Chapter 54 How about You Drink This Wine Yourself?

The design department took on a rush job and was short-handed.

Isabella got transferred there urgently, but no one paid her any attention when she arrived.

She sat at her desk all morning until a young man asked if she was from the secretary department.

"Yes, I'm Isabella."

"HR said you majored in oil painting. Perfect, this client is tough. Can you design a few things? Here are the requirements." He handed her a paper full of demands.

Isabella majored in oil painting but knew nothing about commercial design.

She was about to explain she might not be able to do it, but the guy walked away, already on the phone.

With no choice, Isabella studied the client's requirements.

The client wanted a pendant design, which had nothing to do with oil painting. She decided to give it a try.

The young man kept checking in.

"Is it done yet?"

"How much longer?"

"Can you hurry up?"

"Come on, speed it up."

He kept pushing her.

The design had to be done that day because the client needed it urgently.

After a few attempts, the young man took her sketches.

Seeing it was time to leave, Isabella started packing up.

The young man came over again, "Isabella, don't leave yet. There's a dinner, and you need to come."

Isabella didn't like socializing and wanted to refuse, "Do I have to go?"

"Yes," he said firmly. "You designed the sketches, and the client specifically asked for you."

He was about to leave again.

Isabella realized she didn't know his name, so she said, "Sir..."

He turned around, "My name is Sawyer Reed. You can call me Sawyer."

"Sawyer, can I not go?" Isabella asked.

"Nope. Get ready, we'll leave soon." Sawyer didn't give her a chance to refuse.

Isabella couldn't refuse her boss's orders.

Waiting at the company's entrance, she ran into Molly, who had just finished work.

"Isabella, what are you doing here? Why aren't you going home?" Molly asked.

"They said there's a dinner," Isabella pointed upstairs.

"A dinner? Does the design department need to socialize?" Molly thought about the design department's issues and said, "They're really desperate for performance."

Isabella was confused, "Why do you say that?"

"While you were away, the design department was tormented by a client and almost became a joke. They probably transferred you to use your looks," Molly said disdainfully.

Isabella sighed, "Without good work, looks are useless."

"That's why I said they're desperate. I heard that client is a perv. Be careful," Molly warned.

Isabella nodded, "Don't worry."

She stayed cautious.

Sawyer and a few guys from the design department came out, signaling Isabella to follow.

She walked slowly and got into the car with them.

Including Isabella, there were three men and one woman from the design department.

In the car, Isabella stayed quiet. After a few glances at her, Sawyer said, "Don't be nervous, it's just a meal. Micah Hughes is a bit odd. It's rare for him to like your design and insist on meeting you. If this works out, you'll be a big help to our department."

Isabella didn't care about that at all.

They arrived at a fancy private restaurant with luxury cars at the entrance. The four of them followed the waiter into a private room.

The room wasn't very large. Micah sat at the head of the table, and Sawyer made sure Isabella sat next to him.

Everyone knew Micah was old and lecherous. Isabella understood Sawyer's real intention; talking about design was just an excuse, and drinking was the real purpose.

"And who is this?" Micah squinted at Isabella, looking lecherously.

Micah had seen beautiful women before, but such a pure and captivating beauty was a first for him. He couldn't help but lean towards Isabella.

Isabella moved aside, feeling nauseous from Micah's cologne.

Sawyer quickly introduced, "This is our new employee, Isabella Neville. The design you liked was hers."

"A talented beauty indeed," Micah said, reaching out to grab Isabella's hand.

She dodged and was about to stand up when Sawyer, standing beside her, pressed her down and said, "Isabella, it's rare for Mr. Hughes to appreciate you. Go on, make a toast."

Micah had already raised his glass and said, "Ms. Neville."

Isabella held her glass but had no intention of drinking. She didn't know if the drink was spiked and wasn't foolish enough to down it, so she said, "Mr. Hughes, I don't drink. How about you drink it yourself?"

Micah put his glass down and shouted, "What? I drink it myself? That's kind of rude. Sawyer, is this how you respect your clients?"

Sawyer's face changed, and he immediately tried to smooth things over, "Isabella is not used to this. Maybe she's just shy. Let me talk to her."

Sawyer pulled Isabella out of the room and scolded her, "What do you mean? What's wrong with having a drink? If he doesn't sign the contract, our department's task won't be completed, and it won't be good for anyone."

"What does that have to do with me?" Isabella found it ridiculous.

"How does it not? Aren't you part of the design department?" Sawyer asked.

"I'm part of the design department, so I have to drink? Sawyer, today is my first day helping out, and you want me to drink with this creep? What do you mean? If you want to sell your body, do it yourself."

Isabella started to walk away but was pulled back by Sawyer, "Who said anything about selling your body? It's just playing along. Don't throw a tantrum. Come on, do me a favor, will ya?"

"Sawyer, you know better than I do what kind of person Micah is. I'll play along, but there are limits. Otherwise, I'm not doing any favors for anyone," she said.

Seeing Isabella relent, Sawyer immediately agreed, "Do you think I'd let you suffer? We're in the same department. Just play along, let him sign the contract quickly, and we'll leave."