Chelsea looked up at him; he seemed strangely familiar, yet she couldn''t ce where she had met him before.


    Growing irritated, she demanded, "Are you looking down on me? Hm?"


    Jason froze for a heartbeat, then shook his head. "No, I only meant to remind you."


    He sounded unfailingly polite, the picture of a well-mannered gentleman.


    Chelsea, however, was far from pleased. Studying the refined lines of his face, she dered, "You''re underestimating me, Handsome. I can drink anyone under the table."


    Jason merely watched her, said nothing, and turned to leave.


    His retreat convinced Chelsea even more that he was belittling her.


    She shot to her feet, and before Cecilia or Charlotte could react, she strode after Jason and blocked his path.


    "What''s your name?"


    Clearly caught off guard, he answered at once, "Jason Whitaker."


    "Jason Whitaker?" she echoed.


    It was, to be honest, an ordinary name-no doubt there were plenty of Jason Whitakers in the world.


    After a moment''s thought, Chelsea announced, "Jason, you''re off the clock tonight. I''m buying out your time. Come drink with us."


    Without waiting for his reply, she nced back at Cecilia and Charlotte.


    "Cecilia, Lottie, what do you think? It''s boring with just the three of us; let''s invite him to join."


    Cecilia noted his server uniform. Since they were on Darren''s turf, she figured he wouldn''t dare try anything shady and nodded in consent.


    Charlotte had no objection either. She lowered her voice and whispered to Cecilia, "This waiter''s pretty handsome. Why''s he only delivering drinks?"


    At Royale Club, waiters with even a hint of good looks were rarely relegated to routine deliveries.


    "I have no idea," Cecilia answered with a puzzled shake of her head.


    Charlotte stared ahead, thought for a moment, and muttered, "Could Chelsea be interested in him?"


    Back at the charity auction, Chelsea hadn''t shown the slightest interest in any man. Why chase after a waiter now?


    Even Chelsea herself regretted the impulsive invitation the moment it left her lips. What if I''ve just invited trouble?


    Jason, for his part, stared at her for a long beat, and what he said next stunned everyone nearby.


    "No, thank you. I''m still on shift. Sorry."


    The surrounding staff knew exactly who Chelsea was.


    llionaire heiress. People


    She was would with


    up for a chance to , and yet Jason had turn .


    Idiot! someone silently cursed.


    Chelsea froze as well; she hadn''t expected rejection.


    Humiliated and unwilling to let it go, she snapped, "I told you, your job tonight is to serve us."


    She paused, then added, "Afraid I won''t pay?"


    With that, Chelsea pulled out a card and offered it to him.


    "There''s no PIN. Spend whatever you like."


    Envious stares immediately


    onto


    es alleeson. More than one


    e wanted to sho


    the deal.


    But Jason''s face went cold. "I''m not for sale."


    With that, he didn''t linger another second and strode off.


    Chelsea was left standing alone, feeling utterly disoriented.


    Cecilia immediately motioned for Charlotte to step in and defuse the awkwardness.


    Charlotte understood at once, rose from her seat, and walked toward Chelsea.


    "Chelsea, forget it. Drinking is perfectly fun with just the three of us."


    It took Chelsea a long moment to collect herself.


    She wasn''t the least bit drunk, yet Jason''s refusal had sent a furious blush surging up her cheeks.


    She had sailed through life this far without a single man ever daring to reject her.