The CEO's Hidden Love: Midnight Temptations and Deep Desires novel Chapter 1296

Ever since Lane hung up the phone with Dorothy, his spirits were sky-high.

Not only did he have Kenneth whip up a couple extra dishes, he even went out and grabbed a six-pack of beer to celebrate.

"Too bad I can't access my wine collection right now. Would've loved to pop open one of my prized bottles of red to celebrate!"

Lane cracked open a can for himself and offered another to Kenneth.

Kenneth shook his head, declining. "I don't drink."

"On a day like this, how can you not celebrate with a drink? Everett's gone, your biggest enemy is out of the picture, and I'm feeling pretty damn good!" Lane tilted his head back, downing the beer in one go. "Do you have any idea how much I hated that guy? It wasn't just because he took Dorothy from me, but also the personal insults he hurled my way!"

With a flick of his wrists, Lane crushed the empty can, tossing it casually aside.

"I don't enjoy alcohol, and I don't need it to celebrate."

Initially, when Kenneth realized Dorothy would never fall for him, he too had tried to drown his sorrows in alcohol, attempting to escape reality.

But alcohol's effects are fleeting, and reality remains unchanged.

"Boring!" Lane scoffed but didn't press any further, taking the can he had opened for Kenneth and continued drinking.

One reason Kenneth refrained from drinking was the fear of getting drunk and spilling secrets that could jeopardize his chance of obtaining the antidote for Dorothy.

"You've been in touch with Dorothy?" Kenneth noted Lane's particularly good mood, even better than when he'd learned of Everett's "death," and guessed he must have heard from Dorothy and conveyed his threats to her.

And Dorothy's reaction must have pleased him.