Zayne's face turned sickeningly pale; he looked terrible. Jared, satisfaction etched on his face, sat down. "If this continues," Jared thought, "he might die from alcohol poisoning. Besides, I doubt Mom and Dad would let me take another sip."

Zayne stammered, "W-why have you sat down? I… I can still drink!" He immediately vomited, splattering some onto Frieda. "Ah!" Frieda yelled in disgust, gagging at the sight of the half-digested food. Franklin's expression contorted. Gary glared at Jared, then stood, saying, "Franklin, send Zayne home. We should leave; these two are out of line!"

Franklin complied. As Gary and Jared prepared to leave, Zayne, unsteady on his feet, stopped them. "Hey, you can't leave…," he slurred, his eyes blurry. "I've arranged a karaoke session. Are you leaving to avoid paying?"

Franklin stressed, "Zayne, you've had too much. How about another day?"

"No! It has to be tonight! I've already told everyone. I'll be embarrassed if you don't go and pay!" Zayne insisted, shaking his head. Franklin looked helplessly at Gary.

Jared intervened, "Dad, it's all right. You guys go home. I'll meet the others." Gary, seeing no other option, agreed. "All right. Come home early, and don't drink anymore." He gave Jared some cash. "Take this. Karaoke's expensive."

Though the roughly three hundred dollars was a small amount, Jared hesitated to accept, knowing his father's persistence. He took the money. Franklin then produced a thousand dollars. "Jared, take this, just in case."

"Dad! You've never been so generous!" Maria snatched the money.

"Silly girl! Give it to Jared!" Franklin thundered.

"No! I'll keep it and add more later if needed!" Maria declared, pocketing the cash.

Jared calmly said, "Mr. Saunders, I have enough. Maria will add more if necessary. Don't worry." Franklin sighed.

Outside the private room, Franklin approached the cashier. Zayne caught up, threw his work pass on the counter, and mumbled, "I have a work pass. Twenty percent discount." Without looking at the pass, the cashier politely told Franklin, "Sir, your bill has been waived."