In the night, heavy snow covered the roadside greenery.
A silver-gray sedan stopped outside the bar, and Miles Sterling got out of the car alone, walking into the bar with a somber expression.
The bar was still bustling on the snowy night. As soon as Miles entered, the bar manager ca up and said, "Young Master Sterling, have you been busy lately? It’s been a while since you last ca here."
Miles wasn’t in the mood for small talk and asked directly, "Where are Zachary and the others?"
The manager replied with a grin, "Sa old place. We’ve reserved the room for you all. It’s Zachary’s birthday today, and we’ve got so new girls in the store. We’ll bring so up to have a drink with you later."
Miles remained silent and headed upstairs.
He opened the door to a room at the end of the corridor, and the room was filled with the sll of smoke and alcohol.
A man with a birthday crown on his head imdiately stood up, turned off the loud music, and greeted him with a smile, "Miles, you really gave face. They all said you wouldn’t co."
Another friend stood up, saying, "Bro, it’s been a long ti since you hung out with us."
"Miles is busy with work now. You think he’s as idle as you?"
Zachary shot them a look, saying, "Stop arguing. It’s rare for Miles to co. Let’s keep it down."
Miles sat down on a single sofa with a blank expression, picked up an unopened bottle of liquor from the table, skillfully popped open the cap at the table edge, and drank directly from the bottle.
The guys exchanged looks, seemingly aware of Miles’s bad mood, or perhaps it’s been a long while since they saw him in a good mood.
Zachary pursed his lips and leaned over with a smile, "Miles, I heard there’s a new female model who’s quite popular online recently. I’ll invite her over to have a drink with you."
Saying this, Zachary went out to call the manager from before, and shortly after, a woman in a tight red dress entered the room in high heels.
The manager chuckled and said, "She’s not actually one of our staff. She heard Young Master Sterling was coming and wanted to et you, so I thought I’d introduce her to you. It’s just making friends, having drinks and chatting a bit, shouldn’t be an issue."
All eyes were on this tall, sultry, and attractive model. Zachary quickly nodded, saying, "No problem, no problem, perfect to cheer up our bro. Sit over here."
The woman in the red dress smiled and sat down on the sofa to Miles’s right, giving him a glance.
But Miles simply lit the cigarette in his mouth, not even looking at the woman who sat beside him.
Zachary poured so wine into a glass, asking, "What’s your na?"
The woman smiled and said, "I’m Cynthia Ramsey. You can call Cynthia."
Zachary handed both glasses of wine to Cynthia, then gestured towards Miles with his chin, saying, "Have a drink with our bro."
Cynthia took the wine glass, turned to Miles, and with a smile said, "President Sterling, I was at the auction a few days ago too. I wanted to et you then, but I heard you left right after your speech. It was quite a pity. Didn’t expect to et you here, must be fate, let’s have a drink together."
Miles finished his puff of smoke and lazily raised his eyes to look at Cynthia. He was initially inclined to dismiss Cynthia, tired of these worldly won. But when he looked up at Cynthia, he was taken aback for a mont—she resembled Vanessa Sterling.
At a glance, Cynthia had so of Vanessa’s charm, but on closer inspection, it was clear she wasn’t Vanessa.
"President Sterling?" Cynthia called again as Miles stared at her in a daze, then nudged the wine glass towards him.
Miles didn’t shift his gaze from her face, nor did he take the wine glass from Cynthia’s hand. The tension gradually built to an awkward atmosphere.
Just as Zachary was about to diffuse the situation, Miles suddenly said, "Go wash that makeup off."
Cynthia was montarily perplexed, and everyone else looked confused too.
Zachary, the quickest to understand, tugged at Cynthia saying, "Go on, hurry up."
Cynthia set down her wine glass, picked up her bag, and went to the restroom, quickly removing her heavy makeup.
Without the elaborate makeup, Cynthia’s natural face still looked striking.
Miles realized that the reason he thought Cynthia didn’t resemble Vanessa much upon close inspection was the gaudy makeup.
Vanessa rarely wore makeup, let alone sothing so flamboyant.
After removing her makeup, Cynthia’s appearance stirred more of Miles’s mingled thoughts.
He knew Vanessa was dead, yet he often fantasized that she was still alive.
Cynthia returned to her seat, and Miles averted his gaze, picking up the glass of wine he hadn’t taken before and downing it in one go.
Zachary noticed a slight shift in Miles’s mood and imdiately refilled his emptied glass, saying, "Miles, have you been busy with work? Take this rare chance to relax tonight, have fun, and drink to your heart’s content."
"Miles, how about a song? Want to request one for you?"
Miles lightly shook his head, "You guys sing."
With the music back on, the atmosphere in the private room beca lively again.
Urged by everyone, Cynthia picked up the microphone and sang a few songs.
Having trained in music, her professional level was naturally good.
But Miles’s attention wasn’t on her singing. Under the sway of alcohol, he kept drinking, gazing at the face that bore a resemblance to Vanessa.
Wanting to numb himself with alcohol, convincing himself that this woman in front of him was Vanessa.
Convincing himself, she was still alive...
Cynthia watched as Miles, with a dazed look, leaned back on the sofa, his thoughts clearly elsewhere.
Zachary stopped Cynthia, asking, "Can you drive?"
Cynthia nodded, "My assistant is here. He can drive."
Zachary glanced at Miles, limp on the sofa, and said, "He’s had too much to drink. Find a hotel and take him there to rest."
"Alright."
The words weren’t explicit, but Zachary knew Cynthia could catch his drift.
Zachary could also tell Cynthia was interested in Miles.
In the car, Cynthia’s assistant drove while she and Miles sat in the backseat.
Miles wasn’t drunk to the point of oblivion; he was seemingly avoiding sothing, deliberately choosing not to be clear-headed.
The car was quiet. Cynthia was perceptive enough to know when a man needed silence, so she didn’t annoy him with chatter.
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