Chapter 25: Chapter 25: I’ll Drink for Her

Yvonne Sutton shot Claire Lawrence an eye roll, then walked toward the bar up front.

"Hey, Yvonne! Don’t get yourself mixed up with some scammer! I’ve read about those marriage scams online, so you’d better be careful!"

Arriving at the bar, the bartender mixed them two drinks.

"Where’s your boss?" Claire Lawrence asked.

"He’s still in the kitchen. It’s a bit busy today."

Claire Lawrence looked around the small tavern and nodded in satisfaction. "Joshua Hale’s taste has always been on point. The decor is quite stylish."

"Thanks for the compliment, Miss Lawrence."

Joshua Hale walked over from the back, drying his hands. Only then did he extend one to Claire Lawrence. "Welcome home."

Claire Lawrence froze for a second, then smiled and high-fived him.

"I consider Aethelgard my home, but it seems the feeling isn’t mutual."

Joshua Hale laughed. "It’s fine. Stick around for a few years and you’ll fit right in."

He pointed to a private room on the west side and said, "The boss of Stratos Entertainment is in that room entertaining guests. I’ll go in first to say hello, then I’ll bring you in."

Claire Lawrence nodded. "Okay."

As Joshua Hale was heading over, he remembered something and said to Yvonne Sutton, "Wendy Winters booked a private room tonight, and Vincent is there too. If you... if you don’t want to see them, you can go sit on the rooftop terrace for a bit. Leo Flynn will be here in a while."

Yvonne Sutton was warmed by Joshua Hale’s thoughtfulness.

"Okay."

There were no other customers on the terrace. Yvonne Sutton, worried about Claire Lawrence, sat down at the outermost table and then waved to Claire, who was waiting in the courtyard.

Claire Lawrence made an encouraging gesture, and Yvonne returned it in kind, cheering her on.

It was quiet here. They were surrounded by the lights of countless homes, and in front of her was a single dim, yellow lamp. A gentle breeze brushed her face, calming her heart and mind. She took a photo and sent it to Wyatt Shaw.

Wyatt Shaw also sent her a photo: towering skyscrapers split by a sliver of dawn.

"The flooring at home is done. I’m going to start buying furniture."

"Can you buy me a computer? One specifically for gaming."

"You like to play games?"

"Yeah, but I promise I won’t let gaming keep me from doing chores."

Yvonne Sutton let out a laugh. "Fine."

"And the bed has to be the biggest one."

"..."

"Don’t get the wrong idea. I just toss and turn a lot in my sleep."

He was deliberately teasing her, so Yvonne Sutton sent an angry emoji, and he replied with a crying one.

Just then, Joshua Hale came out of the west-side private room, followed by a man in his forties with a fair complexion and glasses. This was the boss of Stratos Entertainment, and Joshua introduced Claire Lawrence to him.

The man sized up Claire Lawrence, then shook his head.

"I don’t like to beat around the bush, so I’ll be direct. First, she’s too old. To re-enter the entertainment industry at this age and make any kind of splash, you need to have built up a fanbase before you left. Second, she’s decent-looking, but she’s not distinctive. It’s hard for people to remember her."

It was brutally honest—uncomfortably so.

"Mr. Coleman, she’s been in a few shows before, so she has experience. That’s better than some newcomer who doesn’t know anything. Plus, she’s not picky about roles; she can start with small parts," Joshua Hale said.

The man still shook his head. "To be honest, I’d rather sign a newcomer. Youth, after all, is an asset. However, if she comes with connections and resources, then we could consider it."

"What do you mean by that?" Joshua Hale asked.

"I hear Mr. Rhodes is here tonight, right?"

Joshua Hale’s mind raced. "He is. Mr. Rhodes is a friend of a friend."

"Spectra Pictures, under The Rhodes Group, is the main investor and controller for a historical drama project. The production team is top-notch. If she can get into that production, even as a minor supporting character, I’d be willing to sign her."

After saying his piece, the man returned to the private room. His meaning was clear: if Claire Lawrence could get a role from The Rhodes Group, it would prove she had connections and resources, and then he would be willing to sign her.

Joshua Hale looked at Claire Lawrence. "I can take you to Wendy Winters’s private room, but honestly, don’t get your hopes up."

"I’ll go," said Claire Lawrence.

"Think about it again. They... they will definitely give you a hard time."

Claire Lawrence gave a bitter smile. "Buddy, do I have any other choice?"

When Yvonne Sutton saw Joshua Hale take Claire Lawrence to Wendy Winters’s private room, her brow furrowed.

Sure enough, she heard Monica Lynch sneer, "Claire Lawrence, you must have the wrong room. Is this a place you think you can just walk into?"

Joshua Hale, however, just smiled. "Everyone here is a friend. Let’s all get to know each other."

As he spoke, he opened a bottle of baijiu, walked up to Silas Rhodes, and bowed slightly. "Mr. Rhodes, it’s an honor to have you at my humble tavern. A toast to you."

With that, Joshua Hale tilted the bottle back and started chugging, downing it in a few gulps under everyone’s stunned gaze.

Seeing Joshua Hale’s bold gesture, Silas Rhodes finally showed him some respect by picking up his glass and taking a sip.

"Claire, come here." Joshua Hale beckoned Claire Lawrence over and introduced her to Silas Rhodes. "She used to be an actress, but she left the industry when she got married. She’s recently been thinking about making a comeback."

At this point, Joshua Hale gave Claire Lawrence a little nudge.

Claire Lawrence raised a glass of baijiu. "Mr. Rhodes, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I toast you."

With that, she downed the glass of baijiu in one go.

"Claire Lawrence, you can’t be serious. You want to act?" Monica Lynch started laughing. "Please, take a look in the mirror sometime. It’s not your fault you’re plain, but it is your fault for not knowing your place."

"Claire, I’m the host tonight, but I didn’t invite you. Besides, there are no empty seats. Why don’t we get together another time?" Wendy Winters said, displeased.

"I don’t need a seat. I just came over to liven things up for everyone," Claire Lawrence said, still smiling.

’She had mentally prepared herself before coming in. She knew she would be ridiculed, but she had to endure it.’

"Joshua." Vincent Reed looked at Joshua Hale, his brows furrowed.

Joshua Hale pressed his hands together in a gesture of apology. "Do me a favor."

"We have to give Joshua face, of course," Monica Lynch cut in for Vincent Reed. She had a waiter bring ten glasses, line them up in a row, and fill them with baijiu. "Claire, we’re old classmates. I want to help you, too, but we’ll have to see if you’re sincere."

"I’ll drink for her," Joshua Hale said.

"Joshua, I’m giving you face. Shouldn’t you give me some face, too?" Monica Lynch said, annoyed.

"But that’s a whole liter of baijiu..."

"Don’t say any more. I’ll drink," Claire Lawrence said.

She took a deep breath, picked up a glass, and looked at Silas Rhodes. "Mr. Rhodes, my name is Claire Lawrence. If you happen to remember me down the line and can spare a small role for me, I would be eternally grateful."

She swallowed her tears along with the liquor, but there was nothing she could do. She could only place herself in the most humble, most debased position possible.

By the time Yvonne Sutton arrived, Claire Lawrence had already downed five glasses. She could barely stand, but she was still forcing herself to pour the liquor down her throat.

She rushed in, grabbed Claire Lawrence from behind to support her, and then looked at the crowd. "I’ll drink for her!"

Before anyone could react, she picked up a glass and downed it.