Chapter 3

Brett froze for a moment. "Are you threatening me?

I replied, "Firstly, this room was already reserved, and the person who booked it wasn't you. This bottle of wine wasn't for you either. You forced me to open it and took over the room, and now you want to force me to drink? You'd better think carefully about the consequences."

My words made them hesitate.

Someone beside Brett said, "I've heard the owner of Smyth Hot Springs Club holds grudges. Also, only VIP clients can book Room 308."

Others spoke up one after another.

"Maybe we should just let it go, Brett."

"Yeah, I think this pauper is trying to set you up. He deliberately brought us here."

"Let's go somewhere else. We'll have plenty of chances to deal with this guy later."

I broke free from them and rubbed my sore shoulder.

Just then, Brett snapped back to his senses and slammed the table. "What's there to be afraid of? My uncle and Mr. Cooper are hosting an important guest tonight, and this is the room they reserved. In other words, the Salway family booked this room. So, I'm free to use this room as I please."

Harry immediately chimed in, "Exactly! Why can't Brett use this room as he pleases? Kieran, you've got some nerve threatening Brett. Let's see if the club owner will back you up!"

Brett sneered. "That's right. Either you finish the drink, or you bark like a dog for us. Otherwise, even if the club owner shows up, I won't give a damn."

He became arrogant again, just like eight years ago.

But I was no longer the person I had been back then.

I asked, "Brett, what if I'm the VIP guest your uncle is hosting tonight?"

The room fell silent.

After a moment, laughter erupted from everywhere.

Brett laughed so hard his whole body shook. Harry and the others nearly collapsed onto the floor. Zyla looked at me with a complicated expression on her face.

I shrugged. I knew they wouldn't believe me.

"Kieran, have you been reading too many novels? If you want to act tough like the male leads, you should at least have a better sense of your own worth."

"Exactly. If you're really Mr. Salway's VIP guest, I'll eat my shoe!"

Brett walked over and patted my face, this time with some force. My cheek stung slightly.

He said scornfully, "No matter who comes to help you today, you're not getting away!"

"Forget it, Brett. He's just an employee. Why bother?" Zyla suddenly said.

I didn't expect that Zyla would step in to speak up for me. But at this moment, her words had the unintended effect of fanning the flames even more.

Sure enough, Brett turned and grabbed her chin to force her to look right at him. "Are you feeling sorry for him now? You're so shameless. If you feel bad for him, fine. You drink! Finish it, and I'll let him go."

Before I could say anything, Zyla picked up the bottle and started drinking straight from it.

"Stop drinking, Zyla! There's no need to do this!" I snatched it from her.

She gripped my wrist. "If I finish it, you can leave. Don't overestimate yourself. You can't win against them."

She insisted on drinking, but I refused to let her.

Brett grew impatient and shouted, "Damn it! Quit acting all affectionate in front of me. Do you take me for a fool? Get lost!"

He shoved Zyla aside, grabbed the bottle, and poured it over my head. "Kneel, you worthless trash!"

I looked at him and sneered. "Brett, you're going to regret this."

"How dare you still talk back? Beat him up!"

At Brett's command, Harry and the others lunged at me.

I dodged sideways to avoid them.

Harry bellowed furiously, "Think you can dodge? Get over here!"

They moved in again. I grabbed the bottle and threw it forcefully to the ground.

As the loud crash rang out, everybody froze.

I said menacingly, "None of you are leaving today!"

The next second, the door to the private room opened.

An aged voice rang out, "Who dares threaten the Salway family?"

"Uncle Edmond!" Brett's eyes lit up as he hastily pointed at me. "It's him!"

I took a tissue, wiped my hands, and turned to face them. "That's right. It was me."