Chapter 296

"Anna, why won't you even look at me?"

He tilted his head back, gulping down the strong liquor, his entire body sinking deep into the sofa.

From their university days until now, his feelings for her had never been any less than Adrian Sinclair's. He thought he would finally get his chance, yet she remained completely blind to his existence.

"Lucas, you're drunk." Anna Ross stood up, reaching to take the bottle from his hand.

Lucas suddenly grabbed her wrist, pulling her with force. The world spun. In the next moment, she was pinned firmly beneath him.

Anna's pupils contracted sharply. She struggled fiercely. "Lucas, what are you doing?!"

It was as if he couldn't hear her. His fingers gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. This close—he had only ever dared to dream of such proximity.

Anna's entire body went rigid. Her eyes were filled with terror, yet she couldn't move.

"Anna, that day at the hotel... I was going to confess to you. But you ran away." His voice was soft as he gently brushed a strand of hair from her face, his eyelashes lowered.

Anna closed her eyes, turning her head away from his touch.

Lucas paused. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, his voice muffled. "Anna, I've liked you since university. Can't you give me one chance?"

Anna's mind went blank. Suddenly, the image of Adrian Sinclair flashed before her eyes.

She shook her head hard, trying to dispel that man's outline.

"Lucas, I—" Her words were cut short as his weight suddenly grew heavier against her. The sound of even breathing reached her ears. She pushed at the person on top of her. He was already fast asleep.

She managed to wriggle out from under Lucas. Gazing at the man sleeping soundly on the sofa, she whispered softly, "I'm sorry."

She didn't want to like anyone anymore. She certainly didn't deserve to be liked by anyone else. He deserved a better girl.

Now came the difficult part. She didn't know any of Lucas's friends. She didn't know anyone around here either. How was she supposed to get him home?

Anna thought for a moment. She reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his phone. She tried to turn it on, but it required a passcode.

She was silent for a long while. She tried to rouse the man on the sofa. She called his name several times. Lucas showed no reaction.

Anna sighed in frustration. She continued trying to unlock the phone. Cracking someone else's phone felt nearly impossible.

"Excuse me, are you Miss Ross?"

Anna looked up. A slightly plump man stood before her, smiling. "I'm here to take the young master home." The man gestured toward the person on the sofa.

Understanding dawned on Anna. She quickly handed over the phone and stepped aside.

The man helped Lucas to his feet, bid her farewell, and left.

Watching their retreating figures, Anna finally let out a long, deep breath.

The bar owner, Pamela, finally approached. She placed a hand on Anna's shoulder. "Anna, that young man is quite nice. He came here because he's pursuing you, right?"

It seemed things hadn't gone very well. Pamela blinked. "I think you should consider giving him a chance. These days, finding someone who genuinely likes you is truly rare."

Anna smiled bitterly and shook her head. After a moment of silence, she said quietly, "Pamela, I don't like him. I can't lead him on."

Besides, even though she and Adrian were separated now, she still wasn't ready to accept anyone new.