Chapter: 176

"Mr. Lowe, that's very kind of you. Tonight, I'm just here to learn. Mr. Hewitt thought it'd be a good experience for me," she said, skillfully steering the conversation towards Alan, to draw his protective instincts as her boss.

"Mr. Lowe, our last project together went smoothly. I'm looking forward to more ventures like that," Alan said in a measured tone.

"Certainly, there will be more," Felix answered, his smile hinting at other intentions, slightly irked yet perking up as Ashley made goo-goo eyes at him.

"I need to see to some other guests now. We'll catch up later."

Felix excused himself.

“Of course, take your time," Alan responded.

As Felix departed, Ashley breathed a quiet sigh of relief, not unnoticed by Alan.

"You seemed tense, what's wrong?" he inquired.

Ashley fought back tears, her voice shaky. "I... It's nothing. Really."

But her denial only deepened Alan's suspicions.

"Did he do something to you?" he asked.

"He didn't touch me, but his stares... they were just so unsettling. I actually didn't want to come tonight," Ashley confessed.

Alan's expression hardened. "From now on, avoid any projects involving the Lowe Group. You should head home."

Ashley nodded. “Thank you, Alan, for your support just now."

She then picked up two glasses of wine from a nearby table and offered one to Alan.

“Alan, I've been thinking about what you mentioned before. You were right; dwelling on the past isn't the way to live. Let's move forward, shall we? Let's make this drink a toast to our future happiness. What do you say?" Ashley offered with a gentle smile.

Alan accepted the glass and tapped it against hers, then quickly emptied his champagne in one swift swallow.

Ashley sipped half of hers, her eyes gleaming with a hint of triumph.

Despite knowing the drug Miguel provided was potent, she had used the full dose, confident it would take effect.

Tonight, she believed, Alan would finally be hers, regardless of his usual self-control.

Soon, Alan sensed something amiss. A peculiar warmth spread through his abdomen, muddling his thoughts.

His brow furrowed as he grasped that something was wrong.

"I feel a bit dizzy..." he stammered.

Ashley, accentuating her figure in a snug dress, brought over a bottle of water. "Alan, maybe it's the alcohol. Drink some water."