Cross Lines

Chapter 7: The Situation

“Sure.”

Maggie responded immediately, getting up and moving to sit next to Emily Luo, effectively blocking her.

“Help me cover for a moment; I don’t want to talk,” Emily Luo said, resting her hand on her forehead and sighing weakly. Maggie noticed her pale complexion and carefully asked,

“Is it that time of the month?”

Emily Luo stiffened, turned her head to look at Maggie. Her eyes were strikingly beautiful, like black crystals. Maggie felt she might have asked something too personal and grew a bit nervous.

To Maggie’s surprise, Dr. Luo smiled, “Maggie, you’re quite nosy, not at all what I’d expect from your appearance.”

Maggie relaxed at that,

“Appearance? What’s wrong with it?”

Emily Luo glanced at her hunting outfit but said nothing.

“I’m dressed this way because the party theme is cross-dressing.” Maggie looked around at the mostly suit-clad guests, “Is it too extravagant?”

“No, it looks cool.”

Emily Luo said, closing her eyes again. Maggie sensed that Emily was not annoyed with her, just genuinely tired. To confirm this, a sweet-looking girl with golden curls sat down next to Maggie, wearing a double-breasted tweed jacket and followed by Jasmine.

“Why aren’t you joining the fun?”

Jasmine asked, placing her hand casually on Maggie’s shoulder from behind the sofa.

“I’m chatting with Dr. Luo,” Maggie said, looking up into Jasmine’s eyes.

“Sis.”

Emily Luo seemed quite familiar with Jasmine, addressing her naturally. Jasmine smiled and patted Maggie,

“Look at how smoothly Emily calls me. You’re younger than her, so you should start calling me that too.”

“Uh—”

Maggie hesitated, her expression somewhat awkward. Jasmine, shedding her usual office demeanor for a more playful look, teased,

“What’s with the long face? If it were someone else, they’d be thrilled.”

Reluctantly, Maggie complied,

“Sis.”

“That’s better. Come on over.”

Jasmine patted her once more and left, satisfied. Emily Luo watched Maggie with an amused expression. Maggie shrugged, and before she could speak, Qiqi breezed over, sitting on the armrest of Emily Luo’s sofa and putting her arm around her neck.

“Emily, come on, play with us! It’s so dull sitting here.”

She glanced at Maggie, and Maggie felt a faint sense of guarded hostility, choosing to remain silent. Emily Luo’s smile was somewhat forced as she held onto Qiqi’s arm,

“I mentioned I’m a bit tired today…”

“But it’s only once a year!”

Qiqi’s face was exceptionally beautiful, with a sharp chin and deep-set eyes. She leaned close to Emily Luo’s ear, and their closeness seemed unusually intimate.

Emily Luo, clearly not immune to her friend’s coaxing, stood up. Qiqi’s gaze shifted to Maggie,

“Maggie, won’t you join us?”

Maggie understood that the invitation wasn’t sincere and shook her head,

“I’m not good at those games. I’ll just sing over with President. Gao. You all enjoy yourselves.”

Qiqi smiled slightly and didn’t insist,

“Have fun then.”

She then led her friend away. Emily Luo glanced back at Maggie but said nothing.

Maggie picked up a glass of orange juice and had just taken a sip when an unfamiliar girl pulled her into the mix. Soon, people she had never met were playing games with her. Maggie soon forgot about the earlier discomfort. After all, in gatherings of women, many emotions seem irrational, and Maggie wasn’t the type to hold grudges.

The party was lively. Qiqi, clearly an expert at this, stirred up an excellent atmosphere. Bold and spicy games were played, and without any men present, everyone felt more liberated. Bottles of red wine and champagne were poured, and some strong liquor was downed freely by the girls.

As the evening progressed, everyone gathered in the center for games. Maggie, though not participating, sat on the side, eagerly watching. Suddenly, visibly intoxicated Qiqi pointed at her,

“Maggie! What’s up with you?”

Maggie was startled, not understanding why the young lady had suddenly focused on her, and all eyes turned her way.

“What’s in your glass?”

Some people laughed as Maggie, who had been carrying only a juice cup, was caught. Maggie looked at her cup and feigned innocence,

“Orange juice.”

“Who told you to drink orange juice? Are you doing this just to spite me?”

Qiqi’s remark was convoluted and seemed far from friendly. She had her left hand resting on Emily Luo’s right shoulder, and with a wink, she continued,

“Look around, who else is drinking orange juice? Emily here doesn’t drink because she’s afraid her hands will shake during surgery, so why are you not drinking?”

Emily Luo also looked at Maggie, her expression unreadable. Maggie, smiling harmlessly, replied,

“I have a stomach ulcer.”

She wasn’t intimidated by Qiqi and maintained her composure, which seemed to discomfort the proud Qiqi.

The explanation was sufficient to shut Qiqi up. She grimaced slightly and said,

“Let’s not make excuses.”

Jasmine, aware of her sister’s usually spoiled behavior, intervened to smooth things over,

“Alright, Maggie drove here, so if she can’t drink due to her stomach, let it be.”

Jasmine’s intervention prevented the situation from escalating. Maggie, relatively new to the group, might have been forced to drink, but surprisingly, no one else backed Qiqi up, and the matter was quickly forgotten.

Though Qiqi seemed unhappy, it was a minor issue, and with friends around, the birthday celebration remained the priority. Maggie breathed a sigh of relief and glanced back at Emily Luo, who was also observing her. Emily Luo’s attention was clearly focused on Maggie, and though Maggie raised her eyebrows and smiled, she turned her gaze away.

As the games continued to heat up, the door suddenly burst open with the sound of loud male voices. Jasmine’s expression turned cold, and she immediately stood up and walked out. Everyone’s gaze followed her as a man’s angry voice was heard,

“What’s the matter with you?? Bringing Xingxing to a place like this??”

“What are you shouting about?”

Jasmine’s voice was clearly irritated but deliberately kept low. Maggie recognized that the man was Jasmine’s husband, Leo.

“Look at the time! It’s so late, and you’re still letting Xingxing sleep? Xingxing! Come out! Go home with Daddy!”

The little girl, who had been happily watching the adults, turned pale with fear upon hearing her father’s voice. She shuffled over, calling out to him hesitantly.

Leo seemed to pick up his daughter, who, scared, called out for her mother, making Jasmine even more furious,

“What are you doing!”

Qiqi quickly stepped out, walking over to Leo,

“Brother-in-law! What’s the matter? Why so angry?”

“Oh… Qiqi.”

“It’s my birthday today. Are you here to ruin the party by not showing up and causing a scene?”

With an obviously displeased tone, Leo, somewhat intimidated by his sister-in-law, quieted down. Jasmine and her sister exchanged a few words, and soon, the family of three left.

Throughout the process, no one inside made a sound. The atmosphere grew awkward, and Maggie furrowed her brows. Leo, usually reserved and taciturn at work, was surprisingly violent towards his wife and daughter.