Chapter 7 Unexpected Rescue

Regina stood frozen, the dare card in her hand suddenly feeling like it weighed a ton. The lights of the club blurred in her vision, and she could hear the jeers and catcalls around her.

The absurd task made her entire body stiffen, her cheeks burning with alcohol and shame. She looked around and saw a crowd of faces eagerly waiting for the show, especially those male colleagues who had always harbored inappropriate intentions toward her. They whistled openly now, their eyes gleaming with mischief.

Lucia crossed her arms smugly, a victorious smile on her lips. "What's the matter, Regina? Gonna break the rules? Everyone else follows the rules, you think you're special?"

Regina bit her lip, her mind a jumbled mess, but years of workplace instinct told her this was clearly a trap. She reached out, intending to inspect the deck of cards, suspecting that Lucia had rigged them during the shuffle. But Lucia was quicker, already having tucked the deck away.

"What are you looking for?" Lucia asked with fake concern, her eyes glinting with caution. "Rules are rules. Everyone's having fun. If you feel uncomfortable, you can forfeit, but the penalty is..." She dragged out her words, pointing to several bottles of high-proof liquor on the table. "Drink these three bottles."

Lucia was secretly thrilled. She had finally found a way to completely humiliate Regina. If Regina chose to complete the dare, she'd be seen as a shameless flirt. If she chose to drink, the high-proof liquor would make her a laughingstock. Either way, Regina would be utterly disgraced at the company.

Miranda, looking anxious, pushed through the crowd to Regina's side and whispered, "Regina, just ignore them. It's just a stupid game. Let's find an excuse to leave."

Regina shook her head. The alcohol had slowed her thinking, but her pride wouldn't let her show weakness in such a situation. She took a deep breath and looked at Lucia with determination. "So, if I fail the task, I just have to drink three bottles?"

Lucia was momentarily stunned, then her smile grew even more triumphant. "Of course, but this is high-proof liquor. Are you sure you can handle it?"

Regina didn't reply. She walked straight to the table where the alcohol was placed. The label displayed a proof that would make most people hesitate. Everyone present knew that this kind of liquor was potent enough to send an average adult to the hospital.

"Regina, don't do this!" Miranda grabbed her arm nervously. "You can't drink it. It's too dangerous!"

Regina gently freed herself from Miranda's grip, picked up the first bottle, and unscrewed the cap. Without looking at anyone, she tilted her head back and started drinking. The liquor burned like fire down her throat, the spicy sensation spreading from her throat to her stomach. She forced herself to swallow, gulp after gulp.

The crowd erupted, a mix of cheers and disbelief filling the air.

"Oh my God, she's really drinking it!"

"Can she handle that much?"

"She must be faking it. There's no way that's real liquor!"

Lucia's smile began to falter. She had expected Regina to choose the dare out of embarrassment, not to actually drink the liquor. Watching Regina down the liquor, her smugness turned into a hint of unease.

The first bottle was empty, and Regina's face was flushed, her eyes increasingly unfocused. She set down the empty bottle and picked up the second one, unscrewing the cap and continuing to drink.

This time, her movements were slower but still determined. The crowd's jeers quieted, replaced by murmurs.

"Is she really going to drink all three?"

"Someone should stop her. This could be dangerous."

"She might die from this!"

Miranda looked around desperately, hoping someone would intervene, but everyone just stood there, watching like it was a circus act.

Lucia's smile had completely vanished, replaced by a hint of fear. She had only wanted to humiliate Regina, not for things to go this far.

The second bottle was empty, and Regina's body began to sway, her eyes completely glazed over. She reached for the third bottle, her fingers trembling so much she could barely hold it.

Just then, a slender hand stopped her from lifting the bottle. "That's enough."

A deep, commanding voice cut through the silence of the club like a thunderclap, making everyone straighten up.

Regina looked up in a daze and saw Douglas's handsome, stern face. At some point, the CEO of the Century Group had appeared beside her, holding down the bottle.

"Mr. Semona!" Lucia's face turned pale, and she stammered, "We were just playing a harmless game. We didn't expect Regina to..."

Douglas ignored her, looking directly at the flushed Regina. "Are you okay?"

Regina's eyes were unfocused. She stared at Douglas for a moment, then seemed to remember something. The dare card's task flashed in her mind.

"Belt..." she mumbled, "Can I have... your belt..."

The air in the club froze. Everyone stared in shock as the ordinary translator from the Century Group made such a bold request to the company president.

Douglas was taken aback, then a faint, inscrutable smile appeared on his face. He seemed to understand the situation and, instead of getting angry, he cooperated by unbuckling his belt.

"Here's my belt," he said softly, handing it to Regina.

Miranda quickly stepped forward, awkwardly smiling to defuse the situation. "Thank you, Mr. Semona, for your understanding!"

Regina clutched the belt, looking up at the man in front of her. The alcohol had completely destroyed her rationality, and she blurted out, "Thank you... my hubby..."

The word exploded in the club like a bomb, leaving everyone wide-eyed in disbelief. Lucia was too shocked to speak, her face ashen as if she had seen something impossible.

Miranda was also stunned, unable to believe her ears. When did Regina get married? And to...

Before anyone could react, Regina's face turned pale. She covered her mouth, her body swaying, and then she stumbled towards Douglas. She grabbed his suit jacket unconsciously and, without warning, started to vomit.

The acrid smell of alcohol mixed with stomach acid filled the air as Regina emptied the liquor onto Douglas's tailored suit.

The scene was so chaotic that no one dared to look directly, everyone turning away in discomfort.