Family celebration I

The party was moving along at a good pace. Laughter filled the dining room as bottles of beer and wine emptied one after another. Gradually, the alcohol did its work, and everyone present began to loosen up.

Julian, however, had only drunk water, patiently observing as the alcohol took effect on his adoptive family.

Guinevere rested her elbow on the table, looking at her father with bright, slightly unfocused eyes. "Dad... when you get promoted again... I want something... something special. I don't know... maybe a trip abroad... and a new wardrobe. And shoes. Lots of them..."

Cedric, already too drunk to think clearly, chuckled: "Whatever you want, princess. Although I'm not a millionaire... we can look into that... we can manage something..."

Beatrice, still holding her glass, frowned. "Cedric, you shouldn't spoil Guinevere like that. You're turning her into a spoiled child."

*She's already a spoiled child* Julian thought with a grimace.

"Hey, Mom! Stay out of it" Guinevere retorted, shooting an annoyed look at Beatrice.

Marcus, having drunk enough to be staggering, joined the conversation with his usual pompous tone. "If we're going to ask for things... then, Dad, how about buying me an... umm... an Ignite EX? That new phone that just came out. It's the best on the market."

Marcus was a handsome young man with a strong jawline and an egocentric gaze, bearing a strong resemblance to his father Cedric. He was currently studying at Quantum University, one of the most prestigious in the country, and never missed a chance to mention it in every conversation. His boastful attitude and tendency to flaunt his achievements often made him unbearable, especially for Julian, who was constantly compared to him.

"Marcus, your mother already bought you a smartphone last month. Why do you want another one?" Cedric smiled with irony.

Guinevere was Cedric's favorite daughter, and Marcus was Beatrice's favorite son. Both parents indulged their children, fulfilling all their whims. As for Julian, well... he didn't even enter the equation.

Marcus, with a drunken grin, raised his hand as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Yesss... but that was a Volto... I want something better. Something with more... style, you know."

Beatrice, with a look that could freeze blood, adjusted her glasses and fixed her eyes on her son. Her presence, despite being softened by drink, was still quite imposing.

"Are you saying you didn't like my gift?" She asked slowly.

A chill ran through the table. Marcus laughed nervously, trying to amend his mistake while avoiding his mother's gaze.

"Of course I liked it, Mom. I think I misspoke. Hahaha…"

Julian, who had been attentively observing the entire exchange, decided the moment had come. Without anyone noticing, he discreetly took out the [Silver Tongue Pill] from his pocket and swallowed it with a sip of water.

⟦ A "Silver Tongue Pill" has been consumed. ⟧

⟦ Enhancement activated. Duration: 2H. ⟧

Contrary to his expectations, Julian didn't feel anything. There was no magical flash or immediate sense of power. But when he looked back at his family, something in his mind clicked. Everything seemed clearer, simpler. The words that used to stick in his throat now flowed easily.

"If everyone is so eager to ask for things, why don't we do something more interesting tonight?" he suddenly said, surprising everyone at the table. It was rare for Julian to speak, let alone propose something at a family gathering. But the confident tone in his voice, something they had never heard before, threw them off.

Guinevere studied him with a frown, trying to understand what her adopted brother was up to.

"What are you saying, Julian? What do you have in mind?" Her tone was sharp, but she was interested.

Julian smiled, but this time it wasn't the shy smile his family knew. It was a cunning smile.

"It's a game I saw on the internet. It's called The Appearance Game. It's quite popular abroad. I thought it might be fun for all of us."

Cedric, drunk enough to accept anything that sounded entertaining, rested his chin on his hand, intrigued. "And how do you play that, son? I have no idea about drinking games."

Julian looked at his stepfather with a slight hint of disdain; he didn't like being called son.

"It's very simple, Dad. Each person has to say something about themselves, something that could be true or a lie. Then, others have to judge whether what was said is true or not. If someone thinks it's a lie and is wrong, they have to drink."

"Oh, that sounds easy" Marcus interjected, smiling arrogantly, as if he were invincible in any competition. "I bet this will be a piece of cake for me."

"This game is more complicated than it seems" Julian replied, keeping his casual tone but with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You have to be convincing, otherwise you'll end up drinking yourself. The goal is to deceive others, to pretend what isn't. And if you deceive them, they drink. If not, you drink."

Beatrice, however, wasn't so convinced. She crossed her arms and looked at Julian with suspicion. She hadn't drunk as much as the rest, so her mind was clearer. "I don't think it's a good idea. We've had quite enough to drink."

Julian leaned forward, capturing her attention with a gaze that seemed sharper than usual. "It'll just be a few rounds, 'Mom'. Plus, there's a prize" He added with an insinuating tone, raising a finger. "The winner can ask for a favor from any of the losers. Nothing material. Just something simple that they can't refuse."

"I see…" Beatrice grimaced, not liking being called "Mom," but she let it slide.

Meanwhile, the word "favor" caught everyone's attention. Suddenly, the game seemed more interesting. Laughter mixed with an underlying competitive air.

"Alright, I'm in" Guinevere, always competitive, crossed her arms and gave Julian a challenging look. "I have nothing to hide. Let's see if you can catch me."

"Me too. Let's do this." Marcus nodded, his ego inflated by alcohol and confidence.

Cedric, relaxed and with his head already a bit cloudy, raised his glass. "Sounds like good entertainment. Let's play."

Beatrice was the last to agree but finally conceded with a sigh, adjusting her tight blouse. "Fine, but just a few rounds."

"Of course, Mom. You're going to love it" Julian was the picture of sincerity. "It's a promise..."