After Don Albert escorted the three of them to the diamond box, he smiled and said, “Please, make yourselvesfortable for a bit. I’ll have someone prepare some Dahongpao for you. Feel free to chat while you wait. In a little while, the waiter will bring over the menu for you to look at and order some food. I’ve already ced an order with the kitchen, so once everyone arrives, the cold dishes will be served first. If you’re in the mood for some cards, you can y for a while; the hot dishes will follow as soon as you’re seated.”


    Don Albert’s meticulous nning left the three of them extremely satisfied and even grateful. The two men exchanged nces filled with admiration for Jacob, seeing him as a significant figure, akin to Charlie Wade, who was merely keeping a low profile.


    Before long, the guests for the banquet began arriving one after another.


    Don Albert truly honored Jacob by personally bringing in two bottles of premium three-pound Maotai once everyone was present.


    Zhang Han took the opportunity to order an additional two one-pound bottles of Moutai Feitian.<h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    With a total of eight diners that night, the arrangement of six pounds plus two pounds meant everyone could enjoy one pound of wine each.


    Most of the attendees were likely in their fifties. While some had a decent alcohol tolerance, the potent 53-degree Maotai meant that even the best drinkers could manage just one pound. Jacob himself had an average tolerance, being able to handle half a pound without much trouble.


    However, with Don Albert giving Jacob such respect, the guests at the table mirrored this sentiment, frequently toasting him and showering him withpliments, which inted Jacob’s ego immensely.


    This overwhelming sense of being valued stood in stark contrast to the heartache he felt from being cast aside by Matilda. The boost to his ego felt like the finest remedy, quickly mending the wounds of his spirit. Moreover, the elevated social status of his diningpanions, who eagerly sought to befriend him, greatly enhanced Jacob’s social circle.


    As Jacob’s spirits lifted, so did his capacity to drink.


    Amidst the clinking of sses, Jacob had already downed at least seven taels of liquor.


    By this point, he was speaking quite loudly, yet his tablemates continued to rise and toast him frequently.


    Thanks to the high regard in which others held him, Jacob’s tolerance seemed to rise as well. If he struggled to keep up, he simply pinched his nose and drank as a matter of courtesy.


    By the time the banquet concluded, Jacob was in quite a state, his vision swirling and blurry.


    The others were simrly affected, and they all helped each other out of the box.


    Noticing Jacob was quite intoxicated, Don Albert stepped forward with concern, asking, “Mr. Jacob, would you like me to arrange a ride home for you?”


    Jacob, slightly slurring his words, replied, “Fifth… Fifth Master, you’re… too kind! I’ll just… take a taxi… it’ll be fine!”


    President Pei chimed in, “Jacob, didn’t I mention… that I’d have Xiao Wu drive… for you? Didn’t he? I’ll just give him a call…”


    As soon as Don Albert heard “Xiao Wu,” he exined, “The Xiao Wu that President Pei mentioned has been waiting in the lobby. He arrived around eight and informed our waiter that he was here to wait for you and President Pei. I arranged for him to rest in the lobby.”


    President Pei responded eagerly, “That’s… great! Let… let Xiao Wu drive… drive!”


    With the arrangements made, and knowing that Xiao Wu hadn’t had a drink and looked reliable, Don Albert said, “Alright, I’ll take you down.”


    As the group made their way to the lobby on the first floor, Xiao Wu quickly stood up from the waiting area, approaching President Pei and Jacob respectfully. “President Pei, Vice President, I hope you two haven’t had too much to drink?”


    With a flushed face and a smile, President Pei replied, “Too much? No… not at all! We’re just… enjoying ourselves, having a grand time!”


    After exchanging farewells with those around them, President Pei and Jacob followed Xiao Wu out of Heaven Springs.


    Don Albert apanied them all the way out, and Manager Cheng had already brought Jacob’s Cullinan to the entrance, handing the keys to Xiao Wu. After Don Albert dispensed somest-minute instructions, he bid farewell to everyone and settled into the back seat of a Rolls-Royce.


    Once inside the car, Xiao Wu buckled his seatbelt and presented an invitation, saying to Jacob, “Vice President, this is the invitation from Professor Han that I was asked to deliver. Would you like me to ce it in the armrest box for you?”


    The inebriated Jacob waved dismissively, “What… a shabby invitation! Han… Matilda’s wedding… I… I just won’t go!”


    Noticing Jacob’s state, Xiao Wu simply ced the invitation in the armrest box, saying, “I’ll keep it here for you. You can read it when you wake up tomorrow.”<fn2f58> Fresh chapters posted on Find?Novel</fn2f58>


    Jacob, half-asleep and barely paying attention, urged, “Don’t… don’t talk nonsense… just hurry up and drive…”