Love Unspoken

Alexander sat in silence, his expression unchanging as he shot a brief glance in her direction. Despite the lack of visible emotion, Quinn could sense a chilling aura emanating from him, laced with an implicit warning. Quinn responded by pursing her lips and subtly shifting her gaze away.

"Alexander, she looks like a student. Are you certain she's of age?" someone quipped, attempting to lighten the mood. "Alexander certainly knows how to throw a party."

Alexander coolly responded, "And how, pray tell, do you know she's a student?"

Caught off guard, the man stammered, "Is she truly a student?"

Alexander's laugh echoed through the room, devoid of any genuine warmth. "Given everyone's capacity for alcohol here, I'd wager we could all drink until dawn without any repercussions."

The man continued, "Haha, I'm not as young as I used to be. I need to take care of my health. It's best not to drink too heavily, even with a high tolerance. After all, this is a social gathering, not a drinking contest." His tone shifted subtly, "But, you know, it's rare that we get to let loose like this. Without some novelty, the drinks lose their appeal."

"An interesting point, but..." Alexander turned to Galen, "If you're going to invite my assistant, why bring such a decorative piece? Are you hoping to see me lose?"

Galen raised an eyebrow, replying with an air of calm, "My apologies, Alexander. I wasn't aware that your office employed any other female assistants besides Quinn."

"But let's not judge a book by its cover. Quinn may appear fragile, but as Alexander's assistant, she must have her strengths. She might not necessarily lose." "Isn't that right, Quinn?"

Quinn tensed at the sudden attention. She had never drunk before, let alone in such a setting. She was certain she would lose if she participated. Struggling to find the right words, Quinn remained silent. All eyes in the room, including her own, turned to Alexander.

Alexander lit a cigarette and leaned back nonchalantly, "Does it really matter if we lose or win?"

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The man who had spoken earlier interjected, "If we win, the terms of our partnership must change. We should receive at least an additional five percent, correct?" Alexander smiled, "Then why continue the partnership at all?"

The man's expression shifted subtly, "Are you suggesting, Alexander, that you're no longer interested in working with us?"

Alexander retorted, "Shouldn't I be the one asking you that? Since when is a business agreement determined by the outcome of a drinking game? If I win, are you going to work with me for no profit?" The man was taken aback, "Well, the point of a partnership is to make money; it's just a matter of how much. If you're implying you won't make a dime, then there's no point to the partnership." "Alexander," another chimed in, "even if you relinquish five percent, you'd still make a profit, wouldn't you?"

Alexander responded casually, "But you see, I'm rather greedy. I'm not willing to give up even a single point."

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Alexander continued, "I'm curious to know who came up with this rule and who agreed to it. Was it you, Alexander?"

The accusation was directed squarely at Galen, whose expression wavered slightly.

After a moment of contemplation, Galen replied, "You're accusing me unfairly, Alexander. I'm new here; how could I possibly establish such norms with these esteemed gentlemen?"

The man seated at the far left finally spoke up, his gaze darting between Alexander and Quinn, "I suspect Alexander's just concerned, perhaps a bit too attached to his assistant to drink." "Oh? Now that you mention it, I've noticed too," another added. "Before she arrived, Alexander, you were drinking with us freely, but now you've quickly turned hostile."

"Could it be that even heroes have a soft spot for a beautiful woman?"

Alexander listened to their jests in silence, offering no retort. His demeanor remained calm, as if the conversation held no relevance to him.