Chapter 6 Truth or Dare

The flashlights lit up the room, and the camera shutters clicked incessantly. Standing next to Douglas, Regina felt countless eyes focusing on her, a feeling of indescribable embarrassment washing over her. Subconsciously, she took a step back, wanting to escape.

Douglas seemed to notice her discomfort and subtly shifted his position, blocking most of the attention directed at her. This small, almost imperceptible gesture surprised Regina but also brought her a sense of relief. Taking advantage of the crowd's focus on Douglas, she quietly retreated to her seat.

Lucia had been watching Regina. Seeing her step away from Douglas, a hint of disdain flashed in her eyes.

"Looks like Regina knows how to show herself," Lucia whispered to her colleague beside her. "Trying to make an impression on the new CEO by greeting him at the entrance. Quite the schemer."

"Totally," another female colleague chimed in. "I thought she was really leaving, but she was just waiting at the door."

Regina forced herself to remain calm as she returned to her seat, pretending not to hear the whispers around her. She maintained a professional smile, but inside, she was a storm of emotions.

Miranda Smith leaned over, curious. "Regina, where were you going just now? I didn't expect you to steal the new boss's thunder."

Regina gave a helpless smile. "I got a call from the hospital. My grandma's not doing well, and I was about to leave."

"Oh no, do you need to..."

"Mr. Semona, what does taking over the Century Group mean to you?" A reporter interrupted their conversation with a sudden question.

Douglas stood at the center of the stage, his long fingers lightly tapping the podium. He stood tall and straight, with sharp, piercing eyes, exuding an indescribable charm.

"The Century Group is home to 200,000 employees worldwide. Taking over is not just about managing a company; it's about shouldering a responsibility," Douglas's voice was magnetic, each word powerful and clear. "My goal is simple—to make the Century Group a benchmark in the industry and to ensure every employee feels proud of their work."

Douglas's speech was brief but impactful, with no unnecessary pleasantries. He spoke about the company's future plans, market strategies, and employee benefits. Throughout, his gaze occasionally flickered in Regina's direction but quickly moved on.

"He's so handsome!" Miranda clutched her chest, looking smitten.

Regina was speechless. But at that moment, she was more concerned about Tasha's condition and how to gracefully exit this awkward event.

After Douglas's speech, the event moved to its second phase, with all employees invited to a nearby entertainment venue.

Regina planned to use this opportunity to leave, but Lucia loudly declared in front of everyone, "Folks, it's the new CEO's first day. We all need to show our support. If anyone chooses not to attend, it would be quite unsociable and disrespectful to our leader."

Her gaze swept over Regina with a hint of challenge in her smile.

Regina sighed in resignation. She didn't want to become the center of attention, so she followed the group to the entertainment venue. Along the way, she tried to spot Douglas to inform him about Tasha, but he was surrounded by a group of executives, making it impossible to approach him.

The venue was lavishly decorated, with soft lighting and a large circular seating area in the center, surrounded by elegant bars and small stages. Employees quickly settled into a relaxed state, chatting in small groups. Regina sat in a corner, uninterested in the festivities.

Lucia, however, was relentless. She brought a group of her "followers" over, insisting on sitting with Regina.

"Regina, since you're here, don't just sit in the corner," Lucia said with a smile, but her tone leaving no room for refusal. "It's a rare chance for everyone to get together. Let's enjoy ourselves. How about a drink?"

As soon as she finished speaking, someone brought over drinks. Regina glanced at her watch—it was almost ten. She was worried about Tasha and really wasn't in the mood for drinking.

"Sorry, I really can't..."

"What? Do you look down on us?" Lucia cut her off, her eyes sharp. "Or are you too high and mighty to mingle with us regular employees?"

The surrounding voices of agreement pushed Regina into a corner. She knew she had already become a target for Lucia, and refusing now would only give her more ammunition.

Reluctantly, Regina picked up a glass and took a small sip.

But Lucia wasn't satisfied. "That's not enough. Let's have a toast!"

Round after round, Regina was forced to drink. She wasn't a heavy drinker, and after a few glasses, her face was as red as an apple, her vision blurring.

"Look at that, the usually aloof Regina can really hold her liquor," Lucia said with a smile, her eyes glinting with malice.

Miranda, unable to stand it any longer, tried to intervene but was blocked by Lucia's "followers." She could only watch helplessly as Regina was forced to drink, her worry growing.

Just as Regina felt the room spinning, Lucia clapped her hands. "Everyone, let's play something fun! How about Truth or Dare?"

Her suggestion was met with enthusiastic approval. A new deck of cards was brought out, and the rules were simple: whoever drew the King of Hearts had to pick a card and complete the truth or dare task written on it.

Lucia shuffled the cards and distributed them. "Let's see who the first lucky one is."

Miranda looked at her card and her face fell. "Oh, it's me." She reluctantly held up the King of Hearts.

Lucia smiled in satisfaction. "Great, Miranda, please draw a card."

Miranda picked a card from the pile in the center. [Rveal the color of your underwear.] Her face turned bright red.

Laughter erupted around them. Miranda bit her lip and quietly answered, "Pink..."

The room burst into laughter, the atmosphere becoming lively. In the following rounds, more people drew the King of Hearts, forced to answer embarrassing questions or complete silly dares.

Regina sat in the corner, her head spinning, wishing for the ridiculous game to end. But she noticed something odd—every time Lucia shuffled the cards, she seemed to control who would draw the King of Hearts.

Finally, it was the last round. Lucia smiled mysteriously. "The last card can only be a dare. Let's see who the ultimate lucky one is tonight."

The cards were dealt again, and Regina looked down to see the King of Hearts in her hand. She looked up to meet Lucia's triumphant smile.

"Well, Regina, looks like you're the star of the night," Lucia said with a grin. "Go ahead, draw a dare card."

Regina, fighting the dizziness, picked the last card.

"Choose a man in the room and remove his belt." She read the card's contents, her body freezing. The room erupted in cheers and whistles, everyone watching her, eager for the show.

Lucia's eyes gleamed with victory. "Rules are rules, Regina. You wouldn't back out now, would you?"