Old Dreams No Return (Serena) novel Chapter 453

Sleeping With Trouble: My Brother’s Ex-Best Friend 453 Summary

A tense atmosphere filled the dining room as Tyrell focused his challenging gaze on Emmett, pushing him to drink despite Emmett’s hesitation. The three brothers seemed to support Tyrell’s subtle pressure, understanding the stakes in this silent power struggle. Tyrell provocatively questioned Emmett’s toughness, implying that alcohol might break his resolve.

Emmett responded with calm confidence, asserting his strength and respect for the hosts by refusing to drink unless it was a proper contest. His composed demeanor frustrated the narrator, who was surprised by Emmett’s restraint and wondered if Maggie’s importance to him was the reason he avoided making reckless moves. The narrator then bluntly challenged Emmett to prove himself by drinking like the McDowell brothers, who could handle large amounts of alcohol easily.

Emmett admitted he had never been drunk before, valuing clear judgment, but agreed to try drinking tonight since Kaylie brought it up. The brothers welcomed this decision, promising to take care of him if he got drunk and asking about his previous experience with alcohol. Emmett revealed that his police academy life limited his drinking, with his heaviest being four bottles of white wine during a team event.

Suddenly, the sharp sound of forks dropping broke the silence, signaling a surprising moment that caught everyone off guard. Marcel’s fork clattered alongside Tyrell’s, and Deandre and the narrator exchanged shocked looks, sensing that something significant had just happened.

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Chapter 433

A heavy tension hung over the dining table, thick enough to be cut with a knife. I could sense that Tyrell was deliberately zeroing in on Emmett, his gaze sharp and challenging. The atmosphere was charged, a silent battle brewing beneath polite conversation.

The three brothers seemed to silently approve of Tyrell’s push for Emmett to drink, perhaps because Emmett’s hesitation to accept help had given them a moment’s pause. It was as if they understood the stakes and the subtle power play unfolding.

“Emmett, you’ve always been tough. Do you really think a little alcohol will make you back down?” Tyrell’s voice was calm but edged with provocation.

Emmett straightened up in his chair, his black suit and matching pants crisp and flawless, paired with a simple black T-shirt underneath. His posture was impeccable, and I couldn’t help but notice how striking he looked—there was something magnetic about his calm confidence.

“Mr. Vaughn is right,” Emmett replied steadily. “I’ve always been strong, and so are you. If you don’t give in, why should I? As for this Baijiu, we’re guests tonight. When you want to have a drinking contest, I’ll be right there with you until the very end. After all, they invited us, they’re the hosts, and we must respect that boundary.”

His icy tone only fueled my frustration. How could he be so composed, so understanding in a situation that felt like a challenge? Was Maggie truly that significant to him that he wouldn’t risk making a mistake just to get some kind of revenge? I felt a surge of anger mixed with disbelief.

Conclusion

Yet, amidst the silent battles and guarded emotions, a flicker of connection emerged. The brothers’ willingness to look after Emmett if he faltered hinted at a deeper, unspoken bond forming beneath the surface rivalry. This moment of shared understanding, punctuated by the unexpected clatter of dropped forks, suggested that fate was weaving their paths closer together, setting the stage for future trials that would test their loyalties and hearts in equal measure.

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

The next chapter promises to deepen the simmering tension around the dinner table, where unspoken rivalries and alliances are about to come to the forefront. Emmett’s decision to accept the drinking challenge will likely test not only his limits but also the fragile dynamics between him and the McDowell brothers. As the alcohol flows, emotions that have been carefully restrained might start to unravel, revealing hidden vulnerabilities and unexpected strengths.

Meanwhile, the sudden clatter of the fork hints at a disruption that could change the course of the evening. This unexpected moment may expose secrets or ignite conflicts that have been lurking beneath the surface, forcing everyone to confront truths they might rather avoid. With loyalties and pride on the line, the characters will have to navigate a precarious balance between respect and rivalry, making every interaction charged with potential consequences.