"I need your help, Liam." Selina's voice trembled through the phone. "Violet's at Midnight KTV with so sketchy guys. I'm worried sothing bad might happen."
I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling a headache forming. "That's not my problem anymore."
"Please," she begged. "I don't know who else to call. These guys—they keep pouring drinks and getting handsy. Room 888, the Emperor's Suite. I'm scared."
I checked the ti: 11:43 PM. The last thing I wanted was to deal with my ex-sister-in-law's poor life choices.
"Violet made it clear I'm not family anymore," I said coldly, mories of the Sterling family's treatnt still raw.
"I know, and I'm sorry, but—" Her voice dropped to a whisper. "She's completely wasted. We're the only two girls here with like eight guys. Please, Liam."
I sighed heavily. Despite everything, I couldn't ignore a genuine cry for help.
"Fine. I'll be there in twenty minutes. Try to stay sober."
After hanging up, I called Eamon. As expected, he wasn't thrilled.
"You want to do what now?" he grumbled after I explained.
"Just et there," I replied. "I might need backup."
Forty minutes later, we stood outside Midnight KTV, the city's most expensive karaoke club. The building lood before us, all sleek glass and pulsing lights. Inside, the receptionist eyed us suspiciously until I dropped Violet's na and ntioned Room 888.
"Ah, Mr. Yellow Hair's party," she said with a knowing smile. "Top floor, end of the hall."
As we rode the elevator up, Eamon shot a look. "This is a waste of ti. Your ex-wife's sister isn't your responsibility."
"I know," I muttered. "But I can't just leave two won in a potentially dangerous situation."
"Your hero complex will get you killed one day," he said, shaking his head.
The elevator doors opened to reveal a corridor lined with plush red carpet and gold-frad artwork. Music thumped from behind closed doors as we made our way toward Room 888.
"Sounds like quite the party," Eamon observed as we approached.
I didn't bother knocking. I pushed open the door to a scene of complete chaos.
The Emperor's Suite was enormous—easily three tis the size of a regular KTV room. Champagne bottles littered the tables, so half-empty, others smashed on the floor. A massive screen played music videos while strobe lights flashed overhead. In the center of the room, several young n were dancing, their expensive clothes and watches glinting under the lights.
I spotted Violet imdiately. She was sprawled across a leather couch, giggling as a young man with dyed yellow hair whispered in her ear. Her makeup was smudged, her dress hiking up her thighs as she shifted position.
Selina sat nearby, nursing a drink and looking deeply uncomfortable. Relief flooded her face when she saw .
"Liam! Thank god," she called out, hurrying to my side.
Yellow Hair looked up, his eyes narrowing. "Who the hell invited these guys?"
I ignored him, focusing on Selina. "Are you okay?"
She nodded quickly. "I'm fine, but Violet's totally gone."
I walked over to Violet, who was trying to focus her glazed eyes on .
"Liam?" she slurred, then laughed. "What are you doing here? Co to join the fun?"
"We're leaving," I said firmly, reaching for her arm.
She yanked it away. "No way! I'm having too much fun with my new friends."
Yellow Hair smirked, slinging an arm around her shoulders. "You heard the lady. She's staying."
I assessed him quickly: early twenties, designer clothes, the kind of entitled rich kid I'd encountered too many tis. Behind him, another young man with electric blue hair watched our exchange with amusent.
"Violet," I tried again, keeping my voice level, "you're drunk. It's ti to go ho."
She stood up suddenly, swaying dangerously. "You're not my brother-in-law anymore! You're nothing to now that you divorced my sister!" Her words were slurred but sharp enough to cut.
I felt the room's attention shift to us, everyone now watching this uncomfortable family drama unfold.
"Your sister cheated on and your family treated like dirt for three years," I replied evenly. "But that's not why I'm here. Selina called because she was worried about you."
Violet sneered. "Worried? Please. We're just having fun." She stumbled, and Yellow Hair caught her, his hands lingering on her waist.
I glanced at Eamon, who gave a look that clearly said, "I told you so."
"Fine," I said, turning to leave. "Enjoy your night."
Selina grabbed my arm, panic in her eyes. "You can't leave us here!"
"She doesn't want help," I pointed out.
"But I do," Selina whispered desperately. "I can't leave without her, and I'm scared of these guys. Please, just stay a little while? Until I can convince her to leave?"
I studied her face and saw genuine fear there. With a reluctant nod, I moved to a table in the corner, Eamon following with a resigned expression.
"This is a mistake," he muttered as we sat down.
"Probably," I agreed, keeping my eyes on Violet.
Yellow Hair had noticed our decision to stay and was clearly unhappy. I watched him whisper sothing to Blue Hair, who nodded and approached our table with two bottles of expensive whiskey.
"Since you're joining us," Blue Hair said with a forced smile, "you should at least drink with us."
"We're fine," I replied.
His smile faltered. "That's not how it works here. Everyone drinks."
I watched as Yellow Hair poured another glass for Violet, who was already swaying dangerously. When I stood up to intervene, Blue Hair blocked my path.
"You've got two choices," he said, voice low and threatening. "Either join the party properly, or get out. You're killing the vibe."
I looked past him to see Yellow Hair's hand sliding up Violet's thigh as she giggled drunkenly, too intoxicated to properly object.
"Fine," I said abruptly. "You want to drink? Let's make it interesting."
Blue Hair raised an eyebrow. "What did you have in mind?" Chapter provided via *.
"A contest," I replied, eyes fixed on his. "Between you and . If you can outdrink , I'll leave without Violet. If I win, both girls co with us—no argunts."
He snickered, glancing back at his friends. "You want to challenge ? Do you even know who I am?"
"Don't care," I said flatly.
His face darkened at my dismissal. "I'm Ryan Chen. My father owns half the nightclubs in this city."
"That explains why you're such an outstanding drinker," I said sarcastically. "Are you accepting the challenge or not?"
Ryan's nostrils flared. "Fine. But with one condition—you have to match drink for drink."
I nodded. "And one condition from : you have to drink everything I drink."
By now, everyone in the room was watching our exchange. Even Violet had perked up, her glazed eyes trying to focus on the brewing confrontation.
Ryan smiled confidently, running a hand through his blue hair. "If I can't outdrink you, I'll crawl on the floor and bark like a dog!"
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