From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress Chapter 67: The Dart Challenge

Not long afterward, he returned, this time holding a cocktail. His expression held a stubborn edge. "Come on, just one drink? We're just trying to be friendly."

Riley raised her own glass, her tone steady. "I'm good with this, thanks."

His friends had gathered close by, watching the exchange. A girl with bright pink hair crossed her arms, her voice sharp and mocking. "What's the point of coming to a bar if you're not drinking? Sitting there with water like some kind of saint—who are you trying to fool?"

Riley's brow furrowed in irritation.

She had little patience for baseless, mean-spirited assumptions. Just as she was about to retort, the group of guys nearby started egging them on.

"Just take a sip! Come hang with us!"

"You can't turn down a drink when someone offers!"

"Chug! Chug! Chug!"

The chanting grated on her nerves.

She was done wasting energy on them and glanced toward the bouncer nearby, ready to signal for help.

Suddenly, a strong, well-defined hand reached from behind her, smoothly intercepting the drink the guy was pushing forward and placing it firmly on the table.

Then, a deep, unmistakably annoyed voice cut easily through the noise.

"She said no. You hard of hearing?"

Riley turned in surprise and met a pair of intense eyes.

Sebastian had stepped in behind her without a sound.

He wasn't in the casual hoodie she'd seen him in last time—tonight he wore a relaxed blazer, posture straight, his tall frame almost enveloping her in a protective space, shielding her from the hostile stares around them.

Sebastian's presence seemed to freeze the air around them.

The guy, who'd only worked up the courage thanks to liquid confidence and peer pressure, took one look at Sebastian's don't-mess-with-me demeanor and instantly sobered up.

He stumbled back, his bravado gone, stammering, "S-sorry, man... just fooling around..."

But the pink-haired girl behind him wasn't ready to back down.

She grabbed her retreating friend and snapped, "What's wrong with you? Scared of him?"

Then she stepped forward, completely unfazed by Sebastian's icy glare, and aimed her words straight at Riley. "He was just being nice offering you a drink, and you had to act all stuck-up. We're at a bar, not some sheltered little party. Who are you trying to impress?"

Her gaze—sharp and assessing—then shifted to Sebastian. She looked him over, from the tailored cut of his blazer to his striking features, not even trying to hide her interest.

She tossed her hair and asked provocatively, "So, handsome—you jumping in like that. Is she your girlfriend?"

Sebastian didn't bother looking at her. His eyes stayed on Riley, as if the loud girl in front of him were nothing but background noise.

His reply was low and utterly indifferent. "What's it to you?"

His dismissiveness didn't deter her. If anything, a sly gleam flashed in her eyes.

His non-answer seemed to give her hope.

"Alright then," she said, turning back to Riley with a smug, know-it-all smile. "You don't want to hang, you don't want to drink—fine. But how about a game?"

She pointed toward the dartboard nearby and announced loudly, "I challenge you to darts. You win, we all apologize and cover your tab tonight. But if I win..."

She paused deliberately, then lifted a glitter-nailed finger and pointed playfully—but pointedly—at Sebastian. "Then he has to be my date for the night."

Finally, Riley understood. This wasn't about the drink—this girl was after Sebastian.

A dry amusement flickered through her.

Did she really come off as someone that easy to mess with?

The calm front Riley had held a moment before vanished. Her expression cooled completely, her voice dropping to a chill tone. "I'm not playing games with you. You all are being ridiculous. People come here to unwind—what I drink or don't drink is my business. I turned down your invite, which means I'm not interested. Isn't that clear enough? Or do I need to spell it out in words you'll actually understand?"

The pink-haired girl's face tightened. Flustered, she shot back defensively, "Sounds like you're just scared to lose!"

"Listen," Riley said, her tone level yet carrying a clear edge. "Don't think you can pull some cheap high school trick on me. Challenging me to something you're good at just to embarrass me in public? Congrats on being great at darts—doesn't make this any less pathetic."