment made her heart skip a beat.
Joycelyn’s eyelashes fluttered, and she nodded. “Mm, drinking isn’t good for your health.”
“That sounds so dismissive,” Ellison released her hand and closed his eyes again, his voice slightly frustrated.
He lay there silently, making Joycelyn unsure of what to do next.
“Why dismissive?” she asked, her voice quiet.
“My grandmother always said that eyes don’t lie. True concern is gentle,” Ellison’s voice was deep and rich, sending a strange tightness to Joycelyn’s chest.
Joycelyn didn’t know how to respond, so she stayed silent.
After a pause, Ellison spoke again, his voice more melancholic now, “You’re just going through the motions.”
Joycelyn froze, her clear eyes filled with confusion. He must have really been drunk if he was suddenly so introspective.
“Um, are all these gifts from your friends?” she quickly changed the subject, sensing the tension.
The gifts were obviously well-packaged and expensive—bottles of wine, golf clubs, and other high-end items.
The first gift bag caught her eye. It was from Rolex, and it looked familiar.
It resembled the limited-edition watch she’d seen earlier at the store, the one that the rich girl had bought.
Ellison gave a nonchalant “Mm-hmm” in response.
“Can I see it?” Joycelyn couldn’t help but ask, her curiosity piqued.
“Go ahead,” Ellison said casually.
Joycelyn put her water down and picked up the Rolex box. She opened it, and as expected, it was the same watch from earlier—the store’s signature item.
She froze for a moment but didn’t say anything. She closed the box again.
That watch, worth over a million dollars, was far beyond the price of the one she had bought for herself.
After lying down for a while, Ellison sat up and said, “Tomorrow night, we’re going to Grandma’s for dinner.”
“Okay,” Joycelyn replied obediently.
The two of them exchanged a few words, their conversation feeling rather dull.
Perhaps because of the alcohol, Ellison’s frustration seemed to be replaced by slight restlessness.
“Have you taken a shower yet?” Ellison asked.
“Yeah,” Joycelyn nodded, turning to look at him.
But before she could react, Ellison leaned toward her, his lips softening as they met hers.
The scent of alcohol mixed with his fresh, unique fragrance enveloped her. Joycelyn’s entire body tensed as Ellison kissed her deeply, his hands roaming instinctively, quickly undressing her.
The mood shifted suddenly. When their skin finally touched, Joycelyn, breathless, managed to pull away.
“… I’m on my period,” she said, her voice halting.
The words hit Ellison like a cold shower, instantly cooling the heat that had built up inside him.
