Bella realized it: this guy was a professional drinker.
Marry him and give him spending money? He wouldn't do it!
Offer him a respectable job? He refused!
Yet here he was, contentedly making a living as a professional drinker!
"Bring me ten more cases of beer!" Bella said, clenching her fists. She had never been so disrespected.
"Sure thing! What kind of beer would you like, Miss Bella? The most expensive we have is Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA, at $12 a bottle. Ten cases would be... 120 bottles!" William's face was beaming with joy. He was making money! His commission on the alcohol was ten percent, so this round would put another $1500 in his pocket.
"Fine! Go get it. I'll come by often to watch you drink!" Bella said through gritted teeth.
"You're most welcome!" William said and then went to tell Maria that he needed ten cases of Corona.
"William, well done! On your first day, no less. Who knows how valuable you'll become to us in the future?" Maria's smile was so broad it nearly split her face. She felt like she'd found a treasure. With someone like him, business would surely boom.
"I'll definitely become the top performer," William said confidently. He had worked in many fields and always excelled. Selling alcohol was no challenge for him.
"Alright, alright! Go back and keep Miss Bella company. I'll have the drinks sent over. And remember, don't upset them. Those three ladies are not to be trifled with," Maria warned, fearing that William might genuinely anger Bella.
"Don't worry, I won't," William assured her before returning to the table.
The ten cases of beer were brought over shortly after.
William winked at Bella, suggesting, "Since we're drinking, how about playing some games?"
Bella, teeth gritted, agreed: "Sure! Let's play! You think I'm afraid of you?"
"Dice or cards?" William asked, appearing as comfortable with these games as a seasoned gambler.
"Dice!" Bella challenged, "Just the two of us, one-on-one!"
"One-on-one? Alright!" William kept in mind not to appear too skilled. He had overdone it a bit earlier while drinking wine.
The two started playing, and William began losing, five rounds in a row!
Bella finally felt a satisfying sense of revenge.
"Keep going!" Bella shook the dice, eyeing William. This was far from over.
William waved his hand, saying, "I feel a bit dizzy. I might not be able to drink much more."
"You're a professional drinker, aren't you? Hurry up and quit stalling!" Bella thought the wine was catching up with William. Wasn't he so cocky earlier?
After downing ten bottles, he could only manage five cups now?
William, finally managing to flush his face, had no choice but to keep playing.
He mostly lost, winning only occasionally.
This only intensified Bella's feeling of triumph.
Bottle by bottle, the alcohol decreased. William kept saying he couldn't drink anymore, but he kept drinking.
Bella had already gone to the restroom twice, but William still sat there, his face flushed but steady.
Lila couldn't help but study William closely, thinking, "This guy has some strong kidneys!"
"Sis, shouldn't we stop now?" Emily was getting scared. She wasn't sure if William was drunk, but Bella definitely was.
"No way! Keep going! You all drink too!" Bella said, her face no longer cold, excitement overtaking her.
Lila picked up a glass, saying, "I'll be out after one drink."
"Drink! Today, I want to see if Lila Carter really can't handle more than one drink!" Bella's excitement grew, now challenging Lila.
Without further ado, Lila downed a glass and then... collapsed onto the sofa.
William was genuinely impressed, "This acting is way too exaggerated!"
Emily said pitifully, "Sis, you know me; I can't hold my liquor either."
Bella glared at her, "What! Don't pretend I don't know. You've been to these places a lot! Drink up, and if you pass out, I'll have William kiss you!"
"That's so harsh! Are you really my sister?" Emily nearly cried, but reluctantly picked up her glass and started drinking.
Lila had feigned being drunk so that if they all got drunk, at least they could still get home safely. Emily wanted to pretend, but couldn't.
And so, Emily also joined their ranks.
Another half an hour passed, and Piper and her group stumbled out of the private room. After settling the bill, she looked around; after all, the sisters she brought with her had male companions, but William was nowhere to be found.
"Maria, where's William?" Piper's eyes were hazy, and she was staggering, unable to find William amid the dim lights and crowded bar.
Maria quickly responded with a smile, "Piper, I'm sorry! William was called away by a friend and took the night off. Do you want me to find someone else to accompany you tonight?"
At that moment, William was with Bella and her group, so Maria certainly couldn't mention that.
Women's feuds could be terrifying, and Maria didn't want to offend anyone.
Piper waved her hand, "No need! Tell William I had a great time tonight, and I'll come to see him again in a couple of days!"
"Let me see you out," Maria said politely, and after escorting her out of the bar, she breathed a sigh of relief. As the owner, she had to make sure everything was perfect.
By 2 AM, the bar had fewer customers, and William's table had astonishingly finished all the drinks. As for Bella, she was sprawled on the couch, snoring and completely undignified.
Lila sat up and said, "Alright, let's call it a night."
William smiled, "Come again tomorrow."
"You're not drunk?!" Lila frowned at William.
William replied, "I can be."
"Liar!" Lila rolled her eyes at him, then helped Bella up.
Emily seemed to handle her liquor better than Bella, at least she could still talk normally.
"William, you really can drink! I'm impressed!"
"Likewise!" William nodded at her, "Emily, remember to come support us often."
William didn't mind being in contact with the descendants of servants from 50 years ago; he believed in going with the flow, not deliberately distancing himself, but not getting too close either.
Emily grinned, showing her teeth, "Of course, I'll introduce more customers to you in the future. If you don't want to work hard anymore, remember to tell me."
William said, "Don't worry, if I ever decide to slack off, your sister will be my first choice, since she signed up first."