"It's a metaphor for silence!" Cheng Zixiao exclaimed with an impish grin.
Georgia was taken aback, her reaction almost instinctual as she withdrew her hand from Cheng Zixiao's grip.
Jack's face darkened, and his intense black gaze fixated on her.
Georgia felt as if the air around her had grown thinner, but she mustered her courage and continued, "I meant... with silence..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Jack swiftly advanced, seized her hand, and forcefully pulled her into the women's bathroom.
Cheng Zixiao followed in haste, calling out, "Yuyi..."
The door slammed shut, leaving Cheng Zixiao with a frustrated expression. He attempted to push the door, only to discover it was locked from the inside.
Inside the bathroom, Georgia retreated, startled. She stammered, "This is the women's restroom..."
Without uttering a word, Jack advanced, cornering Georgia against the wall.
His voice was icy as he demanded, "Why are you with him?"
He had explicitly told her to stay away from Cheng Zixiao, but she had ignored his warning. Instead, she seemed to be getting closer to him. Where was her loyalty?
Nervously, Georgia tried to explain, but the situation was complex. She needed to recount the events at the jewelry exhibition that had led to her owing Cheng Zixiao a meal. Her thoughts raced, and she recalled the events of the previous night, which had left her feeling frustrated.
Taking a deep breath, she gritted her teeth and finally said, "We just had a meal."
She feigned calmness, her eyes betraying a hint of defiance. Her words seemed to have successfully provoked Jack, whose face darkened, and his breath grew heavy.
His voice was low and threatening as he questioned, "Hand in hand, joking around. Is that what you call having a meal?"
Georgia clenched her teeth, mustering the courage to ask, "Do you care if I'm with other men?"
He had his affairs with other women, so why couldn't she dine with other men? What was the rationale behind his anger? Was it a matter of male pride and dignity, or did he expect her to unilaterally uphold the sanctity of their marriage?
As Jack glared at her with a stubborn expression, his eyebrows furrowed deeply, and his lips remained tightly sealed. However, before he could respond, there came a loud pounding on the bathroom door from outside.
"Bang, bang!"
An irate Cheng Zixiao's voice followed, "Jack, open the door!"
Georgia couldn't help but frown upon hearing the commotion outside. She was about to speak when her wrist was abruptly gripped, holding her in place.
Jack pushed open the bathroom door, and his cold, dark eyes met Cheng Zixiao's gaze outside.
Cheng Zixiao, who had been concerned about Georgia's well-being, was quick to react. He looked at her and inquired, "Georgia, are you alright?"
As he attempted to approach her, a formidable arm blocked his path, restraining him from moving forward.
Cheng Zixiao's expression darkened, and he regarded Jack with a cautious air. "What's going on? Do you want to fight?"
Jack, his face a mask of frostiness, retorted, "I want to know who you are, Cheng Zixiao."