226 The Fourth of July party 11

The commotion with McKenzie was cleared relatively quickly.

The police were called, McKenzie was taken to the side and guarded by the security, and her parents followed in silence.

Security guards held onto the four bags of cocaine which came from McKenzie's purse and they waited for the police to come and collect the evidence as well as to take statements. Well, more like to make copies of the videos from the guests who recorded the whole thing.

Mrs. Bolton tried getting to Oliver and Lewis. She wanted to ask them for clarification related to the whole situation, but she was unable to find them and their parents didn't know where they are either. Actually, their parents knew that Oliver and Lewis left the party, but after hearing what McKenzie did and that Oliver and Lewis have nothing to do with it, they didn't want to associate themselves with the Bolton family. McKenzie getting in trouble with Andersons is one thing, but Mrs. Bolton was looking for Oliver and Lewis with and intention to drag them into this mess. There is no way their parents will allow for that to happen.

Nathan was on top of the situation, talking to the police and making sure the guests are not disturbed.

Madeline used this opportunity to pull Max and Liz to the side. She needed an explanation, and she got it.

After their talk with Madeline, Max and Liz joined Mia, Hunter, Quentin, and Brianna, and they chatted happily.

Nathan and Madeline said that they will talk with their lawyer first before deciding what charges to file against McKenzie related to her repeated attacks on their family.

Madeline joined Nathan and they escorted the police together. Even without Andersons filing any charges, McKenzie was in handcuffs, under arrest for possession of an illegal substance with an intent to distribute.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Bolton panicked. Intent to distribute? Their daughter is not a drug dealer!

The police officer who put McKenzie in the back of the police cruiser explained that the charge is determined based on the amount of cocaine in possession. She had more than one gram, and that is considered too much for a user. By law, it means that she is in the category of someone who will distribute it.

When the police left (with Mr. and Mrs. Bolton following behind), Madeline and Nathan returned to the party.

Both of them looked at Liz and Max with an approval obvious in their expressions.

"She will be an excellent wife to Max.", Madeline said with glee. "Do you know that she has the recording of Zi admitting to everything, and even a photo of Zi putting drugs into her drink? But she didn't expose that because it's taken without permission and can be dismissed in the court. However, she manipulated Zi into admitting everything publicly. An amazing young woman."

Nathan agreed. After the incident in Hawaii, Nathan and Madeline wanted to talk to McKenzie's parents, but they reluctantly agreed to let Max and Liz handle it. Nathan has to admit that if they did it his way, McKenzie's parents would apologize and the whole incident would be hidden under the rug while McKenzie would get away with a scolding at most.

Like this, with everyone hearing, watching, and recording, McKenzie's parents can't protect her. Even if they manipulate the judge so that she avoids going to jail, society will not be forgiving. She will be forever labeled as someone who attempted murder, twice.

Nathan exhaled. "Elizabeth is outstanding. Let's hope Max does not mess it up."

"You know… if she gets pregnant, that will seal the deal.", Madeline said in a whisper.

Nathan snorted. "Don't go there again…" He didn't want to talk about this. Madeline can get carried away easily. "I'm going back to the parlor. Behave."

Madeline blinked and watched Nathan walk away. Did he just tell her to behave?

…

At the bar…

Sabrina and Jackson are sitting on the barstools and sipping drinks while observing the commotion.

"That is quite a spectacle…", Jackson said to Sabrina in amusement.

"Yeah, Max's girlfriend knows how to attract attention.", Sabrina responded and narrowed her eyes at Jackson. "I hear that she got your attention. Why can't you keep it in your pants?"

Jackson realized that Sabrina is talking about Hawaii. He wondered, how does she know about it?

"At that time, I didn't know that she is Max's girlfriend."

Sabrina shook her head in disapproval. "Jack, you knew that we are staying at that resort. So far, you were fairly good at keeping your conquests away from the eyes and ears of my family. I agreed to be engaged to you, but if you are fooling around recklessly and my family finds out about it, that changes things."

Jackson observed Sabrina's defiant expression for a few seconds before asking: "How is you flirting with that man different from me flirting with Elizabeth?"

Sabrina was confused. "What man?"

"The one you were with when I arrived."

Sabrina realized that he is talking about Ashton. "Ashton and I were not flirting. It's called dancing. We spoke for more than an hour and he was nothing other than respectful."

