"Tell me the whole story of that day again." Patrick's expression was so calm that no one could tell what he was thinking.
Christine tried hard to remain calm. Clear-minded, she repeated everything that happened that day in detail. Her description was not exactly perfect, but it made her words more believable.
Patrick did not say anything, because none of Christine's words made her suspicious.
Besides, there was no point for her to bear the consequences of revealing something that had nothing to do with her.
Patrick did not know Christine well enough. At least, he did not know who Christine was many years ago. The Christine he knew was loyal, selfish, and indifferent. That was why she could manage to look coldly at those men and women who indulged themselves in sensual pleasures in Fittro Club during those countless nights.
Patrick believed that a person like Christine would not hide anything from him for something that did not benefit her at all.
He stretched out his hand wearily and waved it at Christine. "Go," he said weakly.
Patrick felt helpless, since he couldn't find Gloria. Only then did he realize that he didn't even know which way she might be going.
The rogues had already been tortured miserably by him, yet venting was not what he needed most.
The sound of a car horn suddenly came from downstairs. He looked down and saw the one coming out of the car.
Patrick was stunned. He thought, 'Why is he here?'
Downstairs, Kevin asked politely, "Sir, may I know who you are?"
"Tell Patrick that Derrick from the Blood Moon Pack is here," Derrick replied.
In the next second, a cold voice came from behind Kevin. Patrick said, "No need. I'm right here."
Patrick stood at the stairs, looked at Derrick, and said, "Derrick, what are you doing here?"
"I'm here to see you make a fool of yourself," Derrick said, raising his head and revealing a provocative smile.
Patrick stood there and stared at Derrick for a long time with his deep eyes without a word.
The atmosphere right now was eerily silent, like the calm before a storm.
Kevin wanted to flee away, yet he felt that his legs were too heavy, and he couldn't move at all. He felt as if he was nailed to the ground.
"How am I a fool? The Black Thorn Pack is thriving, the Hammond Group is functioning well, and I am still the most powerful in Gabbs," Patrick said with a hint of ridicule.
Derrick smiled mockingly and said, "That's true. When Patrick is in a bad mood, everyone in Gabbs will suffer."
The provocative expression on Derrick's face was very obvious. He said, "But you can't even keep an eye on your mate. It's the biggest joke I have ever heard! I need more time to laugh. An Alpha has lost his mate. Right now, everyone in Gabbs is making fun of you."
Kevin had the urge to rush up and cover Derrick's offending mouth.
The air in the room froze. Patrick's Alpha aura filled the air and then quickly disappeared.
Derrick's smile was nothing but an eyesore. Even Kevin wanted to beat him up.
When the tense atmosphere reached its peak, Patrick revealed a smile on his face. Everyone in the room looked at him in surprise, having no time to conceal their shock.
Derrick was surprised as well. He frowned and thought, 'Shouldn't Patrick raise his fist in anger and beat me up?
He isn't losing his mind because of me, is he?'
"I deserve that. You are right. I can't even keep an eye on my mate," Patrick mocked himself.
Derrick was silent. He thought, 'Seriously? Is Patrick really losing his mind?'
He was dumbfounded at Patrick's words. He was here to see Patrick make a fool of himself, but he didn't want to see Patrick like this.
"Everyone in Gabbs is laughing at me, and I deserve it. The Moon Goddess chose my mate for me, who was the best in the world. But I ruined our future with my own hands. I had her and her love for me, but I destroyed everything. What a fool I am!" Patrick on the stairs said self-mockingly.
The sadness in his tone was so depressing that people felt it was hard to breathe.
Derrick fell silent. All his taunts and smugness earlier vanished. "You're not the only fool here," he said dejectedly.
There was great regret hidden in his simple words.
Derrick turned his head and said to Kevin, who seemed to be of no account, "Please help me fetch the stuff from the trunk. Thank you."
Then he threw the car keys at Kevin.
After a while, Kevin came over with a rectangular wooden box in his hand. He asked, "Mr. Fisher, is this what you want?"
"That's right." Derrick took the rectangular wooden box.
He opened it skillfully and took out a bottle. He raised the bottle and said, "Fancy a drink, Patrick?"
He smiled bitterly and said, "I'm not here to laugh at you."
He thought, 'Who am I to laugh at Patrick? I am just another joke, aren't I?'
"I'll join you," Derrick smiled bitterly and said. "We are the same. You and I are so self-righteous, so we both hurt the woman we love so much. We are bound to lose her in the end."
Patrick stared at Derrick for a long time. Then he shook his head and said, "I'm not like you."
He glanced at the wine in Derrick's hand and said seriously, "I don't need to get it out by getting drunk, and I won't drink with you."
Derrick was somehow agitated because of Patrick's words. He said eagerly, "Patrick, do you think you and Gloria can get back together? Do you think Gloria will change her mind and come back to you?"
Derrick looked at Patrick and said coldly, "You don't know her at all. She always gets what she wants, no matter how reluctant you are. She managed to vanish completely from your life, didn't she? Everything she had done before was just preparation for her escape."
He took a deep breath and continued, "Patrick, you are ridiculous. Do you think she will love you the same way she did before?"
Derrick didn't know who he was trying to convince. Was it Patrick, or himself?
As he spoke faster, his words were getting harsher. He was probably unaware that he was panicked deep down.
Patrick, on the other hand, simply glanced at Derrick and said slowly, "I'm not sure if I know her or not, but I know myself. Derrick, we are not the same."
Derrick was inexplicably angry. He roared, "She has already left! You can't find her no matter what!"
"I will go everywhere as long as it is accessible. I'll look for her by going to all these places one by one until the day I can't walk anymore," Patrick said in an indescribably serious tone, and his eyes were utterly deep as he stared at Derrick.
Derrick's face suddenly turned pale.
He stared at Patrick for a long time, then he burst into bitter laughter. He said, "You will fail!"