We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 191

We Want Mommy, Not You, Daddy!

Chapter 191

Ridley’s POV

My expression darkened as I watched the scene unfold. The reason I’d declined alcohol tonight wasn’t mere preference–my doctor had explicitly warned that alcohol would exacerbate my condition. Yet these entitled pricks, too intimidated to pressure me, had decided to

target a woman instead.

And Cedar… why was she sitting so far away? If she’d just stayed

beside me, none of this would have happened.

I rose from my seat and made my way toward her, weaving through

the others with purposeful strides.

“Miss Wright!” Gordon’s voice boomed as he approached her table. He

was a college friend of ours. “Emma considers you practically a sister,

which makes you our honorary sister too!” He extended a flute of

Dom Pérignon toward her, downing his own in one practiced motion.

Cedar accepted the champagne with visible reluctance. Even from

several feet away, I could tell she’d reached her limit. Her fingers

gripped the crystal stem unsteadily, and a flush had spread across her cheekbones. If she drank any more, she’d be sick.

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Chapter 191

Yet in her inebriated state, Cedar was already raising the glass to her

lips.

I reached them just in time, extending my hand to intercept.

“I’ll take this one for her,” I announced, my voice cutting through the

ambient chatter like ice through water.

Cedar looked up, her gaze meeting mine. Her eyes were glassy,

unfocused—a far cry from their usual sharp intelligence. Something

protective stirred within me.

I shot Gordon a glacial stare that sobered him instantly. He knew

better than to challenge me.

“Oh-” Gordon stammered, nervously adjusting his tie. “Ms. Wright

does seem to have reached her limit. Perhaps we should skip this

round!” He hastily retrieved the champagne flute from Cedar’s grasp,

drained it himself, and retreated with a forced laugh.

Cedar blinked slowly, confusion evident on her flushed face. The

alcohol had clearly compromised her typically quick mind. Her hand

remained suspended in mid–air for a moment before she redirected it

to her water glass, taking a small sip.

I claimed the seat beside her, my knee nearly brushing against the

Chapter 191

beige fabric of her pants.

“If you can’t handle alcohol, you shouldn’t drink,” I said, more gently

than I’d intended.

“I can…” she protested, her words slightly slurred. “In college, I

could… drink a whole bottle of beer in one go.”

I couldn’t help but feel amused. Beer compared to vintage

champagne? The woman had no idea.

With one sweep of my hand, I moved all the remaining alcohol away from her reach and poured her a fresh glass of sparkling water, sliding

it toward her.

Cedar was swaying slightly in her seat, her inhibitions clearly dissolved by the champagne. “Mr. Sterling,” she murmured, “you look really handsome in that costume… you’re quite something…”

Before I could respond, she pitched forward, falling directly against my chest. The subtle scent of her perfume–something light and

floral–momentarily distracted me from the situation.

I steadied her with a firm grip on her shoulders. “Are you feeling unwell?” I asked, lowering my voice to ensure only she could hear me.

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Chapter 191

Ethan’s POV

I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing. Ridley’s voice had lost its

characteristic edge, and if I wasn’t mistaken, there was a trace of…

tenderness?

“Ethan,” Emma whispered beside me, her hand covering her mouth in

astonishment. “Is Ridley actually being gentle with Cedar?”

I’d suspected something was brewing. It seemed Ridley was finally

emerging from the shadow that had haunted him for the past decade.

I turned to find several of the others still gawking at the scene-

Ridley, notorious for keeping all women at arm’s length, was showing

unmistakable concern for Cedar Wright. I beckoned them closer with

a discrete gesture, and they immediately huddled around me.

“Gentlemen, instructions?” Gordon asked, straightening his cuffs.

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