FAHRENHEIT Bar.
Ear-piercing music filled the entire space. The strong beat of the drums pounded against everyone's hearts. Colorful lights flashed wildly, reflecting off the crowd twisting on the dance floor.
Lucien Griffin pushed open the door of the private suite on the second floor. The moment the door opened, the deafening noise was instantly sealed out. Lucien took in a deep breath, feeling the relatively fresh air inside the room, slightly easing his tense nerves.
"Lucien, you're here. Sit." Ethan Shaw quickly greeted him. The lighting inside the suite was much softer, illuminating everyone's faces clearly and reflecting the luxurious fabrics they wore. The air was filled with various expensive perfume scents mixed with light alcohol, making people feel slightly intoxicated.
Liam Mu was holding a wine glass while talking to Hendry Shea — heir of SH Group — about today's reforms in the business world. Hearing Ethan's voice, both turned toward the suited Lucien standing by the door.
Lucien lifted his glass, about to take a sip, but unintentionally glanced toward a certain corner downstairs. His originally calm gaze froze instantly, as if time suddenly stopped. The wine glass tilted slightly in his hand, almost spilling. He stared blankly at that direction, as if he was seeing something unbelievable.
Ethan noticed Lucien's strange reaction and followed his gaze.
Eleanor Sullivan was sitting alone at a corner of the bar. She wore a black leather jacket, a fitted tank top underneath, a tight leather skirt and Martin boots that highlighted her long and straight legs. She leaned lazily against the wall, fingers lightly swirling the whiskey in her glass. The clinking of the ice cubes was clear and crisp.
Her cold expression was completely out of place with the feverish environment around her. Her gaze never left the bar entrance, carrying a trace of barely noticeable anxiety. From time to time, she lifted her wrist and looked at the minimalist watch, then glanced at her chat window. The message still stayed at the conversation where Skyler Mu and Luke agreed to meet here tonight.
"Eleanor… why is she here…" Ethan muttered in surprise, looking toward Lucien and Liam.
"Elle?" Liam stood up immediately, ignoring Hendry Shea's confusion. He walked toward the glass to take a closer look.
At this moment, Skyler Mu and Luke happened to enter.
Skyler was wearing a tight body-hugging dress that perfectly outlined her curves, her long legs completely exposed in the air — seductive and alluring. Skyler waved excitedly, shouting, "Elle!" The moment she spotted Eleanor. Luke exchanged a look with Eleanor and then sat down.
"Sky!" The moment Liam realized his sister was here too, he slammed his wine glass heavily onto the table with a dull thud. He immediately headed toward the door.
Ethan was shocked too. He never expected the girl who used to wear thick glasses and was such a quiet good student — Skyler Mu — would grow up like this. His heartbeat uncontrollably paused for a second.
Lucien stood up, "Let's go take a look."
Ethan picked up his glass and followed Lucien.
Inside the suite, the remaining few stared at each other blankly, stunned by the three people who just walked out.
At the bar corner, Skyler was happily hugging Eleanor's arm and looking toward the dance floor. "Elle, shall we go dance?"
Eleanor shook her head lightly in refusal, "You two go. I'm not interested."
"Alright then…" Skyler pouted and stood up.
The harsh music pierced Liam's eardrums like countless needles. He irritably pulled at his collar. "Skyler!"
"Elle, why do I feel like I just heard my brother's voice…" Skyler's hand trembled.
They turned behind them. Liam was glaring at them with cold sharp eyes, walking toward them with large strides.
Skyler froze in place, falling back onto the sofa as her phone dropped to the floor. "I'm doomed…"
Liam reached the table and looked down at her hiding under the table. "Skyler, stop hiding."
"Sigh, Eleanor, we meet again." Ethan raised his glass toward Eleanor and took a sip.
Ethan glanced at Skyler. Their eyes met for a split second before both immediately looked away.
Ethan looked toward Liam, patting his shoulder lightly, "Don't be angry first. Let's go upstairs and talk." His eyes signaled Skyler. The two slowly dragged Liam upstairs.
Lucien looked toward Eleanor and Luke still sitting. He looked directly at Eleanor, "Shall we go up?"
