"Putting duty above family, keeping public and private separate—that's the kind of awareness we should all learn from."
"And Scarlett's so down-to-earth. Now that's real friendship!"
Every compliment landed like a slap.
Colin's lips curled with barely concealed satisfaction, though he played modest.
"No, no—just doing my job." He glanced at me. "And I should thank my wife. She had some... emotions at the time, wasn't entirely understanding, but in the end, she supported my work."
He poured a full glass of baijiu and held it out to me, eyes sharp with warning.
"Since you're here, lose the long face. Learn from Scarlett—be more generous." He pushed the glass closer. "Come on, honey. Toast her."
The sharp smell of alcohol turned my stomach.
When I didn't move, Scarlett laughed loudly.
"Oh, Colin, don't force her. She obviously hates me—thinks I stole her seat and cost her the chance to see her dad one last time." She turned to me with mock sympathy. "But Mrs. Matthews, be reasonable. Your dad's illness was a burden anyway. What difference does it make if he went a little earlier or later?"
She leaned in, eyes glittering.