After I was thrown into the storage room, the leader of the men in black looked at me with a hint of pity.
“You’re too kind. It would be best for you to stay away from Ms. Norris and her people.”
I looked up at him and gently shook my head.
I still had a debt of blood to collect for my child. I would not leave like this.
***
After finishing my packing, I walked into the lobby and ran straight into Dustin. His eyes lit up when he saw me.
“Faye, I knew you wouldn’t forget. Tonight, we’re signing the tens-million deal with the Spencer Group. Giselle’s allergic rhinitis is acting up, so she can’t drink. We’ll need you.”
Before I could respond, he pushed me toward the car.
“Faye, I know the Spencer Family is difficult, but Giselle has also put in a lot for this project. After the signing, I hope you’ll step back and let her take the lead.”
Before getting out of the car, he grabbed my arm and said each word clearly.
I let out a cold laugh.
“Oh? What exactly has she contributed? Did she stay up all night revising the proposal? Or follow the project on-site?”
He clearly didn’t expect me to push back. He stared at me for a few seconds.
“Faye, being this stingy isn’t suitable for a mother.”
I smiled faintly.
Right. I just won’t treat you like my child anymore.
“Dustin, you’re finally here. I’ve been waiting for you for so long.”
Giselle’s voice came over. She was wearing a custom Dior gown and a full set of Bulgari jewelry. She looked flawless like a doll locked inside a glass display.
My gaze paused briefly on her ears, stretched downward by heavy ten-carat gemstone earrings and curled my lips into a cold smile. So, this was her “sacrifice” for the project.
As we entered the banquet hall, the head of the Spencer family approached us with a glass of wine.
“Ms. Watson, Mr. Arnell. Long time no see.”
I smiled and raised my glass. “Sorry I haven’t visited lately, Mr. Spencer. I hope you won’t mind.”
“Mr. Arnell, Ms. Watson hasn’t been in a good mood lately. Please allow me to apologize on her behalf,” Giselle cut in gently as she lifted her own glass.
The head of the Spencer Family looked at her with interest but said nothing. Giselle looked to Dustin for help.
He sighed, took the glass from her hand and passed it to me.
“Faye, it would be more sincere if you apologized personally.”
My heart sank. The glass was nearly full of straight whiskey.
Half a month ago, I had drunk myself into a stomach perforation for work. He had held me that night and promised I would never have to touch alcohol again.
Now, the same man was forcing a full glass into my hand.
The man before me seemed to sense the tension and smiled.
“I was just joking with Ms. Watson. No need to be so serious. I’ve already signed the contract. From now on, I’ll be relying on Ms. Watson.”
Giselle stared at him in disbelief. The man who was said to be the hardest to deal with had signed so easily with me.
A sharp light flashed through her eyes.
“Faye, you’re amazing. Dustin and I have already prepared a celebration dinner for you,” she said warmly as she linked arms with me and almost dragged me into another private room.
As soon as I entered, I saw many business competitors who had lost bids to me before.
“Faye, everyone here wants to learn from you. You won’t be stingy with your experience, right?” she said, locking the private room door behind her.
“Move,” I shouted sharply.
But she calmly sat on the sofa and raised her eyebrows. Soon, four unfamiliar men pushed me down onto the sofa.
“I’ve heard Ms. Watson can drink endlessly without getting drunk. I wonder if we’ll get to see that tonight.”
Someone I had reported three years ago for cutting corners placed an entire box of XO on the table.
I looked around at the cruel smiling faces in despair. Then, the door opened. It was Dustin.
Giselle immediately leaned into him, pressing her chest against his arm.
“Dustin, didn’t you say Faye is incredible at drinking? Can she teach me? Then I can help you more in the future.”
I shook my head at him desperately. “I can’t drink.”
After seeing the hesitation in his eyes, Giselle clutched her chest and said pitifully, “You still don’t believe I can be as capable as Faye. That hurts.”
Dustin looked at me and gritted his teeth.
“Faye, drink.”
After taking so many glasses, the sky outside began to brighten. And my mind was completely numb.
The last thing I remembered was Giselle’s beautiful, snake-like smile.
“Faye, enjoy what comes next.”
She tapped something on her phone. And then, I lost consciousness completely.
