Chapter 67: Chapter 67: Forced to Drink
After Vivian Linton gave her toast, the heads of the other three studios quickly followed suit.
They also raised their glasses to Manager Langdon, spouting fawning compliments.
Manager Langdon enjoyed it immensely and drank with gusto.
Soon, his face was flushed red and his eyes were glazed over.
"Miss Sinclair?"
When everyone had finished their toasts, Manager Langdon noticed Holly Sinclair hadn’t made a move, so he took the initiative.
Holly Sinclair gave an awkward smile, her face apologetic. "I’m sorry, Manager Langdon, I—"
"We all drank. Holly, if you don’t, Manager Langdon might think you’re disrespecting him."
Vivian Linton spoke in a soft voice, a friendly smile on her face and an innocent "I’m just looking out for you" expression.
Holly Sinclair clenched her fists, fighting with all her might the urge to slap Vivian Linton across the face.
"That’s right, Miss Sinclair, have a drink. This wine isn’t strong."
"Go on and drink, Miss Sinclair. Manager Langdon said that as long as we keep him happy tonight, we can sign the contracts immediately. A win-win for everyone, right?"
"Drink up, drink up. A glass or two won’t hurt."
The other three men also chimed in, urging her to drink.
Holly Sinclair pressed her lips together, saying nothing.
"Miss Sinclair, you won’t do me the honor?"
Seeing Holly Sinclair’s refusal to toast him, Manager Langdon’s face soured.
Holly Sinclair was caught in a difficult position.
Although she had Sonia Sutton’s verbal promise, a partnership like this wasn’t official until the contract was signed.
She couldn’t afford to offend this Manager Langdon right now.
He worked for Sonia Sutton, after all. If he started spouting nonsense to her, then this partnership...
Holly Sinclair picked up her glass. "Manager Langdon, a toast to you!"
With that, she drained the glass in one gulp.
"Miss Sinclair can really hold her liquor!"
Manager Langdon clapped in approval, his greedy gaze fixed on Holly Sinclair’s cheeks, which were rapidly flushing red.
He had been watching her ever since she stepped into the private room.
In his forty-odd years, he had never seen such a beautiful woman.
Vivian Linton was good-looking, sure, but compared to Holly Sinclair, she wasn’t even in the same league.
It was just that Vivian Linton was gentle and demure, clearly the type who knew how to please a man.
"Good things come in pairs! Come on, Holly, let’s toast Manager Langdon again."
Vivian Linton immediately refilled Holly Sinclair’s glass, egging her on.
The others all raised their glasses.
For the sake of the contract, Holly Sinclair could only play along.
After her third glass, Holly Sinclair stood up—
"Excuse me, I’m going to the restroom."
She didn’t use the one inside the private room, choosing instead to go to the public restroom outside.
She needed some fresh air.
If she stayed in that room any longer, she’d be drunk in no time.
Watching Holly Sinclair’s back as she left the room, a vicious, cold smile spread across Vivian Linton’s lips.
"Manager Langdon, when Holly gets back, you should have a few more drinks with her. She can really hold her liquor, you know."
Fighting back her disgust, Vivian Linton leaned closer to Manager Langdon and spoke in a low voice only he could hear.
"Is that so?" Manager Langdon’s heart leaped with joy.
As the saying goes: if the woman isn’t drunk, how’s a man supposed to get his chance?
"I’m her best friend. I know her better than anyone."
Vivian Linton poured Manager Langdon another drink, saying casually, "She’s a great girl. Her only flaw is that she likes to take shortcuts with everything..."
"She even said before that as long as she could sign the contract with you, she’d do anything... Oh dear, why am I saying all this? I’m sorry, Manager Langdon, I think I’m a little drunk..."
As she spoke, Vivian Linton held her forehead, pretending to be unable to hold her liquor.
’Take shortcuts...’
’Do anything...’
Manager Langdon knew how to pick up on the important details.
His eyes lit up at her words.
He thought tonight would be a bust, but now there was an unexpected bonus.
The thought of Holly Sinclair’s otherworldly beautiful face made a wicked fire ignite within Manager Langdon.
