Chapter 200 Chapter 199-Party Turmoil (2nd update, Cheer me with Power Stones!)
Emma responded with a touch of irony, "If you're so interested, why not give it a shot?"
Fiona grinned confidently, "No thanks. Dating a trust fund kid is more trouble than it's worth. I'm not interested in being someone's arm candy. Besides, there's a dark vibe about Eric that I just can't stand."
Emma and Fiona clinked their glasses together, both wearing smiles, "I feel the same way..."
The whispered conversation between Fiona and Emma didn't escape Eric's sharp eyes.
In fact, from the moment this banquet began, Eric's gaze had been fixated on Emma.
Observing the serene calm in her features, a raging fury bubbled within him.
This infuriating woman, fully aware of his deep affection, had always treated him with such indifference.
Even the extravagantly expensive roses he once sent, filling an entire car, had gone unaccepted.
She used the absurd excuse of not dating during college to fend him off, only to live with another man outside.
The mere thought of Emma, lost in the embrace of another man, sent waves of anger through Eric, making him want to tear her apart.
When had he, the esteemed Eric, ever been made to feel this way before?
Any woman he'd ever shown interest in had quickly succumbed to his wealth, willingly disrobing to join him in bed.
With these thoughts churning inside, Eric suddenly lifted his glass.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, he approached Emma.
But he'd cleverly masked his fury, presenting a facade of cultured calm. "Emma, it's been a while. How about a drink, just the two of us?"
Emma looked up, her eyes untroubled and calm. "I'm sorry, I don't drink," she replied simply.
A strained smile pulled at the corners of Eric's mouth.
Trying to appear casual, he responded, "We're all adults here. A drink shouldn't be an issue, right? Besides, haven't you gone out drinking with your dorm mates before?"
Emma's gaze suddenly shifted to the girls she shared her dormitory with.
Her eyes turned sharp. The girls collectively averted their gaze, guilt evident on their faces.
With a cold, measured laugh, Emma said, "Sorry, I've recently quit drinking."
The smile on Eric's face became even more forced, now tainted with a discernible hint of menace.
He had never expected Emma to publicly put him in such an awkward position.
As Eric's glare darkened, a palpable tension spread through the room.
Those who were closely associated with Eric, his loyal henchmen, remained anxiously silent.
They knew all too well the tempestuous nature of his temperament.
Though he appeared as a refined and easygoing young man on the surface, there was a chilling cruelty hidden deep within Eric's bones.
On regular days, he'd frequently shout orders at his subordinates, resorting to either verbal abuse or physical assault.
Yet, thanks to his substantial wealth and lavish spending habits, these followers willingly sacrificed what little dignity they had for money.
They willingly bowed to Eric's every command, working tirelessly at his beck and call.
As the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, Eric remained standing in front of Emma, still holding his glass, as if he wouldn't leave unless she shared a drink with him.
Emma, equally obstinate, absentmindedly played with her fingers, seemingly ignoring his presence.
A flamboyantly dressed girl nearby giggled behind her hand, "Oh my, our campus beauty, Emma, couldn't possibly be feeling shy, could she? Eric seldom drinks one-on-one with anyone. You should give him this bit of face..."
Lifting her eyelids, Emma coolly responded, "If you're so keen on drinking, why don't you join Eric yourself?"
The flamboyant girl gave an awkward smile, quickly lowering her head to hide the resentment in her eyes.
Eric spoke up again, "Emma, after all these years as classmates, can't you even grant me this small gesture?"
After a moment's thought, Emma picked up her own beverage and softly said, "I'll skip the alcohol. If you don't mind, we can toast with this drink instead..."
Eric's gaze fixed intently on her as he murmured, "What if I insist you have a drink of alcohol?"
Emma's face remained impassive, "I'm sorry, but my boyfriend doesn't allow me to drink."
With that single sentence, Eric was utterly shut down.
He tugged at his collar, visibly agitated, and just as he was about to retort, Emma calmly added, "Also, please refer to me by my full name. Don't call me 'Emma'. We aren't familiar to that extent..."
At this, Eric's expression turned even more sullen.
