SWNOVELS Chapter 306: Bad Luck
Tessa's statement left Joy Chaucer utterly bewildered, as if she had just awoken from a dream, unable to distinguish reality from illusion.
Tessa appeared unharmed and in no way seemed like someone who had been drugged. Naturally, she dared not admit anything; acknowledging being drugged would ruin her reputation regardless of her actual doings with any man. If she admitted it, the public would erupt in speculation and gossip.
The internal discord with her sister Sloane would also become a subject of ridicule, and now, due to a series of unfortunate misunderstandings, Joy Chaucer had become a victim, only potentially implicating the Granger family in the scandal. The only way to avoid disaster for the Granger family was if Tessa testified, turning the whole incident into nothing more than a secretive meeting between Quinlan Aubrey and Joy Chaucer.
"It's impossible, absolutely not," Joy Chaucer protested, pointing at Tessa's clothes. "You changed your outfit; you must have been with a man earlier-I heard it myself, your sister Sloane was planning to drug you."
Tessa explained calmly, "I changed because my gown got dirty. I was in room 308, and Mrs. Sterling was with me the whole time; there was no man. Joy Chaucer, stop making up stories. My sister and I are on good terms; nothing like what you suggest ever happened." Tessa's words made Sloane feel guilty and inferior, and she silently lowered her head.
In that moment, Meredith emerged from room 308, her presence alone proving Tessa's honesty. The crowd could clearly see the truth and would not believe Joy Chaucer's accusations. It seemed that Joy Chaucer was just trying to drag the Granger sisters down with her.
"Joy Chaucer, just admit you were meeting with Quinlan Aubrey, but why drag the Granger sisters into your mess?" one bystander commented. "Doing such things at someone's birthday party is shameful enough, and then to lose your mind after being caught is truly disgraceful."
"Miss Chaucer's behavior is really something else," another added.
Now, Joy Chaucer found herself unable to defend her claims, with no evidence to support her story. Her affair with Quinlan Aubrey was now clear as day. Frustrated and embarrassed, she regretted coming to witness the drama, only to become its center. She couldn't fathom where she went wrong, certain she heard Sloane instruct a servant to drug Tessa, yet nothing had happened.
In desperation, Joy Chaucer turned to Quinlan Aubrey, "Tell me, why did you come to this room? Were you looking for Tessa?"
Attempting one last struggle, Joy Chaucer failed to grasp the true nature of the situation. Even if she proved her entry was a mistake, it wouldn't change what had already transpired. Quinlan Aubrey would never admit he was there for Tessa, as doing so would offend both the Granger and Chaucer families.
Quinlan Aubrey, with a rogue smile, wrapped his arm around Joy Chaucer's waist, pacifying her, "Come on, don't be mad. I'll be gentler next time." He obviously couldn't let others believe he had assaulted Joy Chaucer and had actually wanted Tessa Granger, so he pretended the affection was mutual, the only way to salvage his own situation.
Once Quinlan Aubrey spoke, everyone understood the two were indeed a couple. Joy Chaucer was stunned, her emotions running high: "Quinlan Aubrey, what nonsense are you-"
Before she could finish, Quinlan Aubrey silenced her with a kiss, shocking everyone into silence. Was this a live broadcast of a drama? Quinlan Aubrey, notorious for his flirtations, truly lived up to his reputation.
After the kiss, Quinlan Aubrey quickly picked up Joy Chaucer before she could react and addressed Mr. Granger, "Mr. Granger, apologies, but we must be leaving." He swiftly carried Joy Chaucer away, the crowd parting for them instinctively. As Joy Chaucer regained her senses and struggled, Quinlan Aubrey whispered fiercely, "If you want to ruin both of our lives and make a spectacle, go ahead. Do you think I wanted this? I had no idea it was you. Just chalk it up to bad luck today; I certainly am."
Despite his playful reputation, Quinlan Aubrey had never intended to involve Joy Chaucer, a woman known for her ruthless nature-certainly not someone to be trifled with.