He had no interest in hearing whatever else Vivian Linton said. His mind was completely consumed with how he was going to get Holly Sinclair to "do anything" with him later...
His mind ran wild with lewd thoughts.
「...」
After three glasses of wine, Holly Sinclair was a little dizzy.
She spent twenty minutes in the public restroom before slowly making her way back to the private room.
When she went in, she was surprised to find only Manager Langdon left.
"Manager Langdon, where is everyone else?"
Holly Sinclair walked forward, asking with a frown.
"They signed their contracts and left."
Manager Langdon’s lecherous gaze landed on Holly Sinclair’s face, cold and slimy like a viper, making her skin crawl with disgust.
Hearing this, Holly Sinclair quickly said, "Then Manager Langdon, what about SH’s contract...?"
"What’s the rush, Miss Sinclair? We haven’t had nearly enough to drink yet."
Manager Langdon placed two glasses of wine directly in front of Holly Sinclair, a malicious grin on his face.
Holly Sinclair politely refused. "I’m sorry, Manager Langdon, I’m not a good drinker—"
"Are you kidding me? Your best friend said you can hold your liquor just fine. Stop making excuses. You just don’t want to give me any face, is that it?"
Manager Langdon grew angry, his expression turning vicious as he snapped.
"Best friend?" Holly Sinclair froze.
"Miss Sinclair, contracts are signed over drinks. This whole act of yours is pointless." Manager Langdon kept trying to shove the glass into Holly Sinclair’s hand.
"Are you talking about Vivian Linton?" Holly Sinclair asked stubbornly, gritting her teeth.
"Enough crap! Drink! If you don’t drink today, this contract isn’t getting signed."
But Manager Langdon didn’t answer her directly. His mind was focused on how to get her to drink until she was drunk.
Holly Sinclair swallowed her anger. "Manager Langdon, I really can’t drink..."
"I’m trying to be nice and you’re being shameless, is that it?"
SLAP!
Manager Langdon suddenly slammed his palm on the table, flying into a rage.
Holly Sinclair jumped in fright.
Her pretty face darkened. She shot to her feet and said unhappily, "Please have some respect!"
"Respect?"
Manager Langdon looked as if he’d just heard the funniest joke in the world, his words dripping with contempt and ridicule. "Heh, why are you playing the virgin? I’ve seen plenty of women like you who love to take shortcuts. Don’t play hard to get with me. As long as the price is right, you’ll do it in any position—"
Holly Sinclair turned to leave.
"Stop!"
Manager Langdon rushed forward and grabbed Holly Sinclair’s arm, bellowing, "Where do you think you’re going? Did I say you could leave?"
"Let go!"
Holly Sinclair’s brow furrowed deeply. The stench of alcohol on Manager Langdon made her stomach churn.
"Stop pretending. Just be a good girl and take care of me, and this contract is yours..." Manager Langdon leered as he closed in on Holly Sinclair.
A wave of panic hit Holly Sinclair.
She had been drinking and felt dizzy and weak. Plus, Manager Langdon weighed nearly two hundred pounds...
She was definitely no match for him.
Holly Sinclair didn’t dare hesitate. She threw off Manager Langdon’s hand and ran for the door.
She had just pulled the door open a crack.
SLAM!
The next second, Manager Langdon, who had caught up to her, viciously slammed it shut.
SLAP!
Seeing that Holly Sinclair dared to run, Manager Langdon raised his hand and struck her across the face.
Holly Sinclair saw stars from the impact.
Her cheek immediately stung with a burning pain, and a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.
"You damn bitch! You just had to do this the hard way, didn’t you?!"
Manager Langdon cursed loudly, grabbing Holly Sinclair and flinging her forcefully.
Holly Sinclair fell onto the sofa.
The world was spinning.
By now, Manager Langdon was completely consumed by lust. A wicked smile on his face, he advanced on Holly Sinclair step by step.
He had used his position to coerce women many times before.
So he was sure that Holly Sinclair was no different from the others, and that he would get what he wanted.
"What... what do you think you’re doing?"
Holly Sinclair turned pale with fright. She glared warily at Manager Langdon, shrinking back continuously.
"Heh heh."
