Free Web NovelChapter 34: The Hunter Becomes The Prey
Claire watched Liam with hazy, alluring eyes.
The warm sensation from his breath on her earlobe still lingered.
Could this young man really hold his liquor? Most people would have blacked out after three full glasses of whiskey.
At this point, Claire had no choice but to trust him. Still, every time Liam emptied another glass, her heart tightened. Please... don’t push yourself too hard.
"Claire, I’d like to offer you a toast as well."
Another middle-aged businessman rose to his feet, lifting his glass with a confident smile.
He was convinced Liam had already reached his limit. No one could put away that much whiskey without eventually collapsing.
Before Claire could respond, Liam calmly took the glass from her.
"Allow me."
He drained it in a single gulp. His body swayed unsteadily, as if he might hit the floor at any moment, but somehow he remained standing.
The businessman stared at him in disbelief. Is this guy some kind of monster?
Rebecca quietly observed the exchange between Liam and Claire. Their interactions were unusually close, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on why. Whatever the truth was, she decided to keep watching.
"Gentlemen, I’ve already raised a glass with Claire. Now I’d like to drink with all of you."
Instead of waiting for another challenge, Liam took the initiative. He uncorked another bottle of premium whiskey and walked over to Zack.
He filled Zack’s glass to the brim. Then he turned to the others.
"Gentlemen, it’s an honor to drink with you."
One by one, he topped off every glass while offering a few flattering words. No one wanted to lose face in front of the group.
Rebecca watched the scene unfold with growing admiration. Liam wasn’t relying on alcohol alone. He was using confidence, respect, and just the right amount of flattery to keep every one of them drinking.
Combined with everything Monica had told her about his fluency in French and exceptional computer skills, Liam became even more fascinating.
"Gentlemen. Liam raised his own glass.
"I’ll lead the way."He emptied it without hesitation.
Seeing the concern in Claire’s eyes, he flashed her a reassuring smile. She was still worried, but she chose to believe him.
Across the table, the seven businessmen exchanged uneasy glances. How is he still standing? By now, he had consumed even more whiskey than any of them.
Even seasoned drinkers should have been unconscious. He can’t keep this up forever. They clung to that thought. There was no way a group of experienced businessmen could lose a drinking contest to an eighteen-year-old.
Liam calmly refilled every glass.
"Gentlemen, another round."No one backed down. The atmosphere gradually shifted. What had started as amusement became unease.
Liam looked ready to collapse, yet every time they expected him to fall, he simply picked up another glass. Bottle after bottle disappeared.
Finally, after taking another long drink, Liam staggered back to his seat. Halfway through the glass, his head dropped onto the table.
Seeing that, the others let out relieved sighs. One after another, they slumped over in their chairs or collapsed onto the floor. Only Zack remained, barely conscious as he struggled to stay upright.
"Zack," Monica said with a smile, "we have to share one last drink." She glanced at the unconscious businessmen around them. "Your friends are already out. You can’t disappoint Liam after everything he’s done for the company tonight."
Half-drunk and seeing double, Zack looked across the table. In his blurred vision, Claire seemed to be looking at him with open contempt, as if mocking him for losing to a young man.
His pride couldn’t accept it. Without another word, he grabbed the glass and drained it. Seconds later, he collapsed face-first onto the table.
Silence filled the private room. Monica and the others stared in disbelief. Seven grown men... All defeated by a single teenager.
Liam slowly lifted his head. His eyes were perfectly clear. Inside, he silently praised the Iron Liver skill. Without it, anyone who drank that much whiskey would already be on their way to the emergency room.
"That bastard!" Rebecca exploded. "The anonymous message was right!"
Without hesitation, she snatched an empty whiskey bottle from the table and swung it hard across Zack’s head.
The glass shattered with a sharp crack. Blood immediately trickled down the side of his forehead, but he remained unconscious.
Liam blinked in surprise.
Rebecca had always appeared elegant and composed, but the betrayal had clearly unleashed a colder, unforgiving side of her. She showed Zack no mercy whatsoever.
"What the hell happened?"
Monica cried, her voice rising in panic. "Why would you do that?"
Rebecca took a slow, steadying breath before answering.
"I received a message saying this bastard planned to get Claire drunk and take her to a hotel. At first, I didn’t believe it."
She glanced at the unconscious men sprawled across the room.
"But after watching them coordinate all night, I knew it was true."
She turned to Monica.
"Don’t worry. You’re safe."
Monica quietly lowered her head, relieved that Zack had never shown any real interest in her.
"We’re leaving."
Feeling uncomfortable staying another second, Claire took Liam’s arm, and the two of them hurried out of the private room.
Outside, instead of calling for a driver, they walked through the quiet streets of Riverton. Years ago, this part of town would have been deserted after dark. They eventually stopped beneath a towering oak tree.
Only then did the alcohol begin catching up to Claire. She looked at Liam with gratitude shining in her eyes.
"You drank that much... and you’re still standing." "That’s incredible."
Remembering how he had stood between her and seven determined businessmen, warmth spread through her chest.
"I really owe you." "If Rebecca hadn’t exposed Zack, I never would’ve realized what they were planning." "No wonder they kept insisting on toasting me." "They were working together from the very beginning."
She let out a quiet sigh.
"I honestly don’t know how I’ll ever repay you."
She noticed Liam’s slightly unfocused gaze. Even with his unbelievable tolerance, the alcohol had to be affecting him by now. Or so she thought.
Beneath his dazed expression, Liam’s mind remained perfectly clear. Without a word, he pulled Claire firmly against him, one hand gripping her waist possessively while the other slid up to cup the back of her neck.
He crushed his lips to hers in a deep, hungry kiss.Claire was still very drunk her mind hazy and her balance unsteady but the sudden heat of his kiss made her moan softly.
The kiss turned raw and filthy.
Claire was still very drunk her mind hazy and her balance unsteady but the sudden heat of his kiss made her moan softly.
He sucked on her tongue, bit her lower lip, then soothed it with his own. His hand slid down to squeeze her full ass, pressing her body tight against his hardening cock.
Claire melted instantly, her hands fisting his shirt as she kissed him back desperately, grinding her hips against him under the tree.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, Liam checked the system.
The mission was complete. A small, satisfied smile crossed his face. Everything had gone exactly as planned.
