Overprotected By My Tsundere CEO

Chapter 474 - 280: Tavern Disturbance (Part 2) – A Song of "Strong Alcohol", Heartbroken to Pieces

"Uncle, want to sing a song?"

Benjamin Durant asked this, not intentionally looking for trouble.

Longplains Tavern also has a branch in Anchel, a place specifically for tourists and backpackers to rest and entertain. When it first opened, a bunch of folk singers were hired, and Matt Leung was one of them.

When in Anchel, Nora Scott quite liked going to Longplains Tavern, to snack on some fruits, listen to folk songs, and perhaps pick up some information.

Nora Scott met Matt Leung at Longplains Tavern.

Matt Leung was a peculiar person, seen by most as somewhat reclusive and introverted, but actually, he was quite talkative and humorous when with Nora.

He was very talented and had written many songs himself. Occasionally, he sang them in the tavern, and when Nora was in the mood, she’d put on a mask, get on stage, and cover Matt’s folk songs. Every time she performed, even with a mask, she drew a large crowd, and the tavern was always packed.

Looking back, since Matt Leung passed away, Nora Scott never stepped into Longplains Tavern again, and neither Benjamin Durant nor Humphrey Jennings heard her sing folk songs.

Throwing a peanut into her mouth, Nora propped her head lazily, gazing at the stage.

Her pupils, in the stage lights, were variably deep and shallow, in different hues.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Benjamin Durant pondered if he said something wrong, then he heard Nora’s calm response, "Sure."

Two lazy, nonchalant words, like casually agreeing to be a guest.

"Sing one of Matt’s songs?"

Benjamin Durant immediately leaned in.

"Yeah."

"You okay with that?"

Glancing sideways at him, Nora asked back, "What could be wrong?"

Benjamin Durant: "..."

Afraid it might bring back memories for you.

Thinking this but not daring to say it out loud, Benjamin Durant kept it to himself.

After tossing another peanut into her mouth, Nora clapped her hands and stood up, "I’ll go get ready."

"Alright."

Benjamin Durant beamed with delight.

Fingers hooked on her sunglasses, Nora put one hand in her pocket, strolling leisurely backstage.

Meanwhile, Benjamin Durant started chatting with Humphrey Jennings.

"I bet she’ll sing ’Strong Alcohol’," Benjamin Durant said gleefully, tapping the table with a curled finger, "it’s her favorite."

Humphrey Jennings took out a cigarette, putting it in his mouth, and said leisurely, "I’ll bet too."

"..."

Benjamin Durant glanced at Marcus Shaw.

Marcus Shaw understood his implication, but replied quite indifferently, "Haven’t heard it, not betting."

Snorting, Benjamin Durant sized up Marcus Shaw for a moment, "Kid, your annoying temper is just like your sister’s."

Looking at him with mild indifference, Marcus Shaw said in a calm tone, "Say that in front of her."

"..."

Benjamin Durant was at a loss for words.

*

Not far away.

Glenn Flynn sat alone at a table, with several bottles of beer, half-empty in front of him.

The singer came down from the stage, and though there was some commotion around, he ignored it, finished a glass of beer, and refilled his glass from the bottle.

"Knew you’d be here."

A deep voice suddenly came from the side, the tone carrying a hint of casual ease.

Pausing mid-raise of his glass, Glenn Flynn turned his head slightly to the side, catching a glimpse of Ethan Scott’s proud figure out of the corner of his eye. For just a second, he withdrew his gaze, remaining indifferent, not inclined to look more.

A bit tipsy, Glenn Flynn glanced at the beer in his hand, without drinking, and looked towards the stage, "What’s Master Scott doing here?"

"Couldn’t reach you, so I got a few friends to stake out upstairs."

Taking a couple of steps forward, Ethan Scott pulled out a chair and sat down, then stared at Glenn Flynn with a smile, "Didn’t expect to actually run into you on a walk around."

Glenn Flynn looked at him, chuckled lightly, said nothing, and took a sip of beer.

Ethan Scott picked up a beer bottle, used the opener to pop off the cap, and poured himself a glass.

His posture was relaxed yet elegant, holding the glass as if it were a wine glass, giving it a gentle swirl.

With his gaze fixed on Glenn Flynn, Ethan Scott smiled, "You’ve got an eye for places; the ambiance here is indeed nice. Much better than the typical bar."

"Master Scott is being kind," Glenn Flynn said coolly, "people of our class can only afford places like this."

At his words, Ethan Scott’s expression softened slightly, stopping the pretense, and asked, "Still upset?"

Half a month ago, Ethan Scott had invited Glenn Flynn for drinks and Glenn agreed.

