The Loyal Puppet: A Love Built on Lies novel Chapter 17

"Tonight we've got a welcome dinner."

"Some medical supplies just arrived from back home, so let's make sure we give our guests a proper reception."

"Anyone who ends up in a place like this is a true hero with a big heart."

The lead attending physician gave everyone a heads-up beforehand.

The dinner was set up at an open-air boba tea spot on the lawn.

Rumor has it the place was started by some American entrepreneur.

They hired locals to run it.

Chloe and Lucas were, of course, the local golden couple—young, talented doctors with bright futures.

Everyone was trying to push them together, but Chloe wasn't having it.

She always kept her distance.

Then, the teasing started up again: "Chloe, Lucas, you've both been here for six months now."

"You two look like a match made in heaven."

"How about a unity shot?"

"Unity shot! Unity shot!"

The chants kept coming.

Chloe's face turned bright red as she picked up her glass.

But in that moment, all she could think about was Mason.

Chloe didn't drink.

The first time she ever had alcohol was to get closer to Mason—she took three shots for him and ended up with an allergic reaction that lasted a week.

After that, whenever she was around Mason, he never pressured her to drink.

In fact, he wouldn't let anyone even suggest it, not even a single word.

But with everyone so hyped up—it had been a while since they'd had this kind of energy—she didn't want to ruin the mood.

Lucas's face was red all the way to his ears.

He muttered softly, "You don't have to drink if you don't want to."

Chloe glanced at him, then smiled, linking her arm with his.

The fiery liquid hit her throat, instantly making her face flush and her stomach churn.

She quickly pushed through the crowd and rushed to a secluded restroom, where she leaned over the sink and vomited violently.

After what felt like forever, she slowly lifted her head, wiped her mouth, and turned around—only to see a familiar figure.

His face looked more worn than she remembered, but the handsomeness was still there.

Those deep eyes of his seemed even more captivating now, like they held a long, untold story.

"Why drink if you can't handle it?"

He stared at her, his eyes filled with pain.

Chloe was shocked to see Mason, but she quickly composed herself.

She didn't bother responding and walked right past him.

He reached out and grabbed her wrist, his Adam's apple bobbing.

"You've lost weight."

Chloe gently pulled her hand away without a word.

"Couldn't wait to leave me, just to come here and do unity shots with some other guy?"

Mason didn't understand why, even though his heart ached for her, his words came out so bitter.

"You're insane," Chloe shot back coldly and kept walking.

Mason grabbed her again, pinning her against the wall.

"Mason, don't you dare cause a scene here..."

That night, Chloe was vomiting and had diarrhea.

Lucas was called away to tend to another patient.

Chloe was trembling, her face pale.

Mason burst into her room.

She was curled up on the bed.

Without a word, Mason took off his jacket, wrapped it around her, and carried her to find a doctor.

It was strange—Chloe, who was 5'7", felt almost weightless in his arms.

She nestled into his chest, as gentle as a little fox.

At the clinic, they rolled up her sleeve and saw red hives all over her arm.

An alcohol allergy.

"Chloe, you knew you were allergic."

"Why did you drink?"

Mason's words were full of blame, but tears rolled down his cheeks.

He didn't understand.

Chloe had been with him for five years, playing her part, all business.

But seeing her like this now, he couldn't help but cry.

"Damn it, Mason, you're such a fool," he cursed himself a thousand times in his head.

That night, he stayed by Chloe's side as she got an IV, until the sun came up.

"Why were you outside?"

Chloe asked, confused.