Divorce Him, Then Dazzle novel Chapter 185

"Cammie!" Catheleen rushed to stop her. "You can't drink like that! This stuff will sneak up on you. You'll feel awful the moment you step outside!"

"It's fine," Camilla said, savoring the taste. "It's sweet."

"It's mixed with soda, but it's still alcohol," Paulina said. "Don't drink so fast. I still have something to tell you both."

By now, the suite was buzzing with activity. Two large floor-to-ceiling windows faced Cabinda's iconic skyline and offered a view of the sea. There were rumors of a New Year's fireworks display over the water tonight, which they could watch from here without having to go outside.

People were shouting and laughing, creating a lively cacophony.

Paulina said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hide this from you…"

Catheleen asked, "Have you always been like this? And how does that Jeanette person know you?"

Paulina explained, "I started wearing women's clothes when I was eighteen, in college. I feel that aside from my physical anatomy, there's no difference between me and you."

Camilla and Catheleen exchanged a look.

Paulina continued, "Jeanette and I are distantly related. But her family is well-off, and I'm from an ordinary family, so she's always looked down on me."

"Well, we look down on her!" Catheleen declared. "Don't pay any attention to her. She acts like she's some kind of swan, and I don't know what she has to be so arrogant about."

While she was talking, Camilla downed another glass.

"I'll have a drink with Cammie," Paulina said, raising his glass. "I already had one with Catheleen as my apology. If you can accept me like this, we can still be friends. If you can't…"

"We can accept you," Camilla said, clinking her glass against his. "Catheleen is right. It doesn't matter if you're a man or a woman, you're our friend. Paulina, it's nice to properly meet you!"

The crystal-clear sound of glass meeting glass rang out, and the two of them smiled at each other.

Catheleen raised her glass too. "Let's all drink together!"

"Together!"

The three of them began drinking without restraint.

By the time Lambert returned from his phone call, the bottle of liquor in front of them was more than half empty and nearing the bottom.

He had stepped out to take a call and had seen Camilla from a distance. He couldn't hear what she was saying, but he saw her raise a hand and quickly wipe at her eye.

In that instant, Lambert felt a pang in his chest. He hated this situation.

He was so far from her, unable to know what was wrong or even offer a word of concern. It was even more impossible for him to pull her into his arms, to comfort and protect her.

Not only was it impossible, but she was actively pulling away, desperate to draw a clear line between them. From the moment he had walked into this suite, her gaze had not landed on him once.

This kind of disappointment and loss was an emotion he had never experienced before. Yet, even so, he was still filled with the hope that her eyes would fall on him.

If it had been anyone else, she might not have been so sensitive. But with Lambert… She was visibly uncomfortable.

She put down her glass and said, "Paulina, Catheleen, I'm going to the restroom."

She only breathed a sigh of relief once she was out of the suite.

She went to the restroom, and as she was washing her hands, she overheard several girls chatting nearby. One of them was Jeanette.

"Jeanette, now that you're back, your family will probably arrange an engagement for you soon, right?"

"Yeah, and what about you and Lambert… It's pretty much a sure thing, isn't it?"

"Oh my god, I saw Lambert for the first time tonight, he's so handsome! And his physique is incredible! Jeanette, you're so lucky!"

Jeanette laughed softly. "Don't tease me. Nothing's set in stone yet."

"Is there even any doubt? In terms of family background, looks, or education, who can compare to you as a match for Lambert?"

"Exactly, Jeanette, don't be so modest. I heard that as soon as you got back, Pandora asked you to go shopping?"

"Pandora? Lambert's mother? Oh my god! She asked you to go shopping? Then you two must be getting serious."

Jeanette said, "She just asked me to go shopping with her, that's all. You shouldn't read too much into it."