Chapter 19 Then Drop My Name! Chapter 19 Then Drop My Name! Violet watched Wayne's brow lift slightly, his lips curling in a faint, almost careless smile. His nonchalance hit her like a freight train, rooting her to the spot. Sean, clueless about their history, assumed she was starstruck like him. He stood, grabbed her wrist, and tugged. "Don't freeze up-sit!" But as he settled back, he caught Wayne's loaded stare and flinched, quickly looking away. Violet snapped out of it. The room's odd glances made her press her lips together, forcing a sheepish smile. "Sorry... just shocked to see Mr. Braxton." Wayne's long fingers tapped the table, intrigued by hearing "Mr. Braxton" from her lips. Their back-and-forth made Tony sense something. He chuckled. "Violet, you know Mr. Braxton?" Violet nearly jumped out of her skin, shaking her head frantically. "No, no way! How could I know Mr. Braxton?" Her outburst made the room's vibe even weirder. Wayne's eyes darkened, his body leaning back casually. "Yeah, she's right. How could Ms. Miller know me?" Tony hesitated and thought, "Did I read this wrong?" 'rom Wayne's demeanor, they didn't seem acquainted. Victor shot Violet a sharp look, baffled by her behavior. le raised his glass, forcing a laugh. "Mr. Braxton, Violet's probably just nervous. Don't mind her. Here's to you!" le downed his drink in one go. Wayne glanced at the table's glasses, his voice calm. "Sorry, Mr. Gray, I'm off alcohol lately. How about... yogurt instead?" Everyone was stunned. fogurt at a business dinner? What were they, kids? Tony jumped in. "Right, Mr. Braxton's got a point. Alcohol's overrated-messes with your stomach." "Waiter, bring us some yogurt!" Violet stole a glance at the man beside her, Wayne liked yogurt? Soon, everyone's glasses were swapped for yogurt. Wayne's lips curved faintly, and he took a slow sip. "Not bad. This yogurt's kinda sweet." Violet wasn't sure if she imagined it, but it felt like his eyes flicked her way as he said it. She wanted to bury her face in her cup. 14.49 Left Me Hanging at the City Hall? 1 Married Your Uncle 15.0 Chapter 19 Then Drop My Name! For the rest of the meal, Violet kept quiet, picking at her food while Victor, flushed with enthusiasm, chatted up the table. Wayne spoke sparingly, only chiming in now and then. Tony sensed her boss was in a decent mood-maybe Monarch Law was in the running. The dinner wrapped up on a high note, and Victor felt confident they'd made progress. "Mr. Braxton, shall I call your driver?" Tony asked. Wayne shook his head. "No driver tonight-I drove myself." He glanced at the group. "You all had drinks, right?" Tony replied, "We had a little earlier. Let's call for rideshares." Violet, smartly, hadn't driven-she'd ridden with Victor. Wayne's gaze settled on her. "No car, Ms. Miller? It's tough getting a ride around here." His eyes flicked to her phone's rideshare app. "Forget the app. Ride with me. The rest of you, get rideshares." "I'll drop Ms. Miller off on my way." Violet was surprised. Her brain screamed no way-couldn't he pretend not to know her right now? Sure enough, everyone's faces lit up with curiosity. Violet glanced at Victor, who raised a brow meaningfully. "I'm headed Violet's way-I'll take her." Wayne's low, cool voice cut through. "Mr. Gray, you've been drinking. Rideshares aren't easy to come by here. Don't worry, I'll get Ms. Miller home safe." And just like that, Violet trailed Wayne to his car. Charlie, from finance, watched them leave, his grin sleazy. "Mr. Gray, Ms. Miller's something else." Their CEO, who didn't let a female fly near him, just let her hop in his car! Tony, puzzled but protective, defended Wayne's image. "Mr. Cross, don't talk nonsense after a few drinks. Mr. Braxton's just being courteous to a client. Weird? Charlie grumbled under his breath mentally, "You call that not weird? Listen to yourself." He grinned at Victor. "Let's talk more about the acquisition case at the office soon." Victor's mood was mixed. The proxy contract seemed within reach, but why did it feel like his star pupil was getting swept away? "Mr. Brazton," Violet said, sitting ramrod straight. Wayne tugged at his thin lips, his sharp features softened by the dashboard light. "Why'd you stop pretending you don't know me?" Violet was left speechless. "Mr. Braxton, my boss thinks I'm from an average family. I don't want special treatment at the firm." Wayne didn't comment, his gaze sliding to her cheek. "Since when'd you learn to drink?" Violet stared at her knees, her voice softening. "First month at the firm." 15.30% Chapter 19 Then Drop My Name! First month? Wayne's jaw clenched, and he spat out three words. "You're something else." Violet sighed. What choice did she have? Their clients were all big shots-CEOs, elites. Was she supposed to sip yogurt like today? The car grew tense. Violet puffed her cheeks, sulking as she stared out the window. Wayne's thoughts ran deeper. Before she knew it, they'd pulled up to her building. 'Mr. Braxton, I'm here. Thanks for the ride." She unbuckled, reaching for the handle, but the door stayed locked. Violet tilted her head, puzzled, eyeing his profile. "Mr. Braxton?" 'Go easy on the drinks at night," he said, his voice low. "If someone pushes you to drink, drop... Gavin's name." Violet laughed. "Mr. Braxton, his name's not as useful as yours." She froze, realizing her slip. His cool, husky voice carried a warm edge. "Then drop my name, alright?" (0) (0)