The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 40

The truth was, my alcohol tolerance was garbage, and we were throwing back high-proof Royal Salute whiskey. Two shots in, my stomach was already doing flips.

But the whole point of these games was the energy; refusing to drink when called upon just made you a buzzkill. I had to play along.

But the calls kept coming. Shot after shot, endlessly. Before long, I had four or five glasses burning in my stomach.

Just as Zelda reminded me to grab my glass yet again, Zoey—who had been perfectly content cheering everyone on—suddenly spoke up. "Selena's already had quite a few. Let's let her skip this one, okay?"

With Ferris sitting right there, Zoey's word was law. The intern who had called me out immediately backed off. "Sure thing! Since Dr. Zeller asked, Dr. Hayes gets a pass on this one."

I let out a quiet sigh of relief.

By the time the round finally reached Zoey, she eyed the deck, hesitated for a few seconds, and pulled a card.

The Nine of Diamonds. According to the rules, it was an automatic three-shot penalty.

Zoey playfully stuck out her tongue, forcing a smile. "Looks like my luck ran out."

She reached for a glass, but Zelda instantly grabbed her wrist. "You're allergic to alcohol! Don't be crazy, just skip it."

Zoey blinked her wide doe eyes, looking incredibly noble. "I can't do that. Rules are rules. I'm not a cheater."

Her voice was so sweet and laced with such stubborn determination that even I felt a twinge of sympathy.

I forced my heavy eyelids open, glancing over just in time to see Ferris stand up without a word and take the glass right out of her hand.

One shot. Two shots. Three shots.

Ferris took her penalty without batting an eye.

Clean and fast.

Just like any fiercely protective boyfriend stepping up for his girl in front of a crowd.

This was far from the first time Ferris had publicly babied her, so why did it feel like a knife twisting straight into my heart?

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