Chapter 26: Relentless Temptation

Ethan felt a sharp pang in his chest as he watched Lily's relentless pursuit of intoxication. What the hell was wrong with him? Why should he stop her? If this foolish woman wanted to drink herself to death, so be it.

Tugging at his tie, Ethan leaned back against the plush sofa, an inexplicable sense of frustration weighing heavily upon him. Lily continued her single-minded mission, grabbing bottle after bottle, pouring the alcohol down her throat with a reckless abandon that bordered on suicidal.

As the minutes ticked by, Lily maintained her rhythm - grab, drink, discard - in a seamless, almost mechanical fashion. The onlookers watched in stunned silence, their eyes wide with a mixture of awe and disbelief.