Chapter 787 Being Bullied
Derrick and Crystal were on their way to a bar when Crystal asked, “Care to see who can drink more?” Crystal took Derrick’s silence as consent and ordered two dozen bottles of beer.
Once the waiter served them their beers, Crystal uncapped a bottle and handed it over to Derrick. “Drink up. I know you have a lot on your mind.”
Derrick accepted the proffered bottle and fiddled with it with his slender fingers. He narrowed his eyes at Crystal. “Were you behind what happened at Tiff’s family’s house?”
Crystal paused and turned to look at him. She feigned ignorance as she replied, “Derrick, what in the world are you talking about?”
Derrick brushed her off with a smile and chose not to answer.
They continued drinking in silence. Since Derrick and Crystal had a relatively high alcohol tolerance, they remained sober even after finishing all the beers ordered.
Crystal uttered, “This is no fun. Why not try something more exciting?”
Derrick watched the inebriated men and women on the dance floor and wondered, “What do you suggest?”
“To celebrate this rare occasion where you don’t view me as the most heinous criminal, let’s have a go at a game of ‘Truth or Dare.’ The loser has to answer every question thrown at them. How about that?”
Derrick agreed without a moment’s hesitation.
It was unknown whether Derrick’s unusual mellowness was due to his troubled state as he even let down his defenses toward Crystal, whom he was usually wary of.
Crystal grinned. “Good lad.”
She requested for a glass of spirits to be served. Most lightweights would have dropped unconscious after downing just a single glass.
During the first round of their finger-guessing game, Crystal was the one to lose.
“Shoot, Derrick. You know I have no holds barred when it comes to you.”
Derrick gulped down a mouthful of beer. “Were you behind what happened at Tiff’s family’s house?”
Crystal barked out a laugh. “I admit that it was tempting to crash your wedding, but I changed my mind at how pointless it would be. Instead, I caught a flight from Saspiuburg to Irushea and lived there for a bit. Feel free to find proof about it if you’re doubtful. I am someone who knows when to let go, so don’t worry.”
Derrick was indifferent.
He had let her off easily as he had evidence of Crystal’s flight details. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be drinking together amicably that day.
Crystal won in the subsequent round of their finger-guessing game.
“Have you ever regretted marrying Tiffany?”
“It’s none of your business.”
“Come on, don’t be such a sore loser.”
Derrick replied firmly after downing another mouthful of beer. “Never.”
Crystal was amused. “This is getting boring. How about a cocktail?”
Derrick ignored her question as he quaffed his beer.
Crystal made her way over to the counter and asked the bartender for permission to mix her drink. Since they were most likely acquainted, he agreed.
Crystal adeptly mixed a colorful cocktail as the bartender said, “Ms. Halliwell, you have good taste. I can tell that this man comes from an affluent background and has the looks to go with it. He became the center of attention the moment he stepped into the pub. You’d better hurry up and make a move before he gets snatched away.”
Crystal was in her element. “Rest assured that he belongs to me only. He’s not going anywhere.”
“Good luck to you then.”
Crystal balanced the cocktail over to Derrick. “Try it.”
Derrick eyed the cocktail impassively.
“What’s wrong? Are you worried that it’s spiked?”
Derrick did not refute her observation.
Crystal voluntarily took a sip. “There. Are you happy now? Do you think that a weak woman like myself would be capable of taking advantage of you?”
Derrick lifted the glass and imbibed it, thereby missing Crystal discreetly popping a white pill into her mouth.
“How is it? Not too bad, am I right?”
“It was pretty good.”
Derrick got to his feet to leave, but a sense of vertigo instantly assaulted his senses. He dropped back to his seat and barely managed to mouth out, “You…” In his eyes, Crystal’s image morphed itself into Tiffany’s.
He was intoxicated. “Tiff, Tiff.”
Crystal took in his clouded look. “Derrick, do you have any idea how long I’ve waited for this day? Thankfully my patience has been rewarded, and you’re now mine to toy with.”
Crystal moved closer to Derrick and caught his lips in a kiss. She signaled the bartender to capture the scene with his phone. He gestured to Crystal once the photos were snapped.
She released Derrick and gently patted his cheeks. “Derrick, what’s the matter? Are you drunk?”
Derrick came to and queried, “What happened to me?”
“Your face was so flushed a while ago I thought that you were a goner! I can’t believe you were pulling my leg!” She had given Derrick an aphrodisiac which took effect at an expedited rate with the presence of alcohol. However, its efficacy only lasted for around two minutes.
Derrick checked the time on his phone and noticed that it was already twelve o’clock.
He stood. “I’ll be taking my leave.”
Crystal followed suit, saying, “I’ll accompany you to the hospital to visit Mrs. Hisson. She had been kind to me for a time after all.”
Derrick had no objection to that.
They exited the pub side by side and got into the car. It wasn’t long before he received a message on his phone that Kate had awoken.
He asked the chauffeur to drive as fast as possible to the hospital.
Derrick and Crystal took the elevator up the building. The minute the doors to the elevator opened, Derrick dashed out of it without a care in the world into the ward.
Crystal, on the other hand, took this time to send a message to the bartender with instructions for the photos taken just now to be printed and sent to her. She would then transfer the monetary reward into the bartender’s bank account once he’d completed his duty.
She received a reply of acknowledgment after her message was sent.
A smile tugged on the corner of Crystal’s lips as she deleted all evidence of her text message conversation and entered the ward.
Several doctors were checking in on Kate’s condition. Once they were done, Derrick frantically asked, “How’s my mother? Would she be suffering any long-term side effects?”
“Worry not, Mr. Hisson. Mrs. Hisson is fine, and side effects would be unlikely. However, despite being healthier than most women her age, she is still old. There is the possibility that she might relapse. Hence, it would be better if she weren’t triggered so often.”
Derrick nodded.
Crystal moved closer to the bed. Kate was in good spirits, and her face had color. “Mrs. Hisson, I’m here to visit you.”
Kate smiled weakly and lamented, “Crystal, if only you were my daughter-in-law, then I wouldn’t need to be admitted to the hospital for so long.”
Derrick stiffened at that and pursed his lips.
“It’s all right, Mrs. Hisson. You can still treat me as your daughter despite that. I came all the way from Irushea once I heard that you were unwell. Once you’ve recovered, I’ll be leaving the country again and won’t be returning to Tayhaven anytime soon.”
Kate grabbed hold of Crystal’s hand and glared at Derrick begrudgingly.
“Mrs. Hisson, both Mr. Hisson and Derrick were worried sick for the past few days when you were unconscious. Tiffany, as well. Now that she’s part of the family, why not try to get along? Otherwise, it would be unfair to Derrick if he were to pick sides.” Crystal continued the act of being a gracious and understanding companion.
Kate glanced approvingly at Crystal and became even more displeased with Tiffany.
“Crystal, it’s not that I have a bone to pick with Tiffany. It’s just… every family has a skeleton in their closet. If only she were as understanding as you, I wouldn’t have ended up in such a state. No matter. I’m afraid she is so dear to my son that he wouldn’t care about my wellbeing at all.”
“How can you say that, Mrs. Hisson? That’s far from the truth!”
“If he genuinely cared for me, he wouldn’t sanction his errant wife’s unrepentant behavior by letting her hide away from me. Now that I’m awake, she’s the only one who’s absent. The gall of her! I mean nothing to him.” Kate harrumphed.
Naturally, Crystal put in a good word or two while comforting her.
