Chapter 280: Grant's Voice Was Clipped

Grant's voice was clipped. "Address."

"Same place as always."

"Twenty minutes."

* * *

The nightclub pulsed with neon lights and deafening music.

Grant pushed open the VIP room door, shutting out the chaos behind him.

"Well, well. Look who finally showed up." Julian smirked, his arm draped around a heavily made-up woman. He jerked his chin toward the entrance.

Grant strode straight to the corner sofa without glancing at them.

Julian nudged the woman forward. She swayed her hips suggestively toward Grant.

"Get lost." Grant caught her wrist mid-reach, his grip bruising.

The woman froze, casting a pleading look at Julian.

"Not your type?" Julian raised an eyebrow. "Want me to call someone else?"

Grant poured himself a whiskey. "Not interested."

"Tsk—" Julian drew out the sound. "Even when Clara was around, you weren't this boring. What's wrong? Did Paige put you on a leash?"

Ice cubes clinked against glass.

Grant downed the drink in one swallow.

Julian beckoned the woman back. She giggled and melted into his arms.

"Who pissed off our dear Grant tonight?" Julian pinched the woman's chin. "Come on, lighten up."

"...Shut up."

"Smile for me?"

Grant's lips curled into a cold smirk. "You wish."

Julian burst out laughing, leaning in conspiratorially. "Heard you're gonna be a dad. Bit sudden for me to become an uncle, don't you think—"

Grant's gaze turned lethal. "Looking to die?"

Julian immediately mimed zipping his mouth shut.

Mason rolled his eyes. "Could you be more obvious?"

"Was I?" Julian feigned innocence.

Mason deadpanned. "Seriously?"

"Fine, fine." Julian shrugged. "My bad, Grant."

Mason reached for the whiskey bottle. "Ignore him. Let's drink—"

Grant suddenly covered his glass.

"?"

"One's enough."

Mason blinked. "...Since when?"

"Was I some heavy drinker before?"

"Hell yeah!"

Memories surfaced—Clara waiting by the foyer every time he stumbled home drunk. Scowling, scolding him, yet still brewing hangover soup.

Now no one would wait up no matter how much he drank.

"Your eyes look..."

"Strong whiskey." Grant turned away.

Mason took a confused sip. Tasted smooth to him.

Julian gave a knowing smile and pinched the woman's waist.

"Naughty!" She giggled. "Let me feed you, Julian~"

"Use this." He tapped her crimson lips.

The room filled with suggestive laughter.

Grant yanked at his loosened tie.

Even Mason averted his eyes uncomfortably.

A phone rang abruptly.

"Hello? Clara—"