Jack’s face contorted into an indignant scowl.
“Hey! Get me your manager–right now!” he snapped.
He punctuated his demand with a swift kick at the trembling young waiter sprawled on the floor. “I’m done dealing with amateurs!”
The startled rookie flinched, eyes wide with fear.
Before he could stammer out a response, his supervisor swiftly intervened, maintaining a practiced, polite smile as he helped the shaken waiter to his feet.
“My apologies, sir,” the supervisor began.
“Our manager is currently attending to three other important guests. May I ask what seems to be the problem? I’m sure we can work something out.”
Jack sneered, looking the supervisor up and down like he was lower than dirt. “Oh? And who exactly do you think you are, butting in here?”
“I’m his supervisor,” the man replied evenly, maintaining his composure.
“This young waiter is under my supervision. Allow me to offer you a ten percent discount on your entire bill to make up for the inconvenience.”
Before Jack could respond, Florence–his mother–let out an exaggerated scoff.
“Ten percent? A measly ten percent? Do we look like our pride can be bought for a few cheap dollars off the bill?!” She shot the supervisor a contemptuous glare.
“You really think so little of us?”
The supervisor exhaled, already sensing this was about more than just lunch.
These two were clearly out to feed their own oversized egos not just their stomachs.
“Ma’am, I truly apologize,” he tried again, his voice calm.
“It’s just that our establishment requires reservations. We’re fully booked this time. Perhaps you could come back next time, and I’ll personally arrange something more…generous.”
Inwardly, the supervisor was already considering quietly blacklisting this family–he never wanted to serve them again if he could help it.
“No reservation?” Jack practically spat the words out. “Don’t you realize who’s standing right here with us? This is Mr. Charles Kingston! How dare you turn him away!”
“We regret the circumstances,” the supervisor said as tactfully as possible. “But the tables are all accounted for. If there was an extra seat, we’d be happy to welcome Mr. Kingston to sample our cuisine.”
He clamped down on what he really wanted to say:
We will not be your punching bags, and we will not fall victim to your ridiculous demands.
Find someone else to feed your ego–we won’t be your victims.
Florence pointed toward the dining room’s half–empty section and snorted. “Look at that there are plenty of open tables! Are you blind?”
Chapter 169
+25 BONUS
“They’re reserved, ma’am,” the supervisor insisted, dropping his voice in a show of contrition. “I’m sorry, but they’ll be occupied shortly.”
Jack started whining to his mother again, “Mom, this is useless. Let’s just go somewhere else.”
She turned and glared at him. “We’re already here, and I refuse to waltz out like a couple of fools.”
“Allow me, Mrs. Lancaster,” Charles interjected smoothly. He reached into his suit jacket, pulled out a sleek gold card, and offered it to the supervisor
“I believe this VIP card allows me to book a table on short notice up to five times a year, does it not?”
The supervisor’s eyes widened. He’d handled all sorts of customers, but Gold VIP status was on a whole different level.
“Please, let me verify the card,” he said, taking it gingerly from Charles’s hand.
Jack watched with undisguised greed. “Man, that card makes life way too easy. How do I get one?”
Charles shrugged, smiling as if it was the simplest thing in the world. “It’s not particularly complicated. You just have to deposit a million dollars into the restaurant’s account and use it within three years or lose it all.”
Jack let out a choked laugh. “A million bucks, just to eat here?”
‘That’s insane! We’re well–off, but we’re not throwing away that kind of money on fancy dinners!‘
Moments later, the supervisor confirmed the card’s validity.
He managed to contain his own shock long enough to nod at the rookie waiter.
They both realized in that moment–money could bulldoze every obstacle, apparently including courtesy.
If someone was willing to drop a million dollars, the staff had no choice but to roll out the red carpet, bowing to every whim with unwavering obedience.
Even if the customer’s sole desire was to gorge their insatiable ego, the staff was expected to serve with a smile, their own dignity a mere afterthought.
Even if it meant becoming the sacrifice, they had to ensure the guest left satisfied–no matter the cost.
“Please, step right inside, honored guests,” the supervisor said, voice bright and subservient in an instant.
Charles stepped back and graciously motioned toward Florence and Jack. “After you.”
Jack tossed the supervisor a snide grin as he strutted past, chin held high. “Hmph! Hear that? Gold VIP! Next time, pay attention to who you’re dealing with,” he hissed, throwing in a condescending chuckle.
For added insult, he lightly tapped the waiter’s cheek in a series of humiliating little slaps.
“Yes, sir. Right away, sir,” the young waiter said, barely concealing the disgust trembling in his voice.
Florence tossed her hair back haughtily. “Learn your place next time! Open your eyes and recogn. someone of standing when you see them!” She strode in, chest puffed out as though she owned the place.
Both the supervisor and the rest of the staff could do nothing but bow politely and plaster on forced smiles.
Suddenly, as they made their way toward a private dining room, they nearly bumped into Alex, who was stepping out of one of the VIP suites.
Jack froze, his mood darkening in an instant.
Chapter 169
+25 BONUS
“Well, well… look who finally managed to get a job here. Busboy, is it?” Jack sneered, lounging back with smug satisfaction. “Good! Then you can serve us now.”
Alex didn’t flinch. He stood his ground, arms folded, his gaze locked onto Jack’s with unwavering steadiness.
“Are you working here too?”
“Me? Work? Don’t be ridiculous. I’m here as a guest, not staff. Unlike you.” Jack let out a contemptuous laugh.
“And I’m also here as a guest,” Alex replied calmly.
“Hah! You?” Jack scoffed, raising an eyebrow. “You must be delusional if you think some nobody like you gets to dine next to us. My friend’s a Gold VIP; that’s something you’d never qualify for in your entire miserable life.”
Florence, who was still riding the high of being treated like a queen, chimed in with a sneer, “This place is extremely exclusive. Basic membership alone costs a million dollars in deposit. Can you afford that, sweetheart?”
Alex simply offered a faint, disinterested shrug. “I don’t have a million lying around, true. But I can handle my business here just fine.”
“Oh, really?” Jack taunted with an oily grin. “Then get lost. People like you lower the tone of the place. You’re practically poisoning our atmosphere just by standing there.”
P
Florence laughed, tossing him a look of sheer disdain. “You should see yourself in a mirror–clearly out of your league.”
Jack turned to a passing waiter, snapping his fingers and pointing at Alex. “Oi! Come kick this guy out. He’s ruining our appetite.”
“I’m sorry,” the waiter answered, though clearly uneasy, “but he’s also a guest…”
Jack’s face twisted in fury. “Gold VIPs are talking to you! We say he doesn’t belong here, and that should be enough. Now move it!”
Florence chimed in, lifting her chin in a show of power. “We can complain about this you know, and I will. Are you going to defy a Gold VIP over this nobody?”
The waiter looked distinctly uncomfortable. “We…we have no policy to kick out other guests, ma’am.”
Florence turned pink with rage. “Then make one now or get me the manager, now!”
“