Casiano, Romantically clueless

"Brother..." Eric, snapping out of his shock, promptly called out to him, but Casiano didn't turn his head. Billie, observing Casiano's retreating silhouette, asked with profound implication, "What's the matter with your brother?" Eric merely chuckled, "He's the sole heir of Davies Corporation; the pressure occasionally leads to peculiar temperaments. I hope you and Ms. Barton will not take it to heart."

Following a brief explanation, Eric lifted his glass, offering an apology to Billie and Alla, "In his stead, I will penalize myself with a drink." After draining the glass, Eric set it aside, suggesting softly, "You both carry on. I'll go check on him." His manners were impeccable and his words courteous, leaving Billie no reason to detain him. "Let's convene another time then," he conceded.

Eric nodded, donned his shirt, picked up his coat, and hastily departed. Lilianna, who had wanted another round of play, had no choice but to discard her cards and quickly follow, seeing Eric leave.

With several people gone, the room felt noticeably emptier. Billie, somewhat frustrated, massaged his temples. He had planned to discuss the project once Casiano was in a good mood. However, before he could even raise the topic, everyone had left—such ill fortune. Billie lost his enthusiasm for the game and dismissed everyone else from the room.

When they were alone, he turned to Alla, his eyes filled with perplexity, "Do you know Casiano?" From the beginning, Casiano had been targeting Alla, especially after learning of their intimate past, his treatment of her became even harsher. This clearly suggested that they knew each other, and their relationship was far from superficial.

Alla, still kneeling, her beautiful face streaked with red wine, looked even more pale, adding a certain tragic beauty. She slowly raised her hand, wiping the red wine off her face, and responded softly, "Yes, I know him."

As expected, Billie bent down to scrutinize Alla, "How did you meet?" Alla, aware of what he was suspecting, calmly explained, "I know I resemble Ms. Reed, so when I had the chance to deliver documents to Mr. Davies, I slipped something into his drink. I thought that once he slept with me, I could rise to a higher status. But he didn't fall for it and even kicked me out. Perhaps that's why he calls me dirty and degrading."

Her words significantly dispelled Billie's doubts. He had initially assumed that Casiano and Alla had some sort of romantic relationship. After all, a man's targeting of a woman often stems from emotions. It turned out that Alla's failed attempt to seduce Casiano had led to her falling out of favor, eliciting his disdain and revenge.

However, he was surprised—Alla had actually aspired to share Casiano's bed? Wasn't she indifferent to wealth? Alla, seeing his confusion, simply stated, "I was infatuated with him once." The dim light in her eyes was a trace of past affection, which made Billie partially believe her. "I see," he concurred, his suspicions allayed.

Billie then pulled Alla up and nestled her onto his lap. His cool fingers traced the red wine stains down her face and neck, his touch becoming more explorative as he cleaned her. "Darling, I never anticipated your audacity in daring to infiltrate Casiano's bed," he remarked. If it were him, he would have taken full advantage.

Alla, rigid with tension, dared not move for fear of stimulating some part of Billie's body. Suppressing her nausea, she forced herself to remain composed and said, "Mr. Roman, when I fall in love with you, I will show the same audacity." Billie, pressing against her wine-soaked back, responded between kisses, "I can't wait. Darling, let me have you." After finishing his statement, he lifted Alla's dress, ready to undress and take her.

Alla, pale with fear, struggled desperately. But this only excited Billie further, who began to kiss her passionately. "Mr. Roman!" Alla, held from behind, could only push against his chest. Her bag, across the sofa, was too far to reach.

Cold sweat broke out in her palms due to the urgency of the situation, but she had to force herself to remain calm. "Mr. Roman, don't you want to secure the project from Mr. Davies? I can help you get it, as long as you let me go!" Billie, who had been fiddling with her pants, paused at her mention of the project. "You can help me secure the project?" He doubted how she could, considering she had offended Casiano.

Alla, however, responded with unwaveringcertainty, "Although my previous plan to seduce Mr. Davies didn't succeed, there was a moment when he mistook me for Ms. Reed. I managed to capture that on video. If I use this as leverage to help you secure the project, I'm confident he'll give in."