Bella held her wine glass, the intense dizziness causing her to slightly furrow her brow, unable to fully react to what Vivian and President Lloyd were saying.
Sharon almost imperceptibly frowned, picked up her wine glass, and was about to stand up when she saw Archer Quinn, seated beside the director, already raising his glass.
Even in this boisterous crowd, his face maintained a serene and graceful smile, as if attending some high-end cocktail party, gentle and elegant, making those facing him unconsciously lower their voices, seemingly afraid of startling him with loud sounds.
Archer Quinn held a glass of red wine, stood up and smiled, "Bella doesn’t drink. As her senior, I’m obliged to stand in for her. Let me drink these three glasses on her behalf, how about it?" As he asked, his smiling gaze naturally turned to Vivian and President Lloyd.
Bella, being a newcomer who knew nothing, could be teased without issue, but now that Archer Quinn stood up for her, neither Vivian nor President Lloyd could refuse to give him face.
Vivian smiled, "Since Mr. Quinn wants to play hero, he should drink six glasses at least; just three won’t do."
The group was out to have fun, naturally easing into it. Archer Quinn, having been in the entertainment industry for years, was well aware of such rules.
Upon hearing this, he wasn’t upset, smiled gently and nodded cheerfully, "Alright, I’ll drink six. But it’s no fun drinking alone, why don’t we all drink together?" He said and already raised his glass.
Given Archer Quinn’s status, his proposal to toast would undoubtedly be accepted.
Those at the table heard him and lifted their glasses, with the producer adding, "Joy shared is joy multiplied, come on everyone, let’s finish this drink together."
Being shrewd, they all promptly took their glasses, laughing and joined the cheer to clink glasses.
Vivian inwardly resented it but couldn’t deny Archer Quinn’s request, had to make the best of it, swiftly masked her displeasure and donned a poised smile, bending slightly to join the group in clinking glasses, especially clinking with President Lloyd, "Come on, President Lloyd."
President Lloyd smiled, they clinked glasses, exchanging a look only the two of them could understand.
The solitary drinking finally became a collective event, a situation only Archer Quinn could handle. If it were Sharon or Elaine, even if both stood up together, Vivian and President Lloyd would not easily let it slide.
Elaine quietly asked, "Bella, did you offend Vivian sometime?"
Bella, already dizzy, reacted much slower than usual, upon hearing, stared absentmindedly for a while, then shook her head.
Sharon saw her state and knew she was thoroughly drunk, quickly reached out to support her arm, whispered, "Bella, do you want to go to the restroom?"
"Huh? Oh, okay." Bella nodded with sluggish reaction, forced herself to stand from her seat, staggered a bit, if not for Sharon’s timely support, she would have fallen.
"This child." Sharon worriedly steadied her, then told the others, "I’m taking Bella out to get some air and sober up, you all carry on drinking."
Elaine also stood up, "Do you need my help?"
"It’s cold outside, no need." Sharon supported Bella out of the private room alone.
As they stepped out the room, a rush of cold air hit them, clearing Bella’s muddled head somewhat.
"Ms. Cheney, you’re just wearing a thin shirt, it’s cold out, you should go back inside, I’ll go to the restroom myself."