CHAPTER 269: CHAPTER 270 I... AM... SHY... (1)

Irene Spencer raised her hand to block Vera’s arm, but the bottle had already tipped, pouring beer into her glass. It was too late to stop it; Vera could only hold her glass helplessly.

"Irene, that’s enough. I really can’t drink any more."

"Okay, just a little more, only a little bit!"

Despite saying ’just a little,’ with another tilt of the bottle, she filled Vera’s glass to the brim.

Handing the bottle back to the returning assistant, Irene Spencer grabbed her own glass.

"This first round, I’d like to toast everyone. I haven’t been quite myself lately, so thanks for bearing with me."

She rose and clinked glasses with everyone. Not forgetting to turn to Vera, she said, "Vera, come on, bottoms up!"

She lightly tapped Vera’s glass, then raised her arm and drained her full glass of beer. After showing everyone the empty bottom, she demonstrated her tolerance, a common trait among those who frequented such events. A single glass of beer was trivial; everyone else also finished theirs in one go.

Only Vera stared worriedly at the beer in her glass.

Irene Spencer turned, looked at Vera, and smiled.

"Vera, what’s wrong... are you still angry with me?"

"No, no," Vera hurriedly brought the glass to her lips and took a large gulp. "I can’t hold my liquor well, I hope no one minds."

"Lucy, get everyone another round."

At Irene Spencer’s command, Anabel Wilton immediately grabbed a beer bottle and refilled everyone’s glasses. Finally, she took Vera’s glass and, before Vera could protest, filled it to the brim again.

Irene Spencer raised her glass once more. "Second round, let’s toast Director Wilton!"

At her suggestion, the main actors naturally chimed in. Director Wilton was a renowned figure in the industry. His films always drew huge crowds, and every single one was an award-winning production. Acting in a film he directed was an opportunity not just anyone could get.

Aside from established stars like Irene Spencer, most actors relied on his patronage to advance their careers.

As Irene Spencer stood up, everyone else rose, Vera included. She sincerely clinked glasses with Director Wilton.

"I also want to especially thank Director Wilton for giving me this opportunity," Vera said.

With a soft laugh, Irene Spencer leaned close to Vera’s ear.

"Vera, you have to finish this one. Otherwise, Director Wilton won’t be pleased."

Across from them, the Director had already drained his glass. Vera glanced at the glass in her hand, grimaced, then brought it to her lips and, GLUG GLUG, downed the entire contents.

"Good job, Vera! Lucy, fill her up!" Irene called out.

"I can’t, I really can’t drink anymore."

Just as Vera reached for her glass, a beer-fueled hiccup escaped her. She quickly turned her face and covered her mouth, and Anabel seized the opportunity to pour her another glass.

Director Wilton picked up his chopsticks. "Everyone, let’s eat something. Vera, you too... don’t just drink; it’s hard on the stomach."

"Alright."

Vera rinsed her mouth with water and hurriedly picked up some food with her chopsticks, putting it into her mouth.

In the past, the most she ever drank was a little champagne or some cocktails. To me, this beer is bitter and harsh; it’s a struggle to get it down, she thought.

As everyone ate and chatted, Irene Spencer turned to her assistant, Anabel Wilton.

"Lucy, aren’t you going to propose a toast to Vera?"

"Oh!" Anabel Wilton immediately stood up, glass in hand, and walked over to Vera. "Ms. Vera, I apologize if I offended you earlier today. Please don’t take it to heart. Allow me to drink this glass first as a token of my apology."

With a tilt of her head, Anabel Wilton downed her entire glass of beer.

Vera watched this display, feeling quite conflicted. If I don’t drink, it’s disrespectful. But if I do, I’ll definitely get drunk at this rate. With directors and actors all around, getting drunk and making a fool of myself would be beyond embarrassing!