Return Of The Heiress For Revenge - Chapter 493

Chapter 493: Truth Or Drink
“I never knew you were joining, or I would’ve chosen a better place,” Max said with a surprised glance as Alric entered the private room, dressed sharply like he had come straight from an important meeting. His face looked exhausted until his eyes fell on Nora and he smiled sweetly, like a man in love.

He forced himself to give a calm nod before sliding into the seat beside Nora, one arm draping along the back of her chair like it was the most natural thing in the world. Nora leaned in with a knowing smirk that said he didn’t need an invitation—he always found her.

Max blinked once, then shook his head, amused but also oddly irritated. It wasn’t that he disliked Alric. But seeing Nora’s subtle happiness, the comfort in her gestures, that easy familiarity—it poked at something he hadn’t expected to feel. Something… unpleasant. Something he had never shared with Lisa.

He glanced across the table, almost instinctively, and found Natalie stirring her drink, looking like she was in a room full of people but entirely alone. That expression on her face looked blank and lost.

Maybe the alcohol would help with that. There was a strange awkwardness on the table. Alric only stares at Nora once in a while ignoring others or just giving a cold not if required.

Nora was the only one binding all of them. Speaking to Alric about his work, sharing jokes about Max’s work. Making sure, Natalie did not drink but ate well and let Emma loose in front of Alric.

It was only when they had enough drinks that Emma felt braver. she slapped her hands together with a grin.

“Alright, since we all do not have a common topic of conversation like friends, It’s game time.” She reached for the shot glasses and lined them up like a bartender who meant business. “Truth or drink. You know the rules. You either answer the question truthfully, or you take a shot.”

“Oh, no,” Nora muttered, already grinning. “You remember what happened last time we did this in the school!”

“Yes,” Emma said sweetly. “And I’ve come prepared. No running from your past sins.”

“You drank in your school.” Alrc raised a brow but Nora shrugged him off with a peck on his cheeks.

Max was speechless as to how Alric even forgot to question her anymore. Completely lovesick! The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Then Max leaned forward, eyes sparkling with mischief and just a little vengeance.

“Nora,” he said, his voice smooth, “what’s one thing you don’t like about Alric?”

Nora blinked, surprised, then glanced at Alric. He arched a brow, curious.

Nora looked thoughtful, tapped her finger against her chin, and then said with a dramatic sigh, “He never lets me start an argument. Not even once. He always accepts whatever I say, even if it is morning right now.”

Alric smirked. “Because you have always been right.”

“…..” was that a complaint of display of affection? Everyone glared at Max who was dumbfounded himself.

She rolled her eyes and downed a sip of her wine anyway. “See?”

Then it was Emma’s turn. She grinned at Max, the way a cat grins at a mouse. “Max. Do you really love Lisa?”

The room went quiet. Natalie didn’t move, her hand still over her juice glass, not even pretending to sip.

Max stared at Emma for a long second… then picked up the shot glass and drank.

No one said anything, but the silence spoke louder than any words could.

“Alright,” Nora said casually, spinning the empty bottle toward herself, then flicking her eyes to Max. “Your turn. What do you really think about Nat?”

Max didn’t even hesitate this time. He grabbed the next shot and downed it without a word. Then coughed Loudly.

Emma let out a low whistle. “Wow. That one burned, huh?”

Nora just raised a brow and looked meaningfully at Natalie, who was now clearly avoiding Max’s gaze.

“Next turn was Natalie.” she stared at them uneasily. But before anyone could even ask her anything, Max picked up her glass and drank it.

“She can not drink.” he announced as if he had the right to drink on her behalf. Nora shook her head and Emma giggled.

The game continued with more laughter, more dodged questions, and increasingly bold ones—until Max had taken more shots than the rest combined. By the time dessert arrived, he was leaning back in his chair, loosened up in a way none of them had seen him before.

His tie was undone, his shirt collar open, and he was smiling in that way people smile when they’ve had a bit too much of what they’re not ready to admit.

“You okay there, Captain Secret?” Emma asked, nudging him playfully.

“I’m great,” Max replied, tipping his glass in her direction. “I just don’t like… talking.”

“I think he needed to go home,” Nora mumbled into her drink.

Max’s eyes lazily drifted across the table again, this time openly watching Natalie. She wasn’t looking back. She hadn’t looked at him properly all night.

And yet, he couldn’t stop.

Maybe tomorrow he’d regret the drinks.

But right now, he only regretted the silence.

The night air was cool and quiet as Emma parked in front of the house. The engine clicked as it cooled, and Max leaned heavily against the car door, eyes glassy but full of something unreadable.

Natalie stepped out first, glancing toward him as he swayed slightly, catching himself on the frame. She moved quickly to his side before he could stumble.

“Come on,” she said softly, slipping her arm under his. “Let’s get you inside.”

Max didn’t speak, just hummed something low and vague as she guided him to the front door. He was heavier than he looked when drunk, but she managed—somehow—her heart pounding just a little from the closeness, from the weight of his body against hers, even if he wasn’t really aware of it.

Emma’s phone rang the moment they reached the porch. She checked the screen and grimaced. “i need to leave.”