Chapter 20

The Northwestern branch held a small dinner party in the mess hall over the weekend. The atmosphere was lively, and a few elderly researchers brought along their home-brewed wine. Cassian played drinking games with the others, laughing cheerfully, but he found his gaze inadvertently drawn toward Jasmine. She was tucked away in a corner, quietly eating food and occasionally chatting with someone else. Someone handed her a glass of wine. "Don't just sit there, Minnie! How about a drink?" Jasmine was just about to decline when Cassian smoothly interjected, "Give her a break, Aiden. We still have to head out into the wilderness tomorrow, so let her keep a clear head to record data with. I'll drink it for her instead!" He proceeded to down the wine in one go, attracting a round of applause. He winked at Jasmine, who ducked her head and smiled. Niall, watching from another table, clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles went white. Cassian was too dazzling of an existence. He was l