Martin Riley helped Hazel Morgan onto the couch. Just as he was about to stand up, Hazel grabbed the hem of his suit jacket.
"My head is spinning, Martin. Can you stay with me, please?"
Martin frowned with impatience. "You've had too much to drink. I'll get someone to take you home."
Ever since the incident with Sylvia Byrne, he had developed a bit of an aversion to drunk women.
He instinctively pulled his jacket free from Hazel's grip and looked down at her, his gaze probing. He remembered Hazel could usually hold her liquor well and shouldn't be drunk so quickly.
"I want some water."
Feeling guilty under Martin's scrutiny, Hazel placed a hand on her forehead, her eyes half-closed, mumbling softly, avoiding Martin's eyes.
Martin stood there for a moment before going to find a waiter. Hazel watched his retreating figure, inexplicably relieved, though her expression was somewhat bitter.
Some things couldn't be rushed; they had to be taken slowly.
Hazel composed herself and, catching a glimpse of Martin returning, quickly changed into what she thought was a more alluring pose, closing her eyes tightly, waiting for him to return.But after waiting for what felt like forever, he didn't come back. Hazel peeked through her eyelids and saw a scene that made her want to scream.
Sylvia Byrne had intercepted Martin, and they were standing together, with a hint of a smile on Martin's face.
Crystal Foster swapped the yogurt in her hand with the warm water Martin was holding. She smiled up at him, "Drinking some yogurt can help sober her up. I'll come with you to take care of Hazel. This is a public place, after all, and Hazel is your business partner. If someone tries to stir up trouble, it wouldn't be good for her."
Seeing Martin hesitate, Crystal decisively led him back to Hazel. She gently placed a hand on Hazel's arm and spoke softly, "Hazel? Hazel, wake up. I brought you some yogurt to help with the alcohol."
Hazel Morgan slowly opened her eyes, glaring at Sylvia Byrne, who was smiling at her. Her anger made her clench her fists, and she felt even dizzier.
Crystal Foster noticed Hazel's reaction, raising an eyebrow slightly, and sat beside her, placing a cup in front of her.
"Hazel, if you're not feeling well, maybe you should have someone take you home to rest," Crystal suggested gently.
Though Hazel knew Crystal was being deliberately considerate, she had no outlet for her frustration. She took the cup and sipped the yogurt slowly.
Something felt off. Sylvia seemed like a different person, speaking and acting flawlessly, without a single mistake.Her emotions were well-hidden. In the past, if she saw Hazel with Martin Riley, she would have thrown a fit. What was going on?
Could Sylvia have gotten smarter?
Hazel was filled with questions. She couldn't figure Sylvia out. After the incident with Otto, Martin had already started to doubt her, so she needed to be careful.
After finishing her yogurt and resting for a bit, Hazel stood up slowly, pressing her hand to her temple, and reached out to Martin. "My head still hurts a bit, Martin. Could you help me?"
Crystal quickly stepped in to support Hazel, her eyes smiling. "Let me help. There are too many reporters here tonight. They love taking photos from every angle, which could cause trouble later."
Martin withdrew his hand after Crystal's comment, glancing at her. He found her unexpectedly wise at that moment.
Maybe Sylvia really had changed.
Hazel was so frustrated by Crystal that she nearly exploded, but she had to maintain her composure in front of Martin. Her body trembled with anger, and her face turned pale.
Crystal was amused by Hazel's expression, trying hard not to laugh, fearing Martin would notice.
"Sylvia, could you please take me to the restroom?" Hazel seized the opportunity, determined not to let Sylvia interrupt her plan.
"Of course, Martin. I'll go with Hazel and be right back,"Crystal Foster said, giving Martin Riley's arm a reassuring pat before helping Hazel Morgan to the restroom.
Once inside a stall, Hazel took out her phone, typed a quick message, and sent it. After receiving a reply, she deleted the text.
When they returned, Martin Riley was nowhere to be seen.
"He must have been pulled away by those executives for a chat. You sit tight, I'll go say hi to a friend," Hazel said, subtly slipping her arm from Crystal's grasp.
But Crystal caught her wrist, "Hazel, you sobered up pretty fast, huh?"
Her tone was pointed. Hazel seemed too eager, underestimating Crystal's intelligence by not even trying to hide her intentions.
Hazel paused, sensing Crystal was probing her. No way, she thought. Someone as clueless as Crystal couldn't possibly be that cunning.
"I just washed my face, feeling much clearer now. You sit tight, I'll be right back."
Hazel quickly walked away, while Crystal crossed her arms, watching her retreating figure with a cold gaze. Once there was enough distance between them, she followed.
The venue was large, and Hazel seemed to be intentionally weaving through it. Crystal lost track of her after a short while.
"Henry, where's Martin Riley?" Crystal asked over the phone sounding a bit puzzled.
Henry, who was chatting with some clients, was surprised to get Crystal's call. "Wasn't he with you?" he replied, equally confused.
Since entering the venue, he had been sent by Martin Riley to connect with clients.
"I understand," Crystal Foster said as she hung up the phone. After thinking for a moment, she decided to call Martin.
The phone rang for a long time, and just as she was about to give up, it was finally answered.
But it wasn't Martin; it was Hazel Morgan.
"Sylvia, Martin's drunk. I'm going to help him rest, so don't worry," Hazel said, holding the phone while looking at Martin, who was passed out on the couch, a clear smile on her face.
"Hazel, where are you guys now? I'll come find you," Crystal replied.
"No need. Martin gets drunk often, and I've taken care of him before. If you're tired, just go home and rest. I'll make sure he gets back," Hazel said evasively, deliberately trying to provoke Crystal.
Crystal smirked coldly. "No need to trouble yourself, Hazel. We're the ones who are married. If word got out that my husband needed you to take care of him, it might affect your reputation. After all, most of the people here are your business partners, and it wouldn't look good."
Crystal paused before continuing, "Hazel, I'm quite possessive, and don't like my husband getting too close to other women. You should know that. I've had a couple of drinks myself, and I might not be able to control my temper. So if I say something unpleasant, don't take it to heart, okay?"