Chapter 49
What has this brat done behind my back this time?
“Oh, come on, it’s my birthday today–everyone’s a guest!” Sensing the tension, Joanna hurried to intervene. “Zeke, don’t throw a tantrum just to surprise me. All right, Celly, Crystal, please, come in.”
The two women stood at the doorway, not moving an inch.
Zeke’s voice turned cold and sharp. “Didn’t you hear Joanna inviting you in? Don’t make me repeat myself.”
Crystal Lennox ignored him and smiled at the restaurant manager standing beside her. “Mr. Smith, did you see that? Isn’t it reasonable that I don’t want to give up my private room to people like this?”
The manager’s face was a picture of embarrassment as he turned to address the guests inside. “This private room was reserved by Miss Lennox a week ago. She’s not willing to exchange it.”
Suddenly, everyone’s expression soured.
Lately, with Alistair in a foul mood, Joanna’s birthday dinner had been kept low–key. The guests tonight weren’t the city’s elite, but each was a prominent figure in Oceanview City.
Never before had any of them been thrown out of a party venue by the staff. If word got around, it’d be an embarrassment they’d never live down.
Zeke lost his temper right away. “Crystal Lennox, are you really being this petty just because I don’t love you? It’s only a private room! Do you really have to hold a grudge?”
Crystal was so infuriated by his self–absorbed accusation that she nearly laughed. Celestine slipped her arm through Crystal’s and replied with gentle, cutting precision, “Mr. Sterling, you’re so quick to judge others by your own standards. Funny, I don’t remember you being so forgiving when you kicked me last time.”
Zeke’s eyes bulged. “Ms. Celestine, who asked for your opinion? That wasn’t because of you! That was because-”
“Zeke!” Joanna stepped forward and took his arm, gently scolding him, “Keep your voice down. Don’t disturb the other guests.”
Idiot. He really had no sense of occasion.
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She knew exactly what he’d done to set up Mirabelle. By now, that woman’s compromising photos must’ve gone viral.
For him to blurt out something incriminating at a time like this would only drag her down with him.
Joanna’s expression shifted as she pulled Zeke back. Turning away, her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she looked apologetically at Celestine. “I’m sorry, Celly. We had no idea you’d reserved this room. I just wanted a quiet birthday, nothing fancy, and never expected such a mix–up. I don’t want to celebrate anymore. We’ll leave right away. I hope we haven’t ruined your evening.”
Celestine watched the melodrama unfold with silent amusement, counting down in her mind.
Three.
Two.
One.
“Wait.”
Predictably, someone took the bait.
Chester reached out and caught Joanna’s arm, his cool gaze clouded with conflicting emotions. “Name your price. How much to give up this room?”
“Three million,” Celestine replied casually.
Chester’s eyes flashed. “Celestine, don’t make things difficult. It’s Joanna’s birthday. Can’t you let this one go?”
Celestine just shrugged, her face blank. “What does your romantic dinner have to do with me?”
“Chester, don’t waste your breath on them!” Zeke exploded. “It’s obvious these two women came here looking for a fight! I refuse to believe money can’t buy a private room in this place. I’d rather throw the cash to the dogs than hand it over to them!”
Fuming, Zeke spun toward the manager. “You! Go fetch your boss! Tell him I want to invest!”
The manager fell silent,
So, in the end, they were the ‘dogs‘ he’d mentioned.
But the situation was getting out of hand. If they didn’t resolve this soon, the
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Chapter 40
restaurant’s reputation would be at stake.
After a moment’s thought, he asked everyone to wait and went to find the owner.
Quentin Yates strode in from the kitchen, his mood thunderous and his glare sharp- enough to cut.
“Do I pay you people to work, or to attend a funeral? Every time there’s a problem, you call for the boss! Can’t handle anything yourselves? Hungry, you call me. Crying, you call me. Now you want me for an investment?!”
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Chapter 30
