Downstairs, a dead-drunk Hughes was leaning against the sofa, nodding off to sleep, his mouth still muttering something about a case.
Seeing Wood coming down, he immediately reached out his hand and called out loudly: "James! What took you so long up there?"
Wood's expression changed. He walked quickly to Hughes's side and glared. "Keep your voice down, Alex is resting."
Hughes curled his lip, stood up, and walked toward the door. He had drunk too much; his whole body swayed and staggered, his legs tangling together like a duck unable to stand steady.
Wood sighed helplessly, hurriedly following to support his troublesome friend.
He turned his head to look upstairs one last time, his gaze deep, and carefully helped close the front door of Alex's house.
After Wood closed the door, Elias disappeared from the corner of the room in the blink of an eye, shedding his silent disguise and directly materializing beside Alex.
