Chapter 51
Chapter 51:
The effects of the drug intensified within Neville, making his skin itch and his body flush with unbearable heat. He felt an urgent need to head to the restroom to vomit.
However, just as he was about to move, the door to the private room burst open. A team of waiters wheeled in a stunningly arranged champagne tower, consisting of forty-nine glasses stacked in a perfect pyramid.
One of the waiters, beaming, approached Neville. “Mr. Gray, your champagne tower has arrived. Could you please sign here for it p>
“When did I place this order?” Neville asked, confusion crossing his face.
Instantly, his expression fell. This was the most expensive champagne offered at Nightfall Bar, and a single tower could cost him two months’ salary.
The waiter continued, still cheerful, “At Nightfall Bar, the person who reserves the room settles the bill. You’re familiar with our rules, aren’t you, Mr. Gray? You’re one of our regulars p>
Neville seethed internally. He hadn’t made any progress with Helena, so why should he be responsible for an extravagant champagne tower?
His annoyance was clear as he retorted, “I don’t care about the rules. I won’t pay for this. The person who ordered it should. As for everyone else’s drinks, they can pay for themselves p>
An awkward silence settled over the room. Helena, sensing an opening, interjected, “Mr. Gray, didn’t you say Mr. Palmer treated us to this?” She gave him an innocent look.
Several interns confirmed their support, with one adding, “We’ve all seen the screenshot of Mr. Palmer’s message to Helena p>
Dominick, seeing an opportunity, suggested, “Mr. Gray, since you’re close to Mr. Palmer, perhaps you should verify with him directly?” He dialed Laurence’s number and was about to hand the phone to Neville when Neville sharply gestured for him to stop, retreating as he exclaimed, “There’s no need for that p>
Neville didn’t dare let Laurence cover the costs. He knew that if Laurence found out the evening had unintentionally turned into a party, he would face a harsh scolding.
The drug’s effects were growing more intense, and Neville’s body burned with a sharp heat. His discomfort was palpable.
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His gaze towards the female interns became disturbingly predatory. Denied Helena’s attention, he seemed ready to leave with anyone who might agree.
Helena moved decisively to shield Tessa and the other interns from his view, her expression so cold and formidable that it sent a chill through Neville.
Tessa noticed Neville’s obvious arousal and gasped audibly. Many of the women saw it too, and the younger interns looked at him with disgust.
The reality of the situation dawned on everyone. Neville had exploited Laurence’s name to entice female colleagues to the bar. If they hadn’t arrived as a group, the early arrivals might have found themselves in dangerous circumstances.
Flustered, Neville tried to escape, but the waiters cornered him.
“Mr. Gray, you need to sign for this,” one waiter said, growing impatient.
Cornered and agitated, Neville repressed his frustration. He quickly scribbled his signature with one hand while awkwardly covering his groin with the other, then hurried out of the room in embarrassment.
Silence fell over the room for a moment, before it was broken by bursts of laughter.
As the laughter subsided, no one bothered to follow Neville. Dominick held back a chuckle. “He’s unlikely to pull a stunt like that again anytime soon p>
Helena exhaled deeply. She realized that Neville’s audacity had largely been because he felt protected by Laurence. Publicly embarrassing Neville now would also mean confronting Laurence, potentially jeopardizing her own career advancement.
But if they didn’t address Neville’s behavior, he might continue targeting other female colleagues in the future, especially those younger than Helena.
“Helena, we’ll raise a glass to you,” one colleague said.
Turning, Helena noticed Tessa approaching with a glass of champagne, followed by several interns.
Tessa drained her glass in one swift gulp, gathering the courage to voice her concerns. “Mr. Gray has been inappropriate with many of us, yet his reputation remains untarnished because no one dares to speak out p>
Another colleague, her face tinged with emotion, chimed in, “And if we complain, Mr. Palmer dismisses us, claiming we’re being too sensitive p>
Tessa’s expression was regretful. “I saw Betsey misleading you earlier. I wanted to correct her, but she pulled me aside before I could p>
The other interns lowered their heads, ashamed. They remembered how they had once spoken ill of Helena, trying to boost their own chances of securing positions at Nexus TV when Eleanor was still around.
After a long pause, they were met with Helena’s forgiving smile.