Chosen By My Mate's Father-in-law
Chapter 29: One Shot Too Many

Chapter 29: Chapter 29: One Shot Too Many

Gasps filled the room.

Even Clarissa gasped. “No! You can’t—!”

But no one moved to defend her. Not even her dad. They couldn’t compete with the pile of evidence gathered by the Gareth Laken.

My heart thudded in my chest. I wanted to chase after him to thank him, but he was already walking away with his guards without a second glance in my direction.

As though what he had done wasn’t even worth mentioning.

The dean gave me a stiff smile. “Miss Lowett, apologies for the turmoil. This is still your big day, go and celebrate. The scholarship is yours.”

I nodded, dazed, and slipped out of the hall, only to be greeted with Mindie’s fierce embrace.

“Jasmine! You did it! Top student! You beat Clarissa fair and square, and she got expelled!” She cheered loudly.

“I... still can’t believe it.”

“Well, believe it,” she said, pulling back. “Gareth tore her apart in front of everyone as though she was a piece of paper,” Mindie gave a reverent sigh. “He crushed her so badly with proof she’ll never be able to bother you again.”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “He didn’t even say anything to me.”

“Did he need to?” Mindie asked, puzzled as she looped her arm through mine. “His actions spoke louder than any words. He totally loves you, Jas.”

“It’s impossible,” I denied it instinctively. Mindie was imagining things.

But Mindie didn’t think so. She pulled me aside, her eyes wide with excitement.

“You seriously don’t get it, do you?” she whispered.

I blinked. “Get what?”

“Jasmine, the second you walked out with the dean, Gareth immediately stormed out with that full Alpha-on-a-mission aura. Two of his men followed immediately, and the others started spreading out like it was some tactical operation.”

I stared at her. “What?”

“He split up his team,” she said. “Two of them left the building right away. The rest spread across campus—one was talking to your professors near admin, another was going through records with security, and one was on the phone like his life depended on it. They even started quietly pulling faculty aside and asking questions. It felt like a full-on crime investigation.”

“And they did all that... for me?” I asked quietly, my heart racing.

“They ran a whole investigation in under thirty minutes,” Mindie said, shaking her head. “They got receipts, timestamps, photos, and chat logs, everything. That file Gareth handed the dean? He didn’t come in with it. They pulled all that together after Clarissa spoke.”

I just stood there, stunned as I remembered him speaking to his phone when I was accused. It turned out that Gareth was trying to find a way to defend me from the accusations.

Gareth believed me.

“But why?” I whispered.

Mindie gave me a look. “Seriously? Do I need to say it again? You’re supposed to be smart!”

“He probably just didn’t want Michelle to be upset,” I said quickly. “She likes me. He wouldn’t want her to be disappointed.”

Mindie nodded perfunctorily. “Uh-huh. And I’m sure he does this for all his other employees. He practically scoured every inch of this university for evidence to clear your name. You don’t go that far unless you’re trying to protect someone who matters to you.”

I tried to speak, but my throat tightened at her words. No. That couldn’t be it because he had feelings for me. I was smart, so I knew my chances of being together with Gareth were next to none. Even if he defended me today...

“Mindie, just drop it,” I said quietly.

Mindie, sensing the shift in my mood, took my hand and tugged me to the campus bar. “Fair enough - only if you promise me you’ll have fun tonight. You just won a scholarship and embarrassed Clarissa in front of the whole school. Let’s go celebrate before you overthink yourself into a coma.”

The campus bar was packed when we stepped in. Music blasting, lights flickering, and bodies moving in every direction. Laughter echoed over the beat of some throwback pop song, and the air smelled like a mix of sweat, beer, and cheap cologne.

A big white banner was strung across the far wall: Sponsored by Laken Corp – Excellence in Education.

I blinked at it.

Mindie snorted. “Subtle.”

I rolled my eyes. “He really does have his hands in everything, doesn’t he?”

“Apparently,” she said, tugging me toward the counter. “But hey, it’s an open bar. Let’s not complain.”

We squeezed our way through the crowd, past a couple making out passionately, a group of guys singing terribly off-key, and someone who was already snoring on a leather couch. We grabbed two plastic cups from the table stacked with drinks.

