The car quickly arrived at the agreed location, a private club far from the city center. From the outside, it looked just like a private villa, surrounded by trees, with only a red roof visible from afar.

It was very much in line with Director Brooks's usual low-key style.

But if Ethan Carter really joined, then keeping a low profile would be impossible.

Brian Foster walked into the club with a wry smile, and, following the staff, entered a private room. Though called a private room, the space inside was about half the size of a regular restaurant’s main hall.

As soon as the door opened, Emily Thompson switched to her socializing mode. Wearing expensive high heels, she greeted everyone with a bright smile, her voice softening noticeably—completely different from the motherly tone she used with Brian Foster.

The moment Brian Foster entered, he saw Director Brooks and Editor King sitting together just like during the audition. Editor King was the first to smile at him, and Brian Foster quickly greeted them.

To the right of Director Brooks sat a well-dressed, dignified-looking middle-aged man, who maintained a constant smile and exuded the air of a leader in control. He was probably Henry Wright.

“Hello, President Wright, I’ve heard so much about you.” Emily Thompson stepped forward with a smile. Henry Wright was very gentlemanly, standing up and extending a hand when he saw a lady approach. “A pleasure.”

As a freelancer, Brian Foster had almost never encountered this kind of business dinner. He could only brace himself, walk up, and bow ninety degrees to Henry Wright, saying, “Hello, President Wright, I’m Ethan Carter.”

Perhaps surprised by this rather formal greeting, Brian Foster noticed everyone’s expressions were a bit odd as he straightened up. But soon Henry Wright laughed heartily, pointing at Ethan Carter and saying to Emily Thompson, “Your kid is really honest.”

Emily Thompson quickly joined in with a laugh. “Yes, don’t be fooled by his good looks—he’s actually very down-to-earth.”

Brian Foster wasn’t too pleased with the word “good looks.”

“Ethan, right? Sit here.” President Wright pointed to the second seat next to him. Brian Foster sat down as instructed, and Emily Thompson sat beside him.

“Let’s not talk about work today. Just think of it as me, Someone Wright, treating everyone to a meal.”

A gathering organized by Henry Wright?

This surprised Brian Foster a bit, and he didn’t understand why Henry Wright left an empty seat—did he not want to sit next to him?

“I come to this club often; the food here is quite refined. Director Brooks, I know you enjoy a drink or two, so I specially had someone bring some excellent liquor today—white spirits. You’ll have to do me the honor later.”

Director Brooks’s usually icy face finally showed a hint of a smile. Strangely, when he smiled, he actually looked a bit simple and honest.

“Hey, can Little Carter drink?”

Emily Thompson was about to answer when Brian Foster unconsciously cut in, “I’m okay.”

0901’s voice quickly chimed in: “Mr. Foster, you may have forgotten, but Ethan Carter’s character setting is that he doesn’t drink alcohol.”

“I haven’t forgotten,” Brian Foster replied in his mind. “He can’t, but I can. My physiological traits affect this world’s body, right? It’s fine.”

0901: “Are you prepared for a drinking contest?”

Brian Foster: “It’s still better than other methods. Do you have any hangover medicine for sale?”

0901: “Extra-strength hangover remedy, three hundred a bottle, fair price for all.”

Brian Foster: “…Give me a bottle first.”

As soon as he finished speaking, his right suit pocket felt heavier. Brian Foster reached in and found a small bottle about the size of a zinc supplement.

Truly a fair deal for all.

Suddenly, he felt his leg get kicked. Brian Foster turned and saw Emily Thompson glaring at him, so he could only smile back.

“Didn’t expect it—Ethan looks so refined but can actually drink! Good, I like that. Anyone who can’t drink isn’t a real man!”

Others might not know, but Brian Foster did. This President Wright wasn’t a character who appeared at this point in the original story, but he was one of his own creations. When he wrote him, he made him look cultured on the outside but with a strong chivalrous streak underneath. So drinking was a way to win his favor—there was no dodging it.

As they were talking, the door was knocked twice. President Wright immediately laughed and said to Director Brooks, “Finally, he’s here.”

With the sound of the door opening, Brian Foster turned around. In that instant, he remembered what he’d wanted to ask Emily Thompson in the car earlier.

Would Adam Bennett come?

Clearly, he was already here.

Coincidentally, Adam Bennett was also wearing a suit, though his was a light gray casual style that made him look tall and slender. He smiled at those already seated and casually unbuttoned his cuffs. “Sorry I’m late, the driver almost couldn’t find the place.”

President Wright laughed heartily and called Adam Bennett over. Adam Bennett was very at ease, quickly sitting down in the empty seat between Henry Wright and Brian Foster.

For some reason, when Adam Bennett sat down, the person next to him seemed to bristle like a startled kitten. He glanced at Brian Foster, who smiled back at him.

0901: “Mr. Foster, your smile is a bit forced.”

Brian Foster: “Life is hard, don’t expose it.”