Chapter 263

Olivia put down her wine glass.

She stood up.

"No more."

There was a man in her house.

Too much alcohol could lead to trouble.

She needed to stay clear-headed.

Julian paused mid-motion.

"We haven't finished it yet."

"You're leaving already?"

Olivia shot him a glance.

"Did you really mistake my place for a bar?"

"Planning to drink endlessly?"

Julian swirled the decanter.

"It's all aerated now."

"What a waste not to finish it."

Olivia raised an eyebrow.

"It's not a waste."

"I'll drink it by myself tomorrow."

Julian was speechless.

Olivia pointed at the wall clock.

"It's getting late."

"Time for you to go."

Julian made a disapproving sound.

"Is that how you are?"

Olivia crossed her arms.

"How am I?"

"You want me around when you need me."

"You kick me out when you don't."

"Have you ever seen anyone like this?"

Olivia snorted lightly.

"What else?"

"Should I invite you to stay the night?"

Julian leaned closer.

"It's normal for a boyfriend to stay at his girlfriend's place."

"Even though we're fake."

"Shouldn't we make it look convincing?"

Olivia pushed him away.

"Boring."

"Who cares if we live together or not?"

Before she finished speaking.

Her phone rang.

It was a WeChat video call.

Julian glanced at the screen.

A smirk touched his lips.

"Someone who cares is calling."

Before Olivia could react.

He already answered.

"Mom, what's up so late?"

Penelope's voice came through.

"Where are you?"

"This doesn't look like your place."

Julian laughed.

"Olivia's place."

Penelope sounded surprised.

"Really?"

"Don't lie to me…"

Julian turned the phone toward Olivia.

"Say hello to her."

"Olivia, my mom—"

Olivia instantly put on a bright smile.

She sat down next to him.

"Good evening, Auntie."

Penelope beamed.

"Good, good, good!"

"I didn't expect you to really be there."

"Getting ready to rest?"

Olivia nodded obediently.

"Mhm~"

Penelope advised.

"Remember to dry your hair properly."

"It's not good to keep it wrapped for too long."

Olivia agreed.

"I know, Auntie."

"I'll dry it in a bit."

Penelope added.

"Let Julian help you."

Olivia continued nodding.

"Okay~"

Penelope noticed her wrist.

"That bracelet is so pretty."

"I knew I picked the right one!"

It was that Imperial Green Jadeite bangle.

Olivia's eyes curved into smiles.

"You have great taste, Auntie."

Penelope was delighted.

"I have many treasures tucked away."

"You just wear them."

"They'll all be yours someday!"

Julian was an only child.

The only one to inherit the jewelry would be his wife.

Olivia laughed at herself inwardly.

She wasn't that fortunate.

But her words remained cheerful.

"Thank you, Auntie~"

Penelope was satisfied.

"I won't disturb you two anymore."

"Goodnight~"

Olivia waved.

"Goodbye, Auntie."

The call ended.

Julian put away his phone.

"See."

"My mom is always watching."

Olivia stood up.

"We got through that one."

"Time for you to leave."

"I need to sleep."

Julian stopped her.

"Where's the hair dryer?"

Olivia looked back.

"Why?"

Julian stated matter-of-factly.

"My mom just gave me a task."

"To dry your hair for you."

Olivia refused.

"No need."

"I can do it myself."

Julian insisted.

"No."

"I need to take a picture and send it to her."

"Otherwise, she'll nag again tomorrow."

Olivia gave in.

"Fine."

"Hurry up."

Julian picked up the dryer.

His fingers deftly combed through her strands.

Olivia narrowed her eyes.

"Not your first time doing this, is it?"

Julian sounded proud.

"I'm good at everything."

Olivia scoffed lightly.

"How many girls have you dried hair for?"

"To get this skilled."

Julian raised an eyebrow.

"Jealous?"

Olivia snorted.

"Hardly."

"You're not my man."

"I don't care who you've dried hair for."

She touched her chin.

"With skills like yours."

"If you go bankrupt someday."

"You could become a hairdresser."

"Be self-reliant."

Julian was speechless.

"Done."

He turned off the dryer.

Olivia ran her fingers through her hair.

It was smooth and not dried out.

He did a good job.

Julian looked expectant.

"How is it?"

For the first time, Olivia gave approval.

"Open a salon."

"I'll get a membership card immediately."

Julian's mouth twitched.

She yawned.

Walked straight to the bed.

Fell backward onto it.

Rolled over twice.

Pulled the covers tight.

"I'm sleeping."

"Turn off the light and close the door."

"Then leave."

"Bye~"

Julian screamed internally.

But his actions were obedient.

He turned off the light.

Gently closed the door.

Falling asleep slightly tipsy felt especially comfortable.

Olivia was soon asleep.

Julian walked to the living room.

Looked at the red wine in the decanter.

He thought for a moment.

Picked up a wine glass.

Poured another glass.

One glass after another.

Until the decanter was empty.

His head felt fuzzy.

His vision blurred.

His whole body felt light.

But his consciousness was clear.

The aftereffect was kicking in.

The wine was good.

The feeling was wonderful.

He lay down on the sofa.

Planning to rest a bit before leaving.

But then…

He fell directly asleep.

In the middle of the night.

Olivia was thirsty.

Got up to get water.

Opened the bedroom door.

The living room light was still on.

Bleary-eyed, she thought she'd forgotten to turn it off.

Reached out and switched it off.

Drank her water.

Headed back to the bedroom.

Passed the sofa.

Her wrist was suddenly grabbed.

Olivia's scalp prickled.

She instantly woke up.

Reacted by swinging her other hand.

Mid-swing.

It was caught by a warm, large palm.

Both her hands were now restrained.

"Julian—"

Before she could erupt.

He pulled her sharply.

Olivia stumbled forward.

Fell into an embrace smelling of alcohol.

Crashed against a hard chest.

"What are you doing?!" she snapped.

Julian's fingers threaded through her hair.

Pressed against her scalp.

Gently stroked her earlobe.

A shiver ran through Olivia's body.

A tingling numbness spread.

"You—"

She just started to speak.

The world spun.

The man pressed her down beneath him.

"Julian, are you insane?!"

"Didn't I tell you to leave?!"

"Why are you sleeping on my sofa?!"

"Olivia…"

In the darkness.

The soft murmur made her freeze.

"You…" She was stunned.

"Olivia Lopez."

He said her name again.

His enunciation was clear.

His tone intimate.

That first name wasn't a mistake.

"Julian, let me first—"

He didn't let her finish.

The man lowered his head.

Covered her mouth.

Their lips met.

Olivia's mind exploded—

Shattered!

She didn't know how much time passed.

Before she could react.

"Mmph mmph mmph—" Get off me!

In the darkness.

The man chuckled lowly.

"Olivia, don't you want it?"