?<strong>Chapter 157:</strong>


    “Cheers,” Belinda said, raising her whiskey ss and clinking it with Johnson’s. She downed her whiskey in one go and immediately topped up her ss.


    “Another one,” she said, consuming three sses swiftly. As she reached for a fourth, Johnson quickly intervened to stop her, saying, “Hold on, that’s plenty! You’ll bepletely drunk soon if you keep this up.”


    Belinda waved off his concern nonchntly. “Don’t worry; I can handle it.”


    “Even if your alcohol tolerance is high, this isn’t the way to drink,” Johnson cautioned.


    After a pause, he asked worriedly, “What’s driving you to drink like this?”


    With a bitter chuckle, Belinda opened up about her loomingpetition with Kylee. Johnson’s brows furrowed with concern, prompting him to ask, “What happened after you agreed topete with her? Has your father talked to you?”


    Belinda shook her head slightly, saying, “It’s actually my mother…”


    She let out a sarcastic chuckle and continued, “She is hoping I will let Kylee win thepetition.”


    “What?” Johnson’s shock was evident. “Your mom really said that to you? She wants you to just let Kylee win?”


    Belinda confirmed it with a nod. “Yes, strange, isn’t it?”


    Johnson was momentarily speechless, struggling to process what he had just heard. After a pause, he questioned, “But why would she ask that of you?”


    Belinda’s eyes drifted downwards as she exined, “She mentioned that if Kylee were to be expelled because of her rivalry with me, it would only make things more difficult for us both at home.”


    Johnson absorbed her words for a moment and then said, “I understand her concern; it’s not unfounded. But still… asking you to lose to Kylee because of that? That’s not right! Is she aware of what losing could mean for you?”


    “She’s aware of that,” Belinda replied, taking a deep breath before she ryed the disheartening things Holley had said to her.


    After hearing everything, Johnson let out a dryugh. “She is certainly only looking out for her own interests, isn’t she? But has she thought about how you’ll maintain your dignity in the rk family if you really lose? And with everyone already talking about the matter, if you let Kylee win, it will only fuel the gossip even more. You can’t makepromises this time!” he said firmly.


    Despite hearing that, Belinda said, “I’ve already given her my word. I told her I would let Kylee have her way.”


    Upon hearing Belinda’s words, Johnson furrowed his brows, worry etched on his face. “Belinda! Have you lost your mind?” he eximed, his voice thick with concern.


    Belinda shed him a sly smile, her tone yful yet sharp. “Why are you so worked up? I promised to let Kylee have her way, but the details… those are mine to define.”


    Johnson rxed upon hearing that, hisughter echoing in the room. “That’s more like you,” he said with a grin. “Alright, since you’re clearly not in the best spirits, I will drink with you until you are satisfied! Let’s drown these absurdities.”


    Johnson could see the weight of her mother’s request pressing on Belinda. Drinking seemed the most straightforward escape for her.


    Belinda, clearly thinking the same thing, knocked back her ss with a single tilt. Although she usually maintained herposure even when drinking, tonight was different. The alcohol hit her hard and fast, and she was drunk soon. She transformed, her inhibitions lost to the liquor.


    “Hello, everybody! Let’s get this party started! Show me your hands!” she shouted, standing on the sofa. She held a fake flower in one hand, and a vase became her fake microphone. She was pretending she was the star of her solo concert.


    .


    .


    .