Eleanor didn't say anything more. She was mainly worried about Skyler, so she obediently followed Lucien upstairs. After taking two steps, she glanced back — Luke was still leisurely shaking the red wine glass in his hand, waving toward her.
Inside the suite.
"Skyler! What is this outfit? Does this still look like the eldest daughter of the Mu family?" Liam widened his eyes sharply, his voice urgent. Looking at his sister after seven years, he ultimately still couldn't scold her harshly. He took off his jacket and covered her, voice gentler, "Go home."
Eleanor and Lucien were just about to step inside when they saw this scene. Skyler immediately hid behind Eleanor, "Elle, save me."
"Liam, maybe let it go just this once? Forgive her this time." Eleanor spoke gently, trying to ease Liam's anger. Then she looked at Skyler beside her.
Liam glanced at Eleanor, then at Skyler behind her. The anger in his heart dissipated a lot. He sighed and sat on the sofa, massaging his temples. "Don't ever come to places like this again, understand?"
Skyler nodded rapidly and whispered, "Got it, brother."
Liam raised a brow at Eleanor.
Eleanor simply nodded back lightly.
Ethan immediately smiled, "Alright alright, it's just a small thing, don't take it to heart. It's rare for everyone to gather, let's talk about something fun." He then turned toward Eleanor, "By the way, let me introduce — this is the second young lady of the Sullivan family, Eleanor Sullivan." He then turned toward Lucien with a mischievous grin, "Also our future Mrs. Griffin." The last two words were emphasized deliberately, like he was intentionally saying it for someone specific to hear.
The entire suite burst into laughter immediately.
Lucien walked to the sofa and sat down without reacting to their teasing. Skyler hurriedly pulled Eleanor's hand and enthusiastically introduced, "Elle
, ignore them. Let me introduce you — this is Hendry Shea, heir of SH Group, and this is—"
Eleanor simply nodded politely at everyone. Her calm gaze swept lightly across the room and landed on Lucien. She remembered he mentioned this was a social engagement earlier, and the corner of her lips slightly curved.
After rounds of drinks, the atmosphere gradually relaxed, as if the earlier argument had never happened. Liam watched the scene before him feeling somewhat troubled. His sister was still happily drinking nonstop, without the slightest intention of stopping. Her cheeks were flushed like a tomato.
Liam kept checking his watch frequently — it was already eleven o'clock. At that moment, Eleanor's phone screen lit up — "Mother" flashed on the screen. Eleanor stepped out of the suite to answer, and exchanged a look with Liam on her way out.
"Eleanor, why aren't you back yet?" Patricia Tihanna sounded upset. The background noise from Eleanor's side was loud. "Are you at a bar?"
Eleanor didn't answer, which was a silent acknowledgement.
"You better remember this — you're getting married soon. What proper future daughter-in-law goes to such places? Come back immediately!" Patricia's voice grew louder, and faintly in the background Harold Sullivan could be heard cursing. Eleanor hung up directly.
Eleanor returned to the suite.
"Leaving already?" Liam walked toward her, putting down his glass.
Eleanor nodded, grabbed her jacket beside Skyler and said while walking, "I'll go first."
"Should I send—"
"Liam! Skyler is throwing up!" someone shouted.
"No need, just look after Sky." Eleanor didn't give him a chance to respond and walked out.
Lucien saw this, took his coat, and followed her out.
"Ethan, what's with Lucien…" someone asked.
"Don't worry about him." Ethan looked meaningfully toward the door, a slight smirk tugging the corner of his lips.
Outside the bar.
Away from the chaos of the bar, Eleanor finally felt quiet again. However, finding a ride at night wasn't easy. She stood outside for quite a while and still no car accepted her request.
A black Rolls-Royce stopped in front of her. She recognized the car — the license plate number A1111. With such an arrogant plate, there was no one else it could possibly be.
Louis Yuke respectfully opened the back door and bowed slightly, "Miss Sullivan, please get in."
If it were any other time, Eleanor would have refused. But she looked at her phone screen again. She silently nodded and got into Lucien Griffin's car.
Night had already fallen, and the car was silent. In the back seat, it was as if there was a galaxy separating Lucien Griffin and Eleanor Sullivan. Alcohol slowly fermented within them. The air was filled with faint wine. Outside the window, the lights of the city flashed by rapidly, illuminating their silent faces — bright then dim.