Chapter 667: A Dinner Party (6) Accident
In the deluxe private room, Susan drank steadily, her mood sullen while Manuel engaged Stephen and his daughter in conversation.
"Miss, your honey water," a waiter offered respectfully, placing a glass before Susan.
Susan frowned. She hadn't ordered it. "This isn't mine," she declared, leaving the waiter slightly embarrassed.
"It's mine," Manuel interjected, extending a hand. The waiter promptly obliged.
Susan laughed sarcastically, assuming it was intended for Clara Stern. Frustrated, she retreated to the restroom.
Manuel accepted the honey water from the waiter. Clara, initially believing it was for her, felt a blush rise as she saw Manuel drink it; she hadn't needed it, having lemon water already, and assumed he drank it to alleviate his own inebriation.
Suddenly, Manuel announced, "Stephen, it's getting late," signaling a desire to conclude the dinner. Stephen, engrossed in introducing his daughter to Manuel, hadn't noticed the time. He checked his watch. "Almost midnight. We work tomorrow. Time to go."
Manuel concurred. Stephen rose, addressing the room, "It's late. Let's call it a night." Some guests initially protested, but readily agreed once Stephen showed clear intent to depart.
Manuel glanced at the restroom, then, lips pursed, left first, seeing off Stephen and his daughter. The other, slightly intoxicated guests, departed in turn.
Once in his car, Manuel hesitated, returning to the private room. A cleaning waiter spotted him. After a long pause, the waiter stammered, "I'm so sorry, sir. I gave you the wrong honey water."
Manuel frowned. He had indeed requested it for Susan, who had consumed quite a bit of alcohol.
"I mixed up your glass with one from the next room. I just realized..." the waiter confessed, clearly nervous.
"It's okay," Manuel replied, dismissing it as inconsequential.
"No, no, it's not. Yours was pure honey water. The one from the next room was..." The waiter trailed off, unable to finish. Manuel's frown deepened.
"Sir, you should be... with your girlfriend tonight... I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to..."
Manuel, quick-witted, instantly understood. The club offered certain "special services," and the honey water had likely been tampered with. Seeing Manuel's anger, the waiter blurted, "It starts in half an hour, sir. Please be careful. I'm so sorry."
Simultaneously, Susan emerged from the restroom, violently ill. Finding only Manuel remaining, a flicker of pleased surprise crossed her face. Had everyone left? Had he waited for her? That moment of delight vanished as Manuel turned and left.
Confused, Susan followed, her pace lagging. She'd come with Manuel; if she didn't get in the car, he wouldn't leave. That, she concluded, was why he had waited. But his apparent lack of concern for her felt cruel.
Exiting the club, she encountered Henry waiting at the gate. It was cold, and he was lightly dressed. Seeing her, he rushed forward. "Susan."
Susan offered a strained smile. "Why are you here?"
"It's late, and I was worried about you, drunk. How are you? You look awful."
"I'm fine," she replied. "How did you know I was here?"
"Kensbury isn't that big. A few clubs. I'd find you if I wanted to," he said casually. The truth, however, was finding her amongst Kensbury City's numerous clubs was far from easy.
Henry's kindness always made Susan uncomfortable. She nodded, avoiding further questions.
Henry took her hand. "Let's go. It's freezing. Your hands are ice." His own hands were even colder. She couldn't leave him to go home alone, especially since Manuel had gone.
"Okay."
At that instant, she spotted Manuel a short distance away, witnessing her and Henry holding hands. Before she could speak, he turned and left, leaving her with only his retreating back.
Henry, seemingly noticing Susan's gaze, looked back, seeing Manuel enter a car which sped off. He subtly acknowledged the shift in Manuel and Susan's dynamic. Without comment, he embraced Susan and guided her to his car.