Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 813

The next evening, Carson threw a party and everyone gathered at the Midnight Bar.

Estelle and Jonathan showed up early, joining Carson's girlfriend and others for a game of cards.

Charlie, Andrew, and others arrived one after another, and Jonathan graciously gave up his seat, fully focused on providing guidance and strategic advice to Estelle.

Charlie didn't join the crowd, answering a call and then sitting on the couch texting. Looked like some work stuff.

Jane brought a friend, Waters, a real looker. Word was she was from out of town, here to take over her family's branch company in J City.

Estelle noticed Waters eyeing Charlie like a hawk, her gaze filled with curiosity, like a predator eyeing its prey.

As Charlie put down his phone to get a cigarette from the coffee table, Waters approached, plopped down on the couch, and held out her hand. "I'm Waters, Jane's good friend. I just moved to J City. We'll be doing business with Mr. James soon. Just thought I'd introduce myself early. Hope Mr. James can show me the ropes!"

Charlie glanced at her hand, "Business is business, friends are friends. No talking shop while we're hanging out."

"Fair enough!" Waters, unfazed, withdrew her hand, grinning. "Leaving business aside, I'd rather be friends with Mr. James. Everyone here calls you Charlie. Can I call you that too?"

Charlie nodded absentmindedly, "Whatever floats your boat."

"Thanks, Charlie!" Waters, with her stunning looks and immaculate makeup, lit up when she smiled.

Estelle kept stealing glances at Charlie. Jonathan playfully tapped her head and chuckled, "Your boyfriend's here, who are you ogling at?"

Estelle whispered, "Did Charlie get a girlfriend recently?"

"Not that I know of," Jonathan drawled.

The man wasn't particularly good-looking, but was well-built, with an undeniable air of hard-edged masculinity that demanded attention.

Yvonne introduced him with a smile, "This is my cousin, Zack."

She deliberately looked at Jonathan, "I've mentioned to you before, my cousin enlisted thirteen years ago, and now he's a high-ranking commander in the Delta maintenance unit. He's just returned to J City."

Zack reached out to shake Jonathan's hand, "I've heard a lot about you from Yvonne, glad to finally meet you. But I've heard of you long before that."

Zack's hand was rough, with calloused palms, a clear sign of a man who was used to handling guns.

Jonathan shook his hand, his face impassive, "Nice to meet you."

Zack withdrew his hand, scanning the crowd. When his eyes landed on Estelle, his pupils contracted slightly, a flicker of surprise and wariness in his eyes.