Chapter 4
+15 BONUS
“What?” I froze for a moment. “I don’t drink.”
“You can’t not drink! When you enter society, you have to learn how to drink.” Leah casually pushed a small glass into my hand,
filling it to the brim, all the while wearing a look of an older sister who knew better. “If you don’t know how to drink, well, after
you take a sip, you’ll know how, won’t you?”
Before me, there was another girl who had been introduced to all the higher–ups in the same way, almost as if she were being
cherished, and then forced to drink round after round. She was allergic to alcohol, and she’d made it very clear beforehand, yet
she was still pressured to drink, and in the end, she had to be rushed to the hospital. Sure enough, not long after, she quit her job.
That happened two years ago. I never imagined I’d be next in line so soon.
I felt miserable inside, but with everyone staring at me, and Leah smiling expectantly, I had no choice but to play along.
“Loren, there are so many big shots watching you. You should make a good impression.”
I steeled myself, preparing to gulp it down in one go.
Just then, a hand reached over and took the glass from my hand. “If she doesn’t drink, don’t force her.”
It was Benedict.
Leah blinked in surprise, quickly plastering on a smile. “Oh, Mr. Thompson, you’re here! I remember you used to hate these kinds
of events.”
Benedict, however, looked at her with a serious expression. “Why are you making her drink when she doesn’t want to?”
People around us exchanged looks, avoiding getting involved in this.
Leah hesitated, trying to save face. “I didn’t force her. She was the one who wanted to drink.”
Everyone knew what had happened, but without any surveillance footage, Benedict didn’t push the matter further. Instead, he gave her a long, piercing look. “Don’t let it happen again.”
Leah’s smile faltered, and she was about to say something else when Benedict grabbed my arm and turned to leave.
When Benedict showed up, I immediately sensed trouble. As he pulled me away, I instinctively tried to push him away, but after a
brief hesitation, I followed him.
He led me to a quiet spot far from the entrance of the building, then fell silent.
I glanced at him secretly. His face seemed full of regret.
He probably felt like he had acted too impulsely.