But Glenn didn’t show up, and Ethan had a bit too much, chatting with friends, implicating a slight disdain for Glenn’s background.

——While Glenn’s family was indeed well-off by ordinary standards, they were nothing impressive among the affluent second-generation crowd.

Moreover, Glenn was hard to invite—agreeing only once for every three invitations—and Ethan held some grudge, so he aired his grievances in that conversation.

Unexpectedly, Glenn arrived just in time to hear it all.

Afterward, no matter how Ethan invited Glenn, Glenn always came up with excuses to decline.

Learning that Glenn often visited this tavern on weekends, Ethan specifically booked a private room on the second floor with a few friends, hoping to catch Glenn here.

"What Master Scott said was true," Glenn said indifferently.

"Don’t take it to heart."

"No worries."

Glenn nonchalantly responded and then raised his glass to him.

Ethan Scott was momentarily taken aback but followed suit, clinking their glasses with a crisp sound, and they both downed their beers in one gulp.

The earlier awkwardness seemed to dissipate quite a bit.

"Wow—"

"Beautiful lady!"

"New performer?"

"Is she not showing her face?"

...

Suddenly, the crowd stirred noisily.

Ethan Scott and Glenn heard the commotion and simultaneously looked up, their eyes landing on the stage.

A woman had appeared onstage, but nobody knew when she arrived.

She wasn’t elaborately dressed, just wearing black jeans and a white long-sleeved top, simple yet casual, but her slender, well-proportioned long legs, a slim waist, and two fine arms—all these lines and curves caught the eye.

In her arms was a guitar, and sunglasses sat on her nose, concealing most of her face, leaving only a delicate nose and lips, as well as a smooth and elegant jawline visible.

Her hair was down, and a white light shone from behind her, casting a semi-silhouette over her entire person, illuminating her outline while her features remained shrouded in shadow.

Her fingers plucked the steel strings of the guitar.

As soon as the guitar music started, the chatter gradually subsided.

After a brief prelude, the woman began to sing:

"I wander in the northwest wind, and suddenly, I think of you..."

Her voice was lazy and cool, yet mixed with a clear and pure texture.

This song, called "Strong Alcohol," had a slow and leisurely rhythm, unfolding a story like a silky narrative, where the strong alcohol burned one’s senses briefly but required a long night to sober up.

After a few lines, people suddenly began to discuss.

"This sounds good, what’s this song?"

"I’ve heard it before... wait, I even saw a video online. A year or two ago, the video was quite popular in the folk music circle."

"’Strong Alcohol,’ sung by a folk singer named Matt Leung."

"I remember now; I think I saw it too. Wasn’t it a woman wearing a mask in the video?"

"Not sure. The version circulated was sung by a woman. This new performer seems to be imitating. Their voice timbre is quite similar."

...

Glenn was suddenly entranced as the prelude started, staring dazedly at the woman on stage, as if through light and shadow, he could glimpse another figure.

—"Glenn, this song is called ’Strong Alcohol,’ right? The lyrics aren’t finished yet."

—"Glenn, I have to leave. Going back home. Take care of yourself."

—"Do you want me to return to Seal City? I’ll come if you nod."

Matt Leung.

He watched, lost in thought, recalling some hidden past, not even realizing his eyes had unconsciously reddened.

"Click."

As the song on stage reached its end, Glenn’s attention was pulled back.

Ethan Scott’s face darkened with rage, fury reflected in his eyes, seemingly ready to burst at any moment.

The glass in his hand shattered under his grip.

The veins on the back of his hand bulged.

He was staring intently at the stage as though glaring at someone with whom he had a deep-seated enmity.

"Master Scott?"

Glenn, puzzled, called out to him.

Ethan Scott didn’t hear him, instead gritting his teeth and uttering each word slowly: "Nora, Scott."

Nora Scott!

Glenn’s eyes widened in realization, his gaze returning to the stage in shock—

No wonder there was a sense of familiarity.

The silhouette and voice definitely resembled Nora Scott.

No, it was her.

Glenn suddenly understood why Ethan Scott was seething with anger—

Nora Scott had caused a scene at the Scott family banquet; swindled three million from Ethan Scott; got him hospitalized from a beating, and had him entangled in negative news...

Recently, all of Ethan Scott’s misfortunes were pretty much due to Nora Scott.

Seeing her now naturally fueled his rage.

On stage.

After finishing the song, the audience began to clamor.

"Encore!"

"Beautiful lady, take off your sunglasses!"

"It sounded good, sing another one!"

...

However, Nora Scott didn’t respond. Instead, she picked up her guitar, stood up, and left the narrow stage.

At the same time, Ethan Scott stood up.