Chapter 50 Just as Simon finished his words, everyone looked at Melanie. His words had indeed put Melanie in an awkward situation. It sounded as if Melanie wanted to kiss Eugene badly. Simon did not care and continued asking, "Stephen is around. Why aren't you kissing him?" Melanie squeezed the glass. Just as she was about to speak, Stephen spoke up for her, "Simon, stop making things difficult for Mel. She just got off work, and she can't drink. I'll drink on her behalf." "That's right. It's just a game. Drinking is fun too." Even Joshua, who had always been meek, spoke up for Melanie. He poured himself a glass of wine and toasted Stephen. "Stephen, I'll drink with you." Stephen and Joshua had already spoken up for Melanie, so Simon stopped forcing her to play. After Stephen drank, they started a new round of games. Melanie looked at Stephen's flushed neck and felt terrible. "I'm sorry." These people were bold, and the wine they ordered was strong. After Stephen drank three glasses of wine, others seemed to take the chance to toast him. He closed his eyes and leaned on the backrest of the sofa. Then, he turned around and said to Melanie, "I might have to trouble you to send me home." The party ended late. However, because Stephen was drunk, Melanie left with him before the party ended. Melanie supported him, afraid he might fall. When they walked past Eugene and Viola, Melanie saw Viola leaning against Eugene's chest and speaking in a voice only the two could hear. After she helped Stephen get into the car, she realized she left her phone in the private room. Stephen rubbed his temples. He was still a gentleman even when he was drunk. He said, "I'll rest for a while in the car. You can go and get your phone." When Melanie returned to the private room, it was livelier than before. "I left my phone here. Can you please make way for me? I can't see clearly," said Melanie. Hearing her, he probed, "Do you have poor night vision?" "I have mild nyctalopia." "I'll help you out. It's dark in here," said Joshua as he helped Melanie walk out. After Melanie left the private room, she stood at the bar entrance for a while before going to the car. Stephen was startled to see her face and asked, "Are you feeling unwell? You look pale." Melanie shook her head. "Maybe I'm having a little migraine from all the noise." She sounded frustrated, but Stephen looked at her side profile and said nothing. He handed her a bottle of water out of concern. "Rest for a while." Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! Title: A Fated Encounter In "A Fated Encounter" by CrushReels, a captivating modern romance unfolds. Emma Brown finds herself entangled in a complex web of family obligations when her father, Henry, pressures her to marry Tommy Anderson in place of her sister Bella to salvage their struggling business. As Emma navigates this unexpected turn of events, she discovers that Tommy is not the man rumors portray him to be. Their relationship evolves beyond mere obligation, revealing layers of depth and emotion amidst the backdrop of societal expectations and personal desires. This novel delves into themes of duty, love, and self-discovery as Emma grapples with conflicting emotions and the realization that fate may have a different plan in store for her. With nuanced character development and a unique twist on the conventional romance narrative, "A Fated Encounter" stands out as a compelling tale of love and sacrifice. Experience this engrossing story online at CrushReels and immerse yourself in a world where destiny intertwines with the complexities of the heart.