After giving her instructions, Sarah Moore walked outside, opened the driver's side of a Beetle, and got in.
Just as she was about to drive, the door to the passenger side suddenly opened, and I slipped in.
The reason I followed was because I noticed a dark fog on Sarah Moore' forehead, tinged with a slight blood-red hue!
This was a sign of impending disaster!
Whether it was to repay the favor from earlier or because of that incident five years ago, I couldn't let Sarah Moore get hurt in the slightest!
Sarah looked at me in the passenger seat, first surprised, then she smiled and said, "Little brother, what are you doing? Are you here to thank me? Actually, I already heard about what happened before from others. It was those security guards who were at fault first. You don't need to thank me. By the way, why are you so insistent on seeing Sylvia Campbell? You're not trying to promote some beauty remedy, are you?"
The reason she said this was because, last time, someone dressed similarly to David had come to sell some beauty remedies, claiming they could take the Apex Ventures's beauty industry to the next level, but ended up being thrown out by security.
These days, most barefoot doctors from the countryside come to the city with this purpose.
I glanced at Sarah. I realized this girl had changed so much. When we were in school, I often teased her about being flat-chested; I remembered once I even made her cry. But now, her hot figure was something entirely different.
"You're not getting in my car to sell that remedy, are you?" Sarah noticed me looking at her chest. She wasn't angry, and even arched her back slightly. For some reason, she had an inexplicable liking for this young man in front of her.
Perhaps it was because he reminded her of that deceased old classmate.
I snapped out of it, naturally, I couldn't explain the elder's matter, so I could only brush it off, "You've caught me; I have great confidence in my remedy. It not only enhances beauty but can also improve your body shape."
My greatest reliance upon returning wasn't my cultivation but my medical skill, which dared to contest life with The Bruce of Hell!
A casual throw of the Youthful Appearance Pill's Elixir Recipe was enough to send beauty companies worldwide into a frenzy!
Sarah rolled her eyes at me, then drove the car towards The Summit Hotel.
"Since you're so capable, I'm heading to a party. You can help me block all the alcohol, how about that? Oh, I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Sarah Moore, the Marketing Director of Apex Ventures."
Sarah operated the steering wheel with one hand, extending the other towards me.
Our hands clasped, and I felt an extraordinary smoothness and warmth.
"My name is Hayes... Dave Johnson, 'Dave' as in honest and trustworthy."
Since she didn't recognize me, I didn't want to say more. If Sarah found out I wasn't dead, it might just shock her.
I noticed that when I mentioned my name, Sarah shuddered slightly. But upon hearing my explanation, she released a long sigh of relief.
"What a coincidence, your name sounds similar to that of my old classmate. I almost thought you were him..."
...
Twenty minutes later.
At the Serpent Lake Hotel, in the Sovereign Banquet Hall.
As soon as Sarah and I appeared, all eyes unavoidably fell on them.
Sarah's figure was way too alluring — nearly 1.7 meters tall with those captivating long legs, her well-fitting attire contrasted starkly with me beside her.
No one expected the Marketing Director of Apex Ventures to bring someone like this to the party.
Sarah led me to the center seat at a round glass table, where seven or eight men were already seated.
The way they looked at Sarah was scorching, almost eager to pounce on her immediately.
"Director Moore, finally, we've been hoping for your arrival. Truly seeing is believing. I am Bryan Alexander, the founder of Summitborn Group."
"Director Moore, my name is Vincent West, and The Summit Hotel is my family's property..."
The few men who stood up to introduce themselves were particularly enthusiastic, all trying to show off their strength in front of Sarah.
I wasn't interested in this kind of gathering. My eyes constantly observed the surroundings to figure out what might pose a threat to Sarah.
Soon, the banquet began.
The men at Sarah's table all found various excuses to toast her, whether intentionally or not. Sarah seemed familiar with this drinking table culture, managing to sip through just a single glass of red wine after several rounds.
I wanted to help Sarah block the drinks several times but was refused. After all, at this gathering, Sarah represented the entire Apex Ventures and couldn't afford to lose the harmony.
Until the man sitting at the main table not far away stood up, the entire banquet's atmosphere changed!
The man was in a custom suit, holding two glasses of wine, his face filled with arrogance!
When Sarah saw this man walk over, she became panicked and even her body trembled.
How could this guy be here!
"Miss Moore, leaving without saying goodbye last time, you really disregarded my face, didn't you? Martinez't you think you owe me a glass to make amends?"
Roy Hernandez made it clear that it wasn't a request but a command!
Last time, he went through great pains to arrange a meeting with Sarah, even slipping something into her drink!
What he didn't expect was for Sarah to realize something was off and splash the drink in his face!
These days, the incident has spread across the circles, making him lose face immensely!
Sarah was in a bit of a bind, hastily saying, "Young Master Hernandez, I'm really sorry. I drove here today, so it's not a good idea for me to drink. How about I use tea instead?"
Roy snorted, downed one of the drinks in his hand, "Martinez't give me crap! I've already reserved the presidential suite upstairs. Miss Moore, if you're drunk, you can stay there."
The men sitting at the same table as Sarah naturally recognized Roy Hernandez and said nothing, each with a 'see the good show' expression.
After all, the man before them was the second young master of The Hernandez Family in Brooksdale. Who would dare offend him?
Some even urged, "Director Moore, Young Master Hernandez toasting you is a sign of respect. Why not drink up? If you don't drink and Hernandez gets angry, it'll be trouble."
"Yeah, Director Moore, it's just a glass of wine. What's to be afraid of? With so many people, do you think Young Master Hernandez would eat you up?"
Sarah looked at the wine Roy was handing to her and felt caught between a rock and a hard place. What if his drink had a problem again? Today, she might truly not walk out of the Serpent Lake Hotel.
Everyone in Brooksdale knew what kind of person Roy Hernandez was! Any woman he fancied, even middle or high school students, he would get his hands on!
How could she drink such a scumbag's wine?
Seeing that Sarah was taking too long to take the wine, Roy got a bit angry and completely changed his demeanor: "You bitch, who do you think you are? Damn it, stop pretending to be some chaste woman in front of me. Today, even if you damn well don't want to drink, you will drink! Even if Sylvia Campbell herself comes, it's the same damn thing! This is Brooksdale, my turf! Do you hear me?"
The atmosphere completely shifted!
Sarah stood there alone, motionless, eyes starting to redden.
She was born into an ordinary family, had given up her studies early, stepped into society, and slowly climbed to the director's position at Apex Ventures. To outsiders, it seemed like she was already a step above others.
But when faced with the real figures of Brooksdale, she found herself powerless!
She felt so small, like a speck of dust in front of these people!
She even hated herself for being a woman!
Slowly, she lifted her hand toward the glass of wine.
In the eyes of others, it looked as though she had accepted her fate.
The corner of Roy Hernandez' mouth curled into a victorious smile, he even envisioned the scenes that would happen with Sarah tonight.
Just as Sarah's fingers were about to touch the wine glass, a cold voice resounded:
"Who the hell do you think you are, daring to make her drink?"
...