Chapter 88

The party venue was exactly the kind of place college students adored. Which made it utterly unsuitable - and frankly juvenile - for established businessmen and wealthy heirs.

Nathaniel surveyed the garish decorations with visible distaste. "Harrison," he scoffed, "since when did you develop such childish tastes? This place reeks of cheap beer and teenage hormones."

Harrison lounged on the stiff private room sofa, swirling his drink. "There's always the exit if you're unhappy."

Dominic shrugged. "We're already here. Might as well make the best of it."

Lucas approached with two crystal tumblers of aged whiskey, handing one to Harrison. Their glasses clinked softly. "Honestly, after endless nights at clubs and cigar bars, this place feels refreshing," Lucas remarked, taking an appreciative sip. "There's something charming about its unpretentiousness."

"You're not wrong," Dominic conceded, joining them.

The three raised their glasses in unison.

"To reliving our carefree student days," Dominic toasted.

Though truth be told, even during their university years, they'd never frequented such modest establishments.

Lucas peered through the glass partition. "That group across the hall looks like they're having the time of their lives. Must be graduation celebrations."

Dominic followed his gaze. "Ah, graduation season. When love blooms and hearts break in equal measure."

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "I thought graduation was notorious for breakups."

Dominic grinned knowingly. "That's only for couples going long-distance. Those staying in the same city? They're practically engagement announcements waiting to happen."

"Confessing at graduation is brilliant strategy," Dominic continued. "If she says yes - jackpot. If not? No awkward encounters since you'll never see each other again."

Lucas smirked. "Spoken like someone with experience. Did you pull this move back in our day?"

Dominic scoffed. "Please. When have I ever needed to chase women?"

Nathaniel's grip tightened imperceptibly around his glass. Graduation confessions. The memory surfaced unbidden - Evelyn this morning at New Capital University, accepting some "meaningful gift" from that boy. They'd looked entirely too comfortable together.

The ice in his whiskey clinked as the temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.

"Those were simpler times," Dominic mused, oblivious to Nathaniel's darkening mood. "No responsibilities, no-"

"Excuse me." Nathaniel set down his untouched drink with deliberate calm.

Dominic blinked at the abrupt movement. "Everything alright?"

"Phone call," Nathaniel clipped out before striding from the room.

The hallway provided little respite from the raucous singing bleeding through thin walls. Through a carelessly left-ajar door, Nathaniel caught sight of Evelyn.

She was leaning dangerously close to some boy, their faces nearly touching as they struggled to hear each other over the noise. Just as Nathaniel's jaw clenched, the door swung shut, cutting off his view.