Jack smiled smugly. "You can deny it if you want, but I saw how you are looking at each other."

Sabrina mimicked his smile. "That is how two people who are enjoying the conversation look like. You should try it. Find someone who has the same interests as you instead of clinging onto me."

Jack's eyes flashed in realization. "You like him."

Sabrina denied it. "Stop spouting nonsense…"

"Why else would you be this, rebellious?"

Sabrina was irritated. "Fine. Let's say I like him. What will you do about it?"

Jack's smile fell and he reminded her: "We have a deal. Did you forget what I went through? And I still live with it daily?"

Sabrina nodded in agreement and added: "I didn't forget. But that deal includes that we keep the pretense of a happily engaged couple which means that you will not attempt seducing a woman during a weekend in Hawaii which my family paid for."

Jack gritted his teeth and stood up from the stool. "I see that your mood is off, so I will take my leave. Tell your parents I said hi."

He leaned closer and planted a light kiss on Sabrina's cheek before turning his back on her.

Sabrina watched Jack walk away and she sighed while wondering, what is wrong with him? So far they got along well, like partners. But today he is unpleasant.

She sipped her drink and thought about her conversation with Jackson. It was not about the context. This was more about how Jackson made her feel. And he made her feel uncomfortable. When he left, she was relieved.

Sabrina remembered what Liz told her, about the possibility that Jackson is faking it. It's not that she didn't think about that earlier, but now the topic is back on her mind.

She doesn't like that as soon as she hinted that she might like someone (aka Ashton), Jack reminded her that they have a deal and about his epilepsy. What about all the girls Jack is sleeping with? How can that be fine, and her dancing with Ashton suddenly becomes flirting?

The more Sabrina thought about it, the more her anger swelled. If Jackson is here, she would give him a piece of her mind! But he is not at the party and the unpleasant feeling he brought with him is still lingering.

Sabrina remembered that she was enjoying her chat with Ashton. He was interested in what she has to say, and he was really listening and asking questions and he valued her opinion. And part of her craved to feel that carefree happiness again.

Sabrina stood up and made her way through the guests, not sure what she is doing, or where she is going, and she surprised herself when she stopped three steps behind Ashton.

Jake nudged Aston and gestured for him to turn around.

Ashton turned and paused at the sight of Sabrina. He wanted to say something, but his mouth was full of meat (from the kebob he is holding onto).

Sabrina observed Ashton who looked like a chipmunk with his cheeks swelled from food and she burst into a laugh. Yes, this is what she needed. A company where she can say what is on her mind and laugh without fear of being judged.

Ashton wished for a vanishing spell. So that he can vanish, at least until he swallows the food from his mouth.

Ashton thought of spitting it out, and he probably would do it if he is not at this fancy party facing Sabrina.

He chewed at super high speed and swallowed everything in two big gulps, almost choking in the process. But he washed it down with a beer which Mike handed him.

He cleared his throat awkwardly before asking coolly: "What can I do for you?"

Ashton was not sure if Jack is still around or not, so he didn't dare act too friendly. It's not that he fears Jackson, but he does not want to cause any unnecessary trouble for Sabrina.

"Uhm…" Sabrina didn't know how to answer this. She wanted to talk to him, but now that he is two steps away, she finds how that request is awkward. But she thought of something… "How about you let me do something for you? I am free now, and if you are willing, we can check out your place and discuss design ideas and be back in time for fireworks."

Ashton's eyes widened. He was not sure he heard her right. "My place?"

"If it's inconvenient, feel free to say 'no'. I just thought…"

Ashton blinked. "No, no! It's fine. Now is perfect." There is no way that he will miss an opportunity to spend some alone time with Sabrina. Then he does not need to worry about Jackson or anyone else.

He robotically placed the half-eaten kebob on the plate on the table.

"Hey! You ate that and you put it over untouched pieces!", Derek complained.

Jake nudged him to be quiet.

Mike pulled Ashton's sleeve and offered him the car keys.

"You carpooled here?", Sabrina asked Ashton.

Ashton confirmed. "With Mike's car."

Sabrina took the keys from Aston's hand and threw them back to Mike who caught them in one smooth move.

"We will take my car. Come, let's go to the garage…"

Derek, Jake, and Mike exchanged glances and smiled at the sight of Ashton walking after Sabrina in a daze.

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