"Congratulations to Mr. Winters on your promotion!" Ethan, the man who cheated on you with your best friend, Jessica, and ended up marrying her, shouted. He stood in front of the table, mixing drinks with exaggerated motions, spilling liquor as he went, and creating a mess.

Nobody said a word as they silently watched him, the awkwardness hanging thick in the air.

"Nothing? I thought mixing drinks was popular these days..." Ethan's voice grew less confident and quieter with each word, the bravado draining from his face as he realized he was alone in his antics.

Alexander let out an awkward laugh, clapping his hands a few times, a gesture that was followed by a smattering of reluctant applause. "Thank you... You can sit down now."

"Yes, sir..." Ethan muttered, his face reddening as he slid back into his seat beside Jessica, who gave him a tight-lipped smile, clearly embarrassed.

"Well..." Ava, Alexander's younger sister, broke the silence, raising her glass with a bright smile, trying to salvage the moment. "A toast to Mr. Winters for his well-deserved promotion and to our company's bright future...?"