“To surviving elite-level public humiliation,” I said dryly, lifting my cup.

“To thriving!” Mindie corrected, clinking hers against mine. “Scholarship queen.”

I laughed and downed half the drink. The beer was cold and fizzy, and for the first time all day, I didn’t feel like the floor was going to collapse under me.

We found a half-empty booth near the back and slid in. People were already dancing on chairs. Someone in the corner popped a balloon and three people screamed like it was a gunshot. It was chaos—but the good kind.

“See? This is what you needed,” Mindie said, sipping her drink. “Something brainless and loud.”

“For once, you might be right.”

She grinned, leaning back in the seat. “I’m always right.”

I rolled my eyes, but didn’t argue.

Her phone buzzed a second later. She glanced down, then groaned.

“Seriously? Now?”

“What is it?”

“Professor Mensah,” she muttered. “Probably wants to confirm tomorrow’s debate schedule. I’ll be back in five. Try not to get kidnapped.”

“Not funny,” I called after her, but she was already gone, disappearing into the crowd.

I took another sip and leaned back, letting the noise wash over me.

For a second, I let myself forget the chaos of the day.

Soon after, I turned back to the bar and set down my empty cup, wondering if I should just leave. That’s when I noticed him.

Tall. Sharp suit. Dark eyes. The kind of confidence that came with power and being conscious of it. He leaned casually against the counter, swirling amber liquid in a crystal glass like he had all the time in the world. And his gaze? Already locked on me.

“Jasmine Lowett,” he said smoothly, stepping toward me like we were old friends. “Congratulations.”

I blinked. “Um... thank you?”

“I’m Bryson. Alpha of Silverpine.”

That made me straighten up a little. Alpha?

He noticed my reaction and gave me a slow, amused smile. “Didn’t expect that, huh?”

“I... no, I just didn’t realize alphas attended university award parties.”

“Only the interesting ones,” he replied, his eyes glinting. “And yours? Was very interesting.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You mean the part where I got publicly accused of cheating?”

“No,” he said with a quiet chuckle. “Your composure when it came to handling it was what interested me. And the fun reversal at the end.”

I let out a small laugh. I certainly wasn’t feeling composed at that moment.

“Would you honor me with a toast?” Alpha Bryson asked, sliding a shot glass towards me. “If you don’t think I’m too old to join you.”

I eyed the vodka warily. It was stronger than most liquor I drank, but if I didn’t, I might end up offending Alpha Bryson.

I took the glass, and poured it down my throat. It burned going down, but I managed not to cough.

“Excellent,” Alpha Bryson said with a smile. “I knew you had what it takes.” He then refilled the glass in one quick motion and poured one for himself too. “Now let’s toast to justice, and a well-earned scholarship.”

“I probably shouldn’t...” My voice trailed off at the expectant look in Alpha Bryson’s eyes.

“Just one more shot,” he cajoled, raising his glass. “To justice and a well-earned scholarship! You deserve to celebrate it!”

I sighed. “To justice.”

The alcohol went down my throat more easily the second time around, and Alpha Bryson filled it up again. I would protest but truthfully, my mind was getting a little foggy at the moment. Warmth spread through my chest, and I was sure my cheeks were flushed.

“Drink up, Jasmine,” Alpha Bryson pushed the glass to me. “It’s not every day you win a scholarship. This is going to open many doors for you. You will get what you deserve, someday.”

“Sounds ominous,” I mumbled weakly, shaking my head. It was time for me to leave. But when I tried to stand, the room tilted. My feet barely found the floor before I stumbled into Bryson’s arms.

“Whoa, careful,” he said, holding me tightly. Too tightly.

“Thanks,” I slurred out, trying to pull back.

“You shouldn’t be walking alone,” he said, lips too close. “Come with me. Somewhere quiet. You deserve to relax.”

“I’m fine,” I tried to say, but my voice felt distant.

His grip tightened. His hand slid lower.

“Let me take care of you,” he murmured. “You don’t need to be alone tonight.”

Something felt wrong. My stomach twisted.

“Stop,” I whispered.

He didn’t.

His hand slid even lower, grazing my hip. “Let’s go, Jasmine,” he said. “I’ll take you home and help you forget all about today.”

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