Bye My Stepbrother 28

Everyone was taken aback and jumped from their seats.

Roderick stood up unsteadily, loosening his tie.

He needed to sober up, to forget everything he saw tonight, the

scene Andrea and Quinn stood together, and her smile at Quinn.

Roderick stumbled into the restroom, turning on the faucet,

cold water splashing on his face.

The man in the mirror had bloodshot eyes, with his collar wide

open. He was not like the dignified heir of the Hodgson Group

anymore.

He stared at his reflection in the mirror for a long time, then

suddenly laughed. The voice was hoarse.

“Roderick Hodgson,” he said to himself. “Are you out of your

mind?”

At 3:17 a.m., Andrea heard a thud from downstairs. Someone

slammed the door heavily.

She walked on the cool marble floor in bare feet, her silk

nightgown brushing her legs.

The bedroom door at the end of the corridor was partly open

and the strong smell of alcohol was spreading from the room

The smell mixed with the scent of cedars. It was the perfume

Roderick usually used.

Andrea stood at the door for a full minute before gathering the

courage to push it open.

Moonlight came in through the window, dividing the room into

halves of light and shadow.

Roderick was lying on the bed. His tie loosened around his neck.

and his suit jacket was casually thrown on the floor

One hand was on his forehead, and his throat was moving

slightly with his breath. His shirt collar was soaked with

alcohol, sticking to his collarbone.

Andrea wanted to return to her room, but then she heard the

man’s lazy voice.

“Andie…”

Andrea gently walked over, picked up the jacket from the floor.

and hung it up.

She hesitated for a moment, then grabbed a towel from the

bathroom.

“Andie, is that you?”

The deep voice suddenly rang out, making Andrea’s hand

tremble.

Roderick opened his eyes, staring at her coldly.

His eyes were usually sharp as an eagle, and were now blurred

with alcohol. But Andrea still felt she was seen through by his

gaze.

“I heard the noise…” Andrea clutched the towel tightly. “You’re

drunk.”

Roderick sneered, reaching for the bottle on the bedstand.

Andrea instinctively grabbed his wrist. “Don’t drink anymore.“”

At the moment of touching his skin, both of them froze.

Roderick’s wrist was hot, his pulse pounding violently under

her palm.

Andrea’s hand jerked back and she saw Roderick’s eyes darken.

His voice was hoarse. “Andie, do you admit your mistake?”

Her mistake?

She didn’t know why she was wrong.

The only mistake she probably made was that she fell for him

before.

Andrea bit her lower lip, putting the towel on the bedstand,

changing the subject. “Use this. You’ll feel better.”‘

As she finished speaking, she turned to leave.

“Stop.”

Roderick suddenly sat up, grabbing her wrist.

Andrea was pulled onto the bed, her back sinking into the soft

duvet.

The strong smell of alcohol enveloped her as Roderick propped

himself above her, his dark eyes full of complex emotions.

“What’s been going on with you lately? Didn’t you love staying

by my side before?” His voice was hoarse, and his hot breath fell

on her ear.

Andrea shuddered.

They were too close, and it was dangerous. She could feel the

smell of the whiskey on his breath and see the shadow of his

eyelashes.

If it were before, she would have been obsessed with his

tenderness.

But now, all she wanted was to escape.

“My tummy aches too much.”

Roderick’s hand gently rubbed her belly. “Let me help you rub

it.”