Demons Beside YouDemons Beside You
“What’s Purple Brew?” Talist asked in confusion.
“You don’t know?” Angus said. “It’s the practically legendary wine.”
“Oh… I remember. Is it the magical wine that apparently saved all the elites at the Hilda Hotel last time?”
“Yes.”
Talist was even more pissed. Even though he and Rasfa were equals in the company, they still competed in terms of abilities, connections, and wealth.
This time, his party was rejected by many guests and they instead chose to attend Rasfa’s party.
This was a provocation or even a declaration of war to him.
That night, Talist discovered that practically no important guests had come.
He was so furious that he smashed everything in his bedroom.
It wasn’t just a party. To upper-class elites like him, the guests at his party could reflect his identity and status.
Like today, only some nobodies had come. This was like humiliation for him.
It would be alright if one or two people didn’t come.
But practically no important guests had come today, so what would the one or two important ones think?
They would think that Talist’s power had weakened and was abandoned by his allies.
On the other hand, everyone running over to Rasfa was also a great blow to him.
Parties were important for strengthening and expanding connections too.
One party might not be able to represent anything, but what about two, three, or four times?
Regular people would grow apart if they didn’t meet for a long while, let alone interest groups.
They also needed all sorts of gatherings and parties to maintain their relationships.
Talist called Angus again late at night.
“Hi, Angus. It’s me, Talist.”
“Oh, Talist, what’s wrong?”
“How’s Rasfa’s party?”
“Do you want to hear the truth or lie?”
“Truth, of course.”
“It’s an addictive wine. It’s amazing.”
“You’re saying that he drugged it?”
“No, no. It’s completely the wine’s own attraction. It’s hard to describe. I’ve never drunk such a mesmerizing wine. It’s filled with fantasies and it has a faraway and exotic taste that makes me—”
As Angus started talking about the Purple Brew, he started rambling endlessly.
Angus grew even more furious. “Enough! I don’t want to hear your bullsh*t!”
“Why are you yelling at me?”
Talist realized that he’d lost his temper. Angus was his important ally in the company.
The man was the third-largest shareholder in the company. Talist was able to compete with Rasfa in the company due to the support of Angus and other shareholders.
They didn’t have a vertical relationship. He didn’t want to lose this ally due to this.
“Sorry, Angus. Is that wine really so tempting? Can it make people lose their minds?”
“No, it’s the opposite. It can make you more clear-headed. It’s just so magical.” Angus started rambling again. He could feel Talist’s feelings too. “To be honest, if Rasfa provides this wine again and you hold a party too, I’ll choose him too. Sorry… This isn’t about interests. The wine is just unforgettable.”
Talist wasn’t stupid. If Angus kept attending Rasfa’s party, who could be sure that he wouldn’t lean towards Rasfa?
“Do you know the wine’s background?”
“No. I asked him too, but Rasfa wouldn’t answer. The others answer vaguely too. They say that it’s from an Asian winery clan.”
“That d*mn scrooge,” Talist growled through clenched teeth. “Is there any way to get information about the wine from him?”
“I can’t. He’s really guarded against me, as you know.”
Soon, there was a trending line among the wealthy of L.A.
Don’t hold a party without Purple Brew, or else it’ll be very boring.
It was an incredibly proud thing to be able to host a party with Purple Brew, even if each person could only get one glass.
…
Rasfa’s friend pulled on him with a livid expression.
“Rasfa, you’ve already thrown three parties. Each time, you say you ran out of Purple Brew, but then you can take one bottle out for the guests. You’re obviously lying to me.”
Nelson had come to all three parties and drunk three glasses.
But he grew even more obsessed. Each time, he would pull on Rasfa and try to get information about the Purple Brew.
Or try to get the actual wine.
But Rasfa kept his lips sealed about the Purple Brew and any information.
Nelson wished he could tie Rasfa up and pry his mouth open.
Yesterday, Nelson also held a party, but he discovered that many guests were a bit disappointed.
One friend even asked why he didn’t have Purple Brew.
Nelson almost exploded. Why didn’t he have Purple Brew?
Didn’t they know how precious that wine was?
Nelson didn’t lack money. His company’s total value was 20 times that of Rasfa.
He also had a small portion of the film industry.
But Rasfa—someone who worked in entertainment—had something that he didn’t.
This was an insult to Nelson.
“Nelson, I got this bottle today and I hurriedly called everyone here to taste it. Doesn’t this show my sincerity?”
Being invited to taste the Purple Brew was completely different from having one’s own bottle and inviting friends to taste it.
“Rasfa, just tell me. What price are you willing to sell it for?”
“Nelson, I really don’t have anymore.”
“I heard that your company will screen a movie in July. I can help you add at least 500 theaters.”
Rasfa arched an eyebrow. Steven’s new movie was airing in July.
But Steven also came to complain that there wasn’t enough time and there weren’t many theaters.
“Nelson, I’ll try my best to get you a bottle.”
“How long will it take?”
“I can’t promise you.”
“You don’t have any in your house?”
“You can search me. If you find one, I’ll give it to you for free.”
“I’m hosting an important guest in three days. I hope I can get a bottle by then. Any price is fine. You know that I don’t care about money.”