Blayze, having shared a few drinks with Peterson, had a glazed look in his eyes and his cheeks were flushed.

"Blayze, should we head back?" Sabrina asked as she reached for her bag on the table.

Suddenly, Blayze caught her wrist. His grip was warm, and the veins on his hand stood out sharply.

Sabrina tried to pull away but couldn't break free from his firm grip.

Feeling uncomfortable, Sabrina looked at him and softly called out, “Blayze..."

Blayze released her hand and slumped back in his chair. “Do you despise me now?"

“What? Why would you say that?" Sabrina asked.

“Because my uncle..." Blayze's words trailed off. He grabbed the wine glass from the table, draining it in one go, and then slowly filled it again. "My uncle interfered with Tyrone's investigation into your father's case... He tried to pin the blame on Larry. Remember when I told you the Evans family was clashing with Tyrone over some business? I wasn't telling you the whole truth."

Sabrina felt trapped. She'd been avoiding Blayze since her return, hoping to distance herself from the chaos.

Blayze lowered his head. "You didn't argue. You must despise me now."

Sabrina found herself at a loss for words. After a brief pause, she admitted, "I don't know. I just can't wrap my head around why you would do something like that."

Back in Philade, Sabrina had trusted Blayze's words completely. But everything changed after she heard the full story from Tyrone that her father's case was the root of the feud between the Evans and Blakely families.

At that time, Sabrina supposed Blayze might be unaware of what the Evans family had done. Otherwise, why would he have been so open about wanting to take action against them the last time they talked?

But now, he confessed he had lied, which revealed he was indeed aware.

“Then why don't you just come and ask me?" Blayze suggested, propping an arm under his head and narrowing his eyes at Sabrina.

Sabrina had contemplated asking Blayze why the Evans family intervened in the investigation. Yet, she quickly realized it was pointless. She had only met Blayze by chance. He had no obligation to explain anything to her. Although Blayze had assisted her on a few occasions, it didn't mean he was bound to help her with everything.

“Blayze, you're aware of how much my father's case means to me, yet you decided to proceed as you did. You must have your reasons, ones that matter more to you than how I feel about it. So, asking you about it seems pointless," Sabrina revealed.

Blayze was stunned at her words. Then, with a strained smile, he looked up at Sabrina. "You're right, so..."

He lifted his gaze to meet hers, his expression turning somber. “Do you want to know why?"

“\hy?" Sabrina inquired, curiosity piqued.