When Hannah entered the private room, the atmosphere remained lively. Susan’s presence ensured a continuous flow of conversation. Spotting Hannah, Susan rushed over and embraced her, her unsteady gait betraying her intoxication. Hannah steadied the swaying Susan.

“If you can’t hold your liquor, drink less,” Hannah gently advised.

Susan, initially leaning heavily on Hannah, straightened instantly. “Don’t underestimate me!” she declared, her demeanor playfully rebellious. Hannah helped her to the sofa, but Susan immediately rose again, her restless energy undiminished. Suddenly, she grabbed a wine glass and offered it to Hannah.

Hannah, a light drinker, had abstained all evening. Charles usually drank for her, but tonight, that wasn't an option. She suddenly understood Oscar's actions weren't merely borne of displeasure; he was deliberately goading Charles, exploiting his pride to encourage excessive drinking. Oscar was far more calculating than she'd realized.

“Hannah, we’re in a nightclub; you have to drink,” Susan insisted.

Hannah glared.

“I don’t care; you’re getting drunk with me tonight!” Susan demanded, acting like a spoiled child. “If you don’t drink, I’m leaving,” she threatened.

Susan, though often childish, had suffered a traumatic experience in a past life, a memory she fiercely guarded. In that moment, Hannah simply took the glass and drained it. Susan's eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of sobriety in their depths. She’d been teasing, never expecting Hannah to comply. They’d grown up together; Hannah’s sisterly warmth often encouraged Susan's childishness, and her slight intoxication fueled a desire for closeness. Hannah wasn't a total abstainer; Susan often persuaded her to drink at dinner, but not in situations like this.

Susan stared at Hannah, a single thought dominating her mind: She's changed. But Susan didn't mind; she'd follow Hannah anywhere. She emptied her own glass, then poured more, sharing the drinks with Hannah.

Seeing Hannah drinking, others joined in, offering toasts. Charles attempted to drink for Hannah, but he was overwhelmed by Oscar, Theodore, Susan, Jane, and Mary, leaving Hannah to fend for herself. In truth, Charles would always choose himself over Hannah.

“Hannah,” Manuel sat beside her.

Hannah felt the pleasant dizziness of intoxication. It wasn't unpleasant. Looking at Manuel, she raised her glass. “Manuel, a toast!”

Seeing her cheerful mood, Manuel, who'd intended to warn her against overindulgence, accepted. Then Hannah turned to Susan and Manuel, "Don't you two want to drink?"

Susan was hesitant, but Manuel poured himself a glass. “Susan, a toast to you and Henry.”

Susan’s lips tightened, analyzing his use of her given name. Before she could respond, Manuel addressed Henry, who had been unusually quiet all evening. Hannah had once assumed Henry's withdrawn nature stemmed from being orphaned, echoing Susan's concern for him. But he was merely manipulating sympathy.

Henry sat next to Susan. Manuel began, “I heard Uncle Edward say you two are getting married soon.”

“Oh,” Susan replied, remembering a casual remark to her father about marrying Henry and moving out, a comment he’d taken seriously.

“Susan is my younger sister; you can’t mistreat her,” Manuel said gently to Henry.

Susan felt inexplicably irritated; she’d never considered Manuel a brother.

“Congratulations on your upcoming wedding,” Manuel said sincerely.

Henry, unenthusiastic but compliant, raised his glass. Susan did not. She resisted drinking with Manuel, just as she resisted singing with him. Henry, sensing her mood, embraced her. “Susan’s a little drunk,” he explained.

Manuel didn’t contradict him. He simply toasted Henry instead. He likely left to avoid disrupting the others.

Hannah watched him go, then looked at Susan, still nestled in Henry’s arms, making no attempt to say goodbye.

Everyone was somewhat intoxicated. Hannah and Charles were drunk; Susan, who had consumed the most, remained remarkably energetic, her constitution seemingly exceptional.

Hannah glanced at Jane and Mary, who’d drunk little and remained unnoticed. They hadn't left, unwilling to miss what was to come. Jane, unaware, was soon to benefit from Hannah’s plans.