Chapter 2The True Heir Returns: Nights of Passion

My spectacular meltdown became the talk of the party. Humiliated, I went out drinking. My best friend, Ryan, watched me with an amused smirk.

"This isn't like you, Alex," he said. "So some kid from the sticks shows up? Even if he is the real Ashford heir, so what?"

He had a point. The Ashfords had invested eighteen years in raising me. They didn't love me, not really, but they wouldn't waste that investment easily. Not until they were sure Ethan could bring them tangible benefits. They wouldn't kick me out just yet.

I downed my drink, the alcohol burning my throat, staining my lips red. Ryan watched me, his gaze lingering on my mouth for a fraction too long.

Suddenly, a drunk guy stumbled towards me, grabbing my chin. "Well, look what we have here," he slurred. "Pretty thing like you should have a drink with me." His fingers moved towards my lips. I frowned, annoyed.

"Get lost if you don't want trouble."

He scoffed. "Do you know who I am? Don't be stuck up. I tell you to drink, you drink."

I almost laughed. The moment my fake identity was exposed, every nobody thought they could take a shot at me, humiliate the fallen prince.

I tilted my head, a small, dangerous smile playing on my lips. "Have a drink, you say?"

Expressionless, I picked up his glass and moved to smash it over his head. But a hand intercepted mine. The glass shattered, shards embedding themselves in a forearm covered by a white shirt sleeve.

Ethan. He calmly picked out the glass, dabbing at the blood with a napkin, his eyes catching the dim bar lights. "Mother asked me to bring you home," he said, his voice even.

Everyone stared. Amidst the bar's usual chaos, he looked so clean-cut, almost vulnerable, like a rabbit thrown to wolves.

The drunk guy, emboldened by alcohol and maybe Ethan’s looks, grabbed Ethan’s arm, then reached for me again. "How much to have both of you for the night?"

Caught off guard, I stumbled forward, right towards the scattered shards of broken glass on the floor. My face—