Married a Secret Billionaire
Chapter 1235

"What's wrong?" Nicholas asked, raising his deep voice and narrowing his eyes. "Are you drinking or not?"

Zuko forced a smile and replied, "I'll... I'll drink, of course."

"Then fill the glasses!"

"Sh*t!" Zuko let out a soft gasp. "Uncle Nicholas, slow down!"

He watched as Nicholas brought out two whiskey glasses and filled them to the brim before handing one to him.

Zuko had no choice but to accept it. However, he had never even had vodka straight. It felt more like a glass of alcohol rather than something to savor.

"What's the matter? Scared to drink?" Nicholas raised an eyebrow smugly. "Kid, are you even a man if you can't handle this?"

"Uncle Nicholas-"

"Your father must not have taught you these things!" Nicholas leaned closer to him with a mischievous smile. "A real man drinks this. That's the real deal! Don't learn those fancy habits from your father, thinking you're sophisticated just by sipping red wine and eating fancy tiny dishes. Those rich heir types like him always think they're above everyone else! Come, come, bottoms up!"

Zuko held the glass hesitantly, only to see that Nicholas had already taken a big gulp.

"Ah!" Nicholas sounded quite gratified.

Zuko wanted to laugh but dared not. He tried to copy Nicholas and gulped down the alcohol as well.

"Ah!" His voice was louder.

The scorching sensation felt like a sharp blade that sliced down his throat and chest, burning his stomach.

After a while, he felt a bit lightheaded.

Zuko felt his face burn, but he saw Nicholas offering him another glass. This time, he did not refuse and just drank it up.

Nicholas laughed and also downed his own glass.

When Linda and Lina came back, they were shocked. The bottle of vodka on the table was already empty, and the two men seemed to have had quite a bit to drink. They were laughing with their arms around each other and acting like old friends.

"Nicholas, bro!"

"Buddy!"

"Nick! Allow me to salute you!"

"No need to be polite! From now on, wherever you go, just mention my name! I promise you... It will be more effective than mentioning that old man Zephyr! Hahaha!"

Linda and Lina hurriedly rushed over and pulled them apart, but the two men were reluctant to part. They hastily hugged and looked at the two women as if facing a common enemy. Nicholas glared at them. "What are you two doing?"

"Hush!" Zuko made a shushing gesture and whispered, looking up at Nicholas, "They're definitely jealous of how good our relationship is!"

"Yeah, you make sense, buddy! It's sheer jealousy!"

"Nicholas Thompson!" Linda abruptly grabbed his ear.

The sudden pain brought some clarity to Nicholas' mind. His wife's voice sounded deafening.

"You old fool! Have you got any sense? Zuko's never drunk that kind of liquor since he was little. What if you make him sick from downing it today?

"Besides, he's here to propose marriage. Do you understand what a proposal is? You've embarrassed our daughter!"

"Huh?" Nicholas frowned and blinked, seeming to grasp a little understanding in his muddled mind.

His eyes shot to Zuko. 'Right! Today is the day this young man came to propose, so how did we end up drinking together?' "Zuko, are you alright?" Lina supported him, feeling bad, while Zuko could only smile foolishly with an unfocused gaze. "Zuko, why don't you rest in my room for a while?" Lina asked.

"No!" Nicholas stomped his foot.

Lina was taken aback and let him go. Suddenly, under Nicholas' command, dozens of Thompson bodyguards in black flooded into the living room from every direction, creating an overwhelming presence. Zuko became soberer as well. Seeing he was surrounded and catching a glimpse of Lina's worried and frightened expression, he forgot where he was for a moment. All he could think about was protecting Lina.

He gave her a shove... right into her parents' arms.

"Huh? Uncle lan?" Zuko saw a familiar face and gave him a look.

In spite of it, the alcohol had taken its toll, and his mind was still in a daze. "Uncle lan, you... You're here? What are these people here for?"

lan smiled. "Mr. Zuko, have you forgotten that you came to the Thompsons for a proposal today?"

It took Zuko a moment to connect the fragmented memories and make sense of what had happened before the drinking session.

"But if you want to marry our Thompson heiress, you must show your sincerity," lan said.

Zuko was startled. "Sincerity?"

"According to our rules..."

"You wouldn't ask me to fight all of you..." Zuko counted. "30 people alone, right?"

"Zuko!" Lina hurriedly stepped in front of him. "Uncle lan, take them away quickly! My dad's drunk. Are you tipsy, too?"

lan laughed even more heartily. "Ms. Lina, it looks like you're truly standing up for your husband!"

"Yes!" Lina smiled playfully. "I won't allow anyone to lay a finger on the Thompsons' son-in-law!"

"You've misunderstood!" lan laughed again. "When Nick mentioned sincerity, he definitely didn't mean having your husband fight! Instead..." "Yeah! I mean, am I that rough?" Nichola raised his voice. "I've already moved past the fighting stage!"

Lina helplessly said, "Dad, then what do you want to do?"

The tipsy Nicholas smiled mysteriously and stumbled toward his daughter and son-in-law, lowering his voice to a whisper. "I have a big secret... "Lina, I have a family heirloom... Something that's not usually taken out. An exceptional treasure! Heh! I plan to give it to Zuko!"

"What?" Lina was stunned and subconsciously looked at her mother.

Linda shrugged, looking puzzled, and rolled her eyes at Nicholas. "Lina, don't mind your dad. He's drunk."

Lina teased, "Dad, why don't you keep this family heirloom for me instead? Why give it to him?"

"Silly girl! This family heirloom is passed down only to men! It's because you're a girl!"

"Huh?"

Nicholas smiled. "But I'll let you have a look today!"

He then shouted, "Bring it in!"

Nicholas' men parted to two sides instantly. Four men walked in slowly with uniform steps, the heels of their shoes tapping the ground with a heavy sound as if they were part of a solemn ceremony. Lina furrowed her brows, observing the four men who seemed to be carrying a corner of something each.

As they got closer, she froze.

The family heirloom they brought in was... a washboard!