Chapter 168: Chapter 168: Breaking the Rules
Only Warren Prescott’s deep voice was heard.
"Do you have enough money on you to pay the bill?"
Ashley Shaw was taken aback and, for a moment, even doubted her hearing.
She thought Warren would ask some pretty private questions, or even some that were a bit suggestive.
She had already prepared herself to answer questions like "Is your first time still intact," but she didn’t expect Warren to ask about her wallet.
What exactly is going on in his mind?
Others were astonished too.
Several people who intended to whistle and warm up the atmosphere after Warren’s question immediately showed incredulous expressions.
Why not follow the usual path?
They remembered that the last time they played the king’s game, they asked questions like "How does the first time feel," "How long can you last in bed," and so on.
Why is there no challenge this time?
Is it because Ashley Shaw is a girl?
But at other gatherings with girls, they also played this, and it wasn’t this low-level of difficulty.
But while others thought this, Warren himself felt that the situation was just about right.
He was just waiting for Ashley Shaw to step off this stage, and he would let her go.
Yet, after a brief moment of being stunned, Ashley Shaw smiled and said, "I have enough to pay, don’t worry. With so many people here, I won’t skip the bill."
Warren’s expression instantly darkened.
He had given her two chances to step down, and she was determined to sever ties with him, is that it?
"Alright." He almost squeezed the word out from between his teeth.
Ashley Shaw, you’re something, so let’s see if you can pay for tonight’s bill.
Warren pointed to the bottle of Dalmore on the marble table that hadn’t been drunk much yet.
"I’ll count the truth part as passed; for the dare... finish this bottle of Dalmore, and you pass."
Upon hearing this, Ashley Shaw’s expression changed instantly.
"I can’t drink, can it be something else?"
Warren responded, neither warm nor cold: "What do you think?"
Ashley Shaw’s expression became stiff, unable to understand Warren’s reasoning.
Earlier, during dice games, he was a hundred times unwilling to let her drink a penalty when she guessed wrong.
He felt she shouldn’t buy them drinks and fought to drink with them himself.
But now, he directly wants her to drink a whole bottle?
His thinking is as unpredictable as the weather during a typhoon, changing swiftly.
But since it’s a punishment, and he is the king, Ashley Shaw could only brace herself and pick up the bottle of wine.
"Mr. Prescott Jr. ..." Mark, who had been an invisible man, couldn’t help but speak up for Ashley Shaw: "This bottle of wine is nearly forty percent, Miss Shaw can’t handle alcohol well, drinking too much might cause trouble, why not switch to a beer?"
Warren glanced at him sideways: "Why don’t you drink it for her then?"
Assistant Lowell considered himself to have a decent tolerance. He could drink a bottle and, at most, have a headache the next day, relieved by some hangover medicine.
He was about to agree when Warren added, "The usual rules apply, three times the penalty for drinking on someone’s behalf, alright, Assistant Lowell?"
Mark knew Warren was angry.
But in the end, Ashley Shaw was entertaining today because of a brooch, which was trouble caused by his cousin.
If it weren’t for the brooch, there wouldn’t be this drinking situation today.
So both emotionally and logically, he couldn’t sit idly by.
"No problem." Mark tried to hold his ground.
He’d just have to finish it and then go to the restroom to induce vomiting.
Warren’s expression didn’t reveal any emotions, speaking calmly: "Dylan, go get two more bottles."
Dylan Jennings was the PE Committee member’s name.
Although he used to be Ashley Shaw’s classmate, he wasn’t Assistant Lowell, and he didn’t owe Ashley Shaw anything.
He dared not disobey Warren’s order and immediately stood up: "Alright, I’ll go get them."
Ashley Shaw bit her lip and tugged on Dylan’s sleeve.
"No need to get them, I’ll drink it myself, no need for a substitute."
The year of the Dalmore wasn’t low; the price showed on the tablet was 240,000.
Two bottles meant 480,000.
She’d rather drink this bottle of Dalmore herself than spend nearly fifty thousand more.
Moreover, she didn’t want to burden Assistant Lowell.
Mark hesitated: "Miss Shaw..."
"I’m fine, thank you."
Ashley Shaw gave him a grateful glance, then tightened her grip on the wine bottle and tilted her head back, taking a big gulp.
To her surprise, the wine wasn’t as unpleasant as she expected, not even a bit spicy.
It was nearly forty percent alcohol, yet it went down like juice, sweet and smooth, with an orange-like aroma in the aftertaste.
It was quite tasty.
Ashley Shaw’s expression softened, and her tense body relaxed.
Alcohol wasn’t as detestable as she imagined, perhaps because this bottle was quite expensive.
In any case, finishing a bottle didn’t seem as difficult as she thought.
Thinking like this, Ashley Shaw soon took another big swig.
The second gulp was also large.
Just as she was about to take a third, the bottle was suddenly snatched from her hand.
Reflexively, she looked towards the person who took it, meeting Warren’s intensely displeased gaze.
Ashley Shaw asked bluntly, "What’s the matter? Am I too slow in drinking?"
"Slow?" Warren was so angry he laughed.
This foolish woman, thinking it’s tasty and treating it like juice.
Little did she know Dalmore is deceptive; it doesn’t feel strong at first, but the alcohol hits later.
Once the buzz kicks in, it’s stronger than other spirits.
Such stupidity!
If only she’d soften a bit, it would’ve been fine, but she insists on keeping up appearances!
"What’s wrong?" Ashley Shaw still didn’t get it.
He told her to drink, then told her not to—what would satisfy him?
Warren turned away.
"That’s enough for today!"
Others, understanding Warren was on the verge of anger, hastily said their goodbyes and left.
Only Ashley Shaw, Warren, and Assistant Lowell remained in the room.
Warren looked expressionlessly at Assistant Lowell.
"You had the day off, right?"
Assistant Lowell quickly said, "Then I’ll be off, Warren. Miss Shaw, see you next time. I’ll send the self-criticism direct to your email tomorrow."
With that, he also rushed out of the room.
For the moment, only the two of them were left.
They locked eyes, with Ashley Shaw clearly seeing what seemed to be a fire in Warren’s eyes.
She didn’t understand.
She’d done everything he asked, yet he was still displeased.
But none of that mattered now; having been reborn, she promised herself not to try reading Warren’s mind anymore.
He was inherently an enigma.
Three years of marriage and she couldn’t understand him, so why bother when they weren’t even friends now?
She’d already hosted the gathering and repaid her debt.