She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 835

"Why haven't you gone home yet?"

Daphne pulled out a barstool and sat down next to Everett. The sharp scent of alcohol rolling off him was far heavier than it had been when he first stepped up to defend her. It was obvious that after Melanie and Preston left, Everett had been throwing drinks back at a dangerous pace.

"What are you doing? Mooching off my booze?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Daphne winced, practically wanting to slap herself. She had a terrible habit of putting her foot in her mouth. She had genuinely wanted to check on him, but her phrasing always came out abrasive. It was no wonder he was ignoring her.

"Right, earlier... thank you!"

Hearing her sudden gratitude, Everett turned his head, still clutching a beer bottle. His glassy, intoxicated eyes reflected Daphne's tentative smile.

"...For what?"

"For shielding me from Gavin, of course! You have no idea, that was the first time a man has ever stood in front of me to protect me!"

Despite the sincerity in her voice, Everett's reaction remained entirely indifferent. Perhaps the sheer volume of alcohol had slowed his cognitive functions. He sat in silence for a long moment before finally mumbling a reply.

"It was nothing. Don't mention it."

The conversation flatlined. Everett went back to drinking, acting as if Daphne didn't even exist. She pouted in frustration.

"Stop drinking... Does drowning your sorrows actually fix anything?"

Without waiting for an answer, she reached over and snatched the bottle right out of his hand. Everett whipped his head around, finally looking at her straight on.

However, he was so wasted that Daphne's features blurred together in his vision.

"Leave me alone," he grumbled.

"How can I leave you alone? If you drink yourself to death in my club, I'm the one liable!" Daphne rolled her eyes, thoroughly exasperated. "You're a grown man. So what if you're heartbroken? Is it really worth destroying yourself over?"

The word 'heartbroken' sliced through Everett's alcohol-fogged brain like a jagged knife, making his temples throb.

"Who said I'm heartbroken? Who said I..."

Suddenly, Everett shot to his feet. Moving like a madman, he grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her violently.

"Tell me how I'm worse than Preston! Huh? Tell me! Where do I fall short?!"

The aggressive shaking made the room spin. Daphne had drank quite a bit herself tonight, and the sudden motion made nausea surge up her throat.

"Stop shaking me..."

"How am I worse than him?!"

"Let go..."

"Tell me how I'm worse!"

"You're better than him!" Daphne finally screamed, the sheer volume of her voice stunning him into stillness.