Chapter 232: Refusing Alcohol

Chapter 232: Refusing Alcohol

In my past life, I knew too little about Knox. I knew only that he was ruthless; I had no idea that he could be so shameless.
I was so angry that I actually laughed. "Knox, why do you think that giving me some benefits will make me do what you say?"

"Helena, I didn't mean it."

In a panic, Knox explained, "I'm being sincere. I'm offering the entire Pemberton family fortune as an engagement gift! Isn't that sincere enough?"

"Whether or not you're sincere has nothing to do with me. Do you think I'll agree just because you offer me benefits? Let me tell you again—I already have a boyfriend."

At this point, I let out a cold laugh. "Even if I didn't have a boyfriend, who do you think you are? Do you think I'd be interested in you?"

My words were direct and merciless. They left Knox frozen on the spot. After a moment, he asked through gritted teeth, "Helena, you really won't marry me?"

"Why would I marry you?"

I felt like I'd just heard the funniest joke. "Knox, in terms of family background, aren't the Lockwoods and the Lancasters both better off than you? As for shares, I already own ten percent of the Pemberton Group. Do you think I care about what's left? Besides, I don't need to say much about the Pemberton Group's current financial situation, do I? Your plan is clever, but unfortunately for you, it doesn't work on me!"

"You!"

Knox was furious but completely helpless. Through clenched teeth, he said, "Fine, Helena. I see you clearly now. Your heart is made of stone. Alright, you look down on me—that's fine. But if you think that bastard Atlas can make you happy, dream on!"

Seeing how agitated he was, I said coldly, "It isn't your place to say whether he can or not. Knox, you're about to marry Natasha. You should worry about yourself!"

After saying this, the car stopped. I opened the door and got out.

Another car pulled up beside me. York and Owen opened the door and quickly ran to my side.

York looked at me with some concern and then then glanced at Knox who had also gotten out of the car. He asked urgently, "Ms. Lockwood, are you okay? We just got trapped in the elevator by some idiots and couldn't keep up with you."

I shook my head. I saw that Xavier and several other shareholders were already waiting at the hotel entrance. I walked toward Xavier and said softly to York and Owen, "Follow me."

"Helena, please come in."

Xavier extended his hand with a smile. "I don't know your preferences, so I took the liberty of ordering. If there's anything you can't eat, just let them know."

"I'm not picky."

I nodded at Xavier. When I was engaged to Knox before, Xavier always acted like an elder. Now that the engagement was broken off, he could still lower himself like this when facing me. Truly an old fox who'd been in business for years—smooth as they come.

As I stepped forward, I saw Knox following with an ugly expression, while Owen and York stayed close behind me.

In the private room, the shareholders were already seated. The moment they saw me, they all stood up. "Ms. Lockwood is here."

I nodded. "Please, everyone sit."

After we were seated, Xavier gave a look to the waiter behind him, who quickly filled my wine glass.

Xavier raised his glass. "Today is the first time we're sitting down to eat with Helena. How about we start with three drinks?"

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a chorus of approval.

"Yes, yes, let's all drink!"

The other shareholders raised their glasses. I looked at my full glass of red wine and frowned. "Get me a glass of water instead."

As soon as I said this, everyone in the room froze.

Xavier's expression darkened as he set down his glass. "Helena, what do you mean by this? Are we old folks not worthy of your company?"

I replied calmly, "It's not that I'm unwilling to drink. I've just never drunk alcohol. Mr. Pemberton, you wouldn't force me, would you?"

Seeing my direct counterattack, Xavier's face instantly turned ugly.

The atmosphere in the room turned ice-cold. The lively laughter stopped abruptly, and everyone's eyes locked on me with a mix of curiosity and scrutiny.

Xavier's fingers tightened around his glass, making it creak slightly. The smile completely disappeared from his face, leaving only a shadow. "Helena, you're quite arrogant for someone so young. In business, alcohol represents sincerity. If you won't even drink one glass, does that mean you don't respect us at all?"

These words were extremely pointed, clearly looking for an excuse to suppress me while stirring up trouble between me and the others.

I picked up the glass of water that had just been brought, lightly tapping the rim with my fingertips, meeting his gaze without backing down. "Mr. Pemberton, you're joking. Since I entered the business world, I've had a rule—no alcohol. Sincerity has never been in a wine glass; it's in genuine cooperation between both parties."

I paused, slowly scanning the shareholders with their various expressions, my voice clear but sharp. "Everyone here is a senior in business and surely understands better than I do. Compromises forced through drinking won't last long. Real mutual benefit is what's worth maintaining. I came today for long-term cooperation with the Pemberton Group and to help it go further, not to compete in drinking."

As I finished, several shareholders showed signs of being moved.

Most of them valued practical benefits and were already dissatisfied with the Pemberton Group's declining performance in recent years. Naturally, they wouldn't offend me over a glass of wine when I held real power and could save the company.

Seeing this, Knox immediately stepped forward, saying sarcastically, "Dad, I told you—Helena has always been arrogant and looks down on us. She doesn't respect you, so you can imagine how little she cares about the Pemberton Group."

He was still holding a grudge from earlier.

I glanced at him sideways and laughed coldly. "Knox, why are you so anxious? Just because I don't drink doesn't mean I won't bring benefits. Instead of stirring up trouble, you should think about why the Pemberton Group has been losing money for years. If you were capable enough, we wouldn't need an outsider like me today."

That one sentence left Knox's face dark with anger, unable to say anything in rebuttal.

At this point, a director stood up to ease the tension. "Alright, it's all a misunderstanding. Ms. Lockwood is young, so it's normal for her not to drink. We won't force her."

With him speaking up, the other shareholders quickly followed suit to ease the atmosphere. No one wanted to really create a rift.

Seeing that no one was on his side, and perhaps wary of my ten percent stake, Xavier could only suppress his anger and force out a stiff smile. "I was too hasty. Since Helena has her rules, then do as you please."

The drink was consumed, but I knew how unwillingly Xavier had swallowed it.