"Well, I think it's time to raise our glasses and propose the first toast!" Rick rose from his seat. "I propose to drink for this evening to be just the beginning of our wonderful friendship! For you!"

"For you!" Everyone rose from their seats, and only David and Elena kept sitting.

Holding a glass of wine to his lips, David stared at Elena without stopping. Elena looked into his eyes, then turned away and took a toothpick, which was stuck in a small cube of cheese on a plate. Smoothly opening her mouth, she put a piece of cheese inside and closed her lips. The man stared at her not looking away. She slowly pulled the toothpick out of her mouth, sliding her lips over it. Then she put her hand down and poked the toothpick into his leg.

"Ouch!" David twisted, freeing Elena's leg from his captivity.

"What happened?" Vicky stared at him in bewilderment.

"Oh, nothing, just a mosquito bit me," David laughed in response.

"Mosquito? Why would it be here?" Rick looked skeptically at him. "But you know, I am wondering about one thing. Elena, why did you say you didn't drink alcohol?"

"There are reasons for this."

"She just has a huge alcohol intolerance," Corey immediately sold her out. "You know, once ..."

"Corey!" Elena looked at her friend and she immediately shut her mouth.

"It's true? Well, well, well. I want to know all the details!" Rick was excited, and Elena understood that the interrogation was about to begin.

At that moment, a girl was passing by the table. Suddenly, she was pushed. She stumbled, and the wine she was carrying was immediately spilled on Corey's dress, who was sitting right near her.

"Oh my God, I'm sorry, please, I am so embarrassed." The girl turned to Corey. It was Melinda. "Oh God, Corey! How awkwardly it turned out. I am so sorry. You are all have a rest here, and I ..." Melinda looked around at the guests. "M...Mister Anderson? Are you here too?" The man did not answer.

Corey sat in confusion and looked at her turquoise dress, which was hopelessly ruined. Victoria stood up and walked over to the girl.

"Corey, come with me. The dress needs a serious dry cleaning; otherwise, the stain will not be washed off. I have clothes with me. I'll give you another dress. You'll be sexy as Goddess!"

The girl reproachfully looked at Melinda, took Corey by the hand and led her away to help her get changed.

"Well, please excuse me again. I hope this slight misunderstanding doesn't affect your evening," Melinda replied and was about to leave.

"Miss Matthews", David called her.

"Y-yes, Mr. Anderson?"

"Do not forget to hand over your report tomorrow," David answered and returned to his wine.

Melinda shuddered with irritation; she did not answer and walked away. Passing to the end of the hall, she found a young man there.

"You did everything as I said, didn't you?"

"Yes. I added it to her juice. She already drank it."

"Wonderful. All we have to do is to wait 15 minutes, and it will begin its effect."

"The main thing is that she better not mix it with alcohol. Otherwise, the effect will be increased enormously," young man replied worriedly.

"Never mind. The dose that we gave her will be enough for her even without alcohol. Take your money. We haven't seen other, gotcha?"

"Of course, Miss. Have a nice evening." The guy took the envelope from Melinda's hands and left.

"Fine. Now it's my turn to enjoy the show."