Fleeing without looking, Marina tripped over a bottle on the floor. With a cry of alarm, she stumbled backward.
The expected pain never came. A pair of strong arms caught her around the waist, steadying her.
Startled, Marina turned her head and met Carson’s smiling face. His refined eyes, glazed from the alcohol, shimmered with a captivating light. He tightened his grip, pulling her into his arms.
His voice was like fine red wine, rich and smooth. “If you wanted me to hold you, you could have just asked. I’d be happy to oblige.”
Marina tried to push herself up, but her hands were covered in cake, leaving her no place to get a firm grip. She decided to play it cool. “Using drunkenness as an excuse to be presumptuous is pretty pathetic.”
Carson’s eyes crinkled in a smile. “Is it? I think it’s pretty fun.”
His gaze shifted to her cream-covered hand. He lifted her wrist, leaned in, and licked the frosting from her index finger.
Marina froze.
Carson’s tongue flicked out, a drunken amusement deepening in his eyes. “So sweet.”
Marina’s mind went blank. This man is a menace, she thought.
“Sweet, huh? How about I make you even sweeter?” Marina’s eyes narrowed into a sly smile. She raised her hand and pressed her palm flat against his face, smearing the frosting all the way down.
Carson, now with a face full of cream, stared at her, stunned. The suave, princely man from moments ago was gone, replaced by a comically bewildered-looking figure.
Marina burst out laughing and, before he could react, scrambled to her feet and ran.
While everyone else was caught up in the chaos, Estelle was the one most dedicated to eating her cake. Even as Emily joined the cake fight, Estelle sat on the sofa with Kya, sharing her dessert and her expert opinions.
“Okay!” Norah nodded obediently and took a large bite of cake. After swallowing, she lowered her voice. “Estelle, did you not invite Mr. Flemmings?”
“I did, but today is Damian’s birthday. He said they were celebrating and couldn’t make it,” Estelle explained.
Norah turned to her, shocked. “But Cameron’s birthday was yesterday!”
Estelle frowned. “He lied to me?”
Norah gave a wry smile. “He’s avoiding me.”
“What happened now? Things seemed fine a little while ago.”
Norah hesitated. “Well, it’s just that…”

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
This is so beautiful and captivating to envision. Thank you for your updates....
Thank you for bringing in all the past elements to bring continuity to Jonathan and Stella love journey. I loved it....
Just smiling and smiling and smiling reading the proceedings of this story. Loving it to the max...
Excited for all the events leading up to Jonathan getting his bride. Thank you for the updates....
Beautiful how everything is flowing together. Thank you for the updates....
Appreciate the storyline and direction.. Nothing seems rushed and patiently focusing on each and every character of the story, leaving no stone unturned. Even more intresting to read by the day...
And the plot thickens…thank you for the updates....
Ooooo, thank you thank you thank you for continuing to update the novel 🤩...
Ooooo, thank you thank you thank you for continuing to update the novel 🤩...
No updates??...