Chapter 4

He had a point.

Ten thousand dollars for chugging a bottle. Even if I puked my guts out, it was worth it.

Why let a little bit of health stand in the way of money?

Plus, Cassie kept urging me on.

I grabbed another bottle and downed it in one go.

Two bottles of hard liquor were now in my system, and I was starting to feel it.

The effects weren't immediate, but the hangover would be brutal.

In a short while, my head felt foggy, and my vision began to blur.

"Another one!"

"Ten thousand! Keep going!"

The crowd's cheers were relentless.

I figured, since I was already this far, why not earn a few more tens of thousands?

So, without hesitation, I chugged two more bottles.

Forty thousand dollars in hand, and I was thoroughly drunk.

I hunched over a trash can, puking my guts out.

Seeing my pathetic state, the laughter of the crowd grew even louder.

Cassie looked at me with disdain, even kicking my butt twice.

"You disgusting embarrassment, get out and wait for me."

Though her words were insults, to me, they sounded like sweet music.

Finally, I was free. I quickly stood up and headed outside.

"Stop right there! Did I say you could leave?"

Chad's voice cut through the air, sharp and demanding.

I paused, turning to him. "Is there something else?"

Chad strutted, arrogant. "My money isn't that easy to take!"

"Until I'm satisfied, you'll stay here, on your knees, drinking, until I say stop."

I said coldly, "What if I don't?"

Chad's eyes narrowed. "You're a lapdog, daring to say no? Who gave you the guts?"

"If you don't drink, leave the money and get out. Now."

"My money doesn't go to disobedient dogs."

I picked up a bottle of liquor, my voice even. "Are you sure?"

Chad grinned. "Of course. You're not leaving this room until you finish it. Drink up, don't make your goddess angry."

Cassie, perched on his lap, yelled at me, "Stop wasting time! If he tells you to drink, then drink!"

"What are you, a wimp? Are you even a man?"

"I called you here, not to embarrass me!"

Oh, so she wanted me to make her look good, did she?

*Consider it done!*

I nodded silently, then suddenly swung the bottle, smashing it directly over Chad's head.

Liquor splashed, glass shattered, and blood streamed down.

Amidst Chad's screams and the shocked shrieks of the others, I calmly walked out of the VIP room.

"Dean! You bastard, stop right there!"

Cassie chased after me, grabbing my collar.

Her eyes wide, she demanded, "Are you crazy today? How dare you hit my boyfriend?!"

I knocked her hand away, straightening my collar.

"Your boyfriend was the one who provoked me first. I gave him a chance."

Cassie stared at me, dumbfounded, as if seeing a complete stranger.

"Dean, do you know what you're saying? Who gave you the right to talk to me like that?"

I checked the time. Three hours left.

"Cassie, I'm sorry. I hit your boyfriend."

With that, I turned and walked away.

"Come back!" Cassie blocked my path again. "That's it?"

I raised an eyebrow, challenging her.

"What else? I've already apologized. What more do you want?"

Cassie pointed at the VIP room door.

"You go back in there right now, kneel down, and apologize to my boyfriend! And make it sincere!"

"If he hits you, you can't hit back. If he curses you, you can't talk back. Just take it like a good boy, understand?"

I let out a cold laugh. "So you love seeing people on their knees, huh? Do you think you're royalty?"

"Dean!!! You... you come back here!"