With an air of determined elegance, Shuangshuang extended her hand to retrieve the glass, pouring the wine with practiced finesse before offering it to Georgia. The foreign wine, a liquid gem in the goblet, captured the ambient light in its depths. Georgia's gaze lowered to the offering, apprehension, and uncertainty intermingling like shadows dancing upon her features. And yet, despite the opulence before her, a burst of soft laughter escaped her lips as she declined the gesture. "I'm sorry, but I can't indulge in alcohol."
Shuangshuang's response resonated with an exaggerated smile, dripping with astonishment. "Can't drink? The woman who Jack brought along dares to say she can't drink. How amusing it is that she taints his reputation!" Her voice, crafted to carry, was neither a whisper nor a shout, effectively making her sentiment public property. The surrounding guests, drawn by the unexpected spectacle, shifted their attention to the unfolding drama, their eyes alight with curiosity and conjecture.
Caught amidst this stage of scrutiny, Georgia experienced a mixture of emotions. Shuangshuang's remarks cast a spotlight on her, and the weight of being scrutinized by an audience felt both unfamiliar and discomforting. As the crowd turned their gaze upon her, their curiosity transformed into inquisitiveness, demanding answers that she was hesitant to provide.
With a practiced gesture, Shuangshuang continued to maintain her poised façade while shaking her wine glass, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Moreover, these are all friends of Brother Jack. To decline a drink on your first appearance? How audacious it is!"
Georgia's brows knitted as she considered the repercussions of her actions. The eyes that bore into her, a sea of speculative gazes, made her heart race. She didn't desire to bring any undue attention to herself or cause Jack any inconvenience. However, as the seconds ticked by, it became evident that Shuangshuang and her companions were determined to draw her into their web.
Summoning a deep breath and summoning her courage, Georgia extended her hand to accept the wine cup. The vessel, cool and foreign to her touch, represented both compliance and resolve. The first sip of the unfamiliar liquid cascaded down her throat, a fascinating chill that sent tremors through her form. Suppressing the involuntary shiver that rippled down her spine, she lowered the glass after a composed pause, her gaze meeting Shuangshuang's eyes.
A smile, equal parts diplomacy, and defiance graced her lips. "Consider this a courtesy extended to you."
Shuangshuang's expression wavered, the unexpected compliance seemingly unsettling her. A momentary frown marred her features, quickly replaced by a forced smile as she cast a sidelong glance at those around her. Several women, attuned to their silent signals, converged upon Georgia. With a collective air of fellowship, they offered their greetings and raised their glasses to display unity. Each glass of wine contained a subtext of challenge, a gauntlet thrown at Georgia's feet.
As the array of glasses was presented before her, Georgia's fingers tightened unconsciously into a fist beneath the table. The symbolism was not lost on her – it was a trial, a test of endurance cloaked in sophistication. The choices laid before her were daunting – succumb to social pressure or assert her independence at the risk of alienation.
With each subsequent toast, Georgia felt the liquid courage seep into her veins. A warmth spread through her body, a contradiction to the chill that had previously coursed through her. A nagging discomfort settled in the pit of her stomach, the battle between social obligation and personal autonomy unfolding in silent turmoil.
Summoning all the resolve she could muster, she forced herself to endure the ordeal, glass after glass. The world around her became a blur of laughter, conversation, and clinking glasses. She sipped with composure, but her body betrayed the growing unease. Her head swam, her vision blurred, and a flush spread across her cheeks.
A breaking point loomed, and she recognized that she had reached her limit. Another glass was pushed toward her, the final straw that threatened to break her resolve. With a shaky breath, she mustered her strength and reached her decision – it was time to draw the line.
Declining the glass before her, she met Shuangshuang's gaze with a steadiness that belied her internal struggle. "I'm sorry, but I can't continue."
An indignant exhalation escaped Shuangshuang's lips, her frustration palpable as she declared, "What, you won't? Who do you think you are?"
Xu Feng, who had been observing the spectacle with amusement, interjected with a tone of reason. "Shuangshuang, that's enough. They are, after all, guests brought by Brother Jack."
Shuangshuang's lips twisted into a disdainful expression, her frustration clearly unresolved. "Guests? She's nothing! Everyone knows that Jack's heart only beats for Ye Waner!"
The mere mention of "Ye Waner" acted as a catalyst, sending a jolt through Georgia's senses. Her head spun, and the room seemed to sway around her. The name echoed in her mind, a chorus of memories and emotions that crescendoed within her. The mingling effects of alcohol and tension took their toll, and her vision blurred, threatening to plunge her into unconsciousness.
Just as the world threatened to fade to black, a shadow appeared on the periphery of her vision, an anchor amidst the swirling tempest. Emerging from the private confines of a box, Jack strode purposefully toward the scene, his arrival like a breath of fresh air in the suffocating atmosphere.
The cacophony of music and conversation that filled the room seemed to dull in his presence, his magnetic aura commanding attention. The initial dissonance that had shrouded the room began to subside as his eyes found Georgia's, concern etched into his features.
Surveying the scene with an astute glance, he swiftly deduced the situation. Georgia's reddened eyes and the cluster of empty glasses provided a clear narrative. As he drew nearer, his steps steady and purposeful, he pulled her to her feet with a firmness that conveyed both protection and possession.
Their proximity shielded her from the prying eyes of the room, cocooning her in his presence. The music's cadence faded to a distant hum, and the warmth of his touch offered a semblance of comfort amidst the storm of emotions that raged within her.
The crowd's speculative gazes no longer mattered; it was only the connection between them that held weight. As his gaze bore into her, his voice a soft appearance murmur, he posed a question that cut through the clamor of the surroundings, its gravity underscoring his concern. "Who dared to distress you?"
The syllables hung in the air, a lifeline of understanding that he extended to her amidst the tumultuous sea of judgment and expectation.