"Chelsea..." Charlotte murmured.


    Chelsea answered right away, full of cheer.


    Cecilia watched the two lively girls andughed. "Okay, let''s go in."


    "Okay!"


    The three of them walked inside together.


    The manager recognized Cecilia and Charlotte, both close friends of the owner, and hurried up to wee them.


    Because of his eagerness, many employees nced over. Among them was a familiar face whose gaze kept sliding toward Chelsea.


    A coworker elbowed him and sneered, "Jason, quit staring. She''s out of your league and always will be. Know your ce, okay?"


    Jason lowered his head and said nothing.


    Just then, another colleague sidled over.


    "Jason, didn''t the Rainsworths thank you after your heroic rescue? With their kind of money, one loose coin would set you up for life."


    Jason paused mid-rinse, eyes darkening a fraction before he replied, "They thanked me, but I didn''t help her for a reward, so I took nothing."


    He was speaking nothing but the truth.


    The questioning coworker clicked his tongue.


    "Sure, keep ying saint. I don''t buy it."


    Jason shot him a frosty nce and fell silent.


    He lived his life without needing anyone''s approval.


    Not long ago, after saving Chelsea, Kingston, and Phoebe had privately offered him a hefty sum; he turned them down.


    He didn''t want anyone thinking he saved a life for money.


    Some might call him self-righteous, but all he wanted was peace of mind.


    When Jason stayed quiet, the others lost interest and drifted back to work.


    Meanwhile, Chelsea was chatting away with Cecilia and Charlotte.


    "I can finally cut loose tonight!"


    Both times she''de here before, she''d nearlynded in danger.


    With Cecilia and Charlotte beside her, she could drink and have fun in peace.


    "Chelsea, take it easy on the alcohol," Cecilia advised.


    Chelsea shed a smile tinged with bitterness. "I''m fine. I''m happy I''ve got more friends now."


    Cecilia and Charlotte could both tell she wasn''t truly upbeat.


    "Chelsea, what''s wrong? Is something bothering you?" Charlotte asked bluntly.


    Chelsea''s hand, wrapped around her ss, stilled. After a long pause, she said, "It''s nothing serious. Just... marriage stuff."


    "Marriage isn''t serious?" Charlotte eximed, startled.


    Chelsea''s throat tightened as she said, "Marriage is obviously a huge milestone. Precisely because it matters so much, I refuse to rush into it. But my parents... You both know what they''re like."


    Charlotte, who knew a little of the situation, couldn''t help asking, "Chelsea, you''re talented, beautiful, ande from an excellent family. You must have an endless line of men chasing you. Do none of them meet your standards?"


    Maybe the wine was already taking effect; Chelsea answered with an emphatic nod.


    "All those ordinary, dime-a-dozen types—I wouldn''t waste a nce on them."


    Resting her chin in her palm, Charlotte chuckled, "Fair enough. If I were as extraordinary as you, I''d turn my nose up at them too."


    While the three of them were chatting animatedly, Jason arrived with a fresh tray of drinks.


    His gaze lingered on Chelsea, carrying aplicated emotion she couldn''t read.


    He offered a kind reminder, "The alcohol isn''t strong, but drink enough and it will still knock you out."