Sensing the mounting tension, Fiona quickly stood up to mediate, "Oh come on, what's going on here? We're all good friends; why sour the mood? How about this: since Emma won't drink, I'll drink on her behalf."
Taking the initiative, Fiona raised her glass, clinking it against Eric's.
Seeing Eric's unmoving expression, Fiona lightly chuckled, "Surely you won't deny your senior this small courtesy, right Eric?"
Taking a deep breath, Eric gradually regained his composure.
Perhaps he realized that maintaining this standoff in public wasn't wise.
Thus, opting for a graceful exit, he managed a forced smile, "Of course, I'm honored to share a drink with my senior."
With that, he drained his glass and returned to his seat.
Everyone around could easily sense the turmoil in Eric's mood at that moment.
Not a single person dared to approach him for conversation.
Emma remained seated, her face inscrutable, sipping her drink as if the recent altercation had nothing to do with her.
At that point, some neutral classmates swiftly diverted the topic, effectively easing the atmosphere.
As the night progressed and the effects of alcohol began to take hold, the group of young men and women gradually let their guards down.
They cheerfully exchanged toasts, and the ambiance became lively once again.
Eric, seemingly unaffected by the earlier incident, kept a smile on his face as he continuously raised his glass with his cronies.
Each time, he'd drain his drink in one go.
But as more alcohol made its way into his system, a glazed look began to cloud his eyes, hinting at impending intoxication.
The flatterers around him were quick to sing praises of his impressive alcohol tolerance.
As time passed, the cronies around Eric discreetly gave up their seats.
Some female classmates naturally gravitated towards him.
The most attentive among them was the flamboyant girl who had earlier tried to persuade Emma to drink.
Whatever she whispered into Eric's ear had him bursting into hearty laughter, and the distance between them noticeably diminished.
Emma sat on the other side, observing the scene from a distance.
A subtle glint of distaste flickered in her eyes.
Out of the blue, someone brought up the idea of heading out for a karaoke party.
The proposal was met with overwhelming approval from the majority.
Eric burst into laughter and declared, "Perfect! There's a top-notch business lounge just upstairs.
It boasts the best sound systems and interiors.
Let's head there right after dinner..."
The crowd applauded, heaping praises upon Eric.
For them, all still students, such an upscale place would have been out of reach if not for Eric's influence.
At this juncture, Emma whispered to Fiona beside her, "You all can go ahead; I'm heading home after this..."
Fiona, her eyes slightly clouded from alcohol, looked surprised.
"Aren't you joining us? I remember you once participated in the campus singing competition. You could showcase your talent later..."
Emma shook her head slowly yet firmly, "I'm not going. I don't enjoy such atmospheres..."
Fiona, putting on a pouty face, draped an arm around Emma's shoulder.
"Come on, do it for your senior... Look around; they're all my juniors. We share the closest bond here. It'd be awkward for me to go alone without you."
Emma was torn.
As much as she wanted to decline, Fiona's puppy-dog eyes made it hard.
Fiona whispered teasingly, "I know what's on your mind. You just don't want any association with a gathering arranged by Eric, right? But hey, it's not just the two of you. Look at all these classmates around... And honestly, someone like Eric? He's the sort that takes advantage whenever he can."
With hands folded over her chest, Fiona pleaded, "I've always wanted to see what such a place looks like. Please accompany me just this once, will you?"
Emma chuckled, defeated. "Alright, alright. You're impossible to turn down."
Seeing Emma relent, Fiona cheered, "Knew it! Our Emma's the best... Don't worry, I'll drink for you tonight."
Emma arched a delicate brow, "Perhaps, drink less? It's not a good look for a girl to be drunk."
Fiona patted her chest confidently, "Don't worry about me. My tolerance is legendary."
Soon after, dinner concluded.
Eric signaled a waiter, asking him to reserve the largest room upstairs.
A slightly tipsy group of young men and women trailed behind the waiter, heading upstairs.
The opulent private club, meant for high-end clientele, was a far cry from the usual house parties near their campus.
The lavish interiors were one thing, but even the reception desk was staffed exclusively by top-tier beauties.
This had the college students gawking, especially some of the young men, their gazes glued and unyielding.
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