โCome on, man. I know you too well. Didnโt you have a thing with Ms. Liora Thomas back in the day?โ said Liam.
Wernerโs heart lurched, and his face darkened. โWho told you that?โ
Liam said, โWell, that was decades ago. You spilled the beans on me when you were drunk. Havenโt you two kept in touch all these years?โ
For a moment, Werner was completely tongue-tied. There was no way he would ever tell Liam about what happened between him and Liora.
Werner replied calmly, โOf course not. That was ages ago.โ
Liam didnโt press further. After dinner, he grabbed Werner and insisted they go have some fun.
Liam said, โOnly after my wife passed away did I realize how great single life is. A man has got to live it up.โ
โForget it. Not this time.โ Werner waved him off. Werner thought, โYouโre a bachelor, but Iโve got a wife and kids to think about.'
โCome on. I wonโt tell Cathy. With me covering your back, whatโs there to be afraid of?โ said Liam.
In this way, Liam dragged Werner to the entrance of a seedy adult club.
Liam swore to him that this place was totally under the radar and no one would find out.
Werner was still hesitating at the entrance. He said, โCathy suspected me once. Iโve betrayed her. I canโt make the same mistake twice.โ
Liam said, โCome on. Just one more time. Stop being a wet blanket. Why else did you come to Shaville to see me? You were clearly looking for this kind of fun and wanting me to show you the ropes. Cut the act.โ
Werner retorted, โCanโt you keep your big mouth shut? Iโm just here to see a friend, not you.โ
โYou got any friends besides me? Why didnโt I know that?โ Liam grinned mischievously. โCome on. Just play it safe this time. Youโll be fine.โ
Werner put up a halfhearted resistance as Liam dragged one of his feet across the threshold, but he still hesitated.
Just as Werner was teetering on the edge and about to abandon his principles once again, he spotted a familiar figure standing close by.
Werner froze for a split second and violently shoved Liam away.
When Liam was about to snap, he turned around and was stunned to see Donald standing there.
Werner couldnโt meet Donaldโs eyes. His dignity was in tatters before Donald. Overwhelmed by shame, Werner shoved Liam aside and bolted.
Werner said, โI told you I didnโt want to come. You shouldnโt have dragged me to this sleazy joint.โ
Ignoring Liamโs reaction, he turned and walked away.
Donald strode purposefully after Werner.
Liam quickly grabbed Donaldโs hand and chuckled nervously to cover for Werner. โDonald, long time no see. Youโve grown so tall. Your dad and I are just here for drinks. Donโt overthink it, alright?โ
Donald clenched his fists. The next second, he yanked his hand free from Liamโs grip and chased Werner.
At that moment, Werner was every inch a coward. Caught by Donald, he deliberately avoided Donaldโs gaze and frantically tried to hail a taxi, desperate to flee.
It seemed as if only fleeing could allow Werner to desperately cling to that pathetic shred of dignity and self-respect before his child.
Chapter 574
Werner returned to the hotel he had booked, and Donald tailed him in a taxi and got out right after him.
Werner knew he could no longer run away. He pretended to have just noticed Donald standing there.
Werner said, โWell, look whoโs here. What are you doing here?โ
โWhy are you running away? Are you too scared to own up to what youโve done?โ Donald demanded of Werner.
Wernerโs face hardened. โWhat did I do, huh? Liam tried to take me to that kind of place, but I refused. I told him our situation is that heโs a widower, but Iโve still got a wife and kids. I have my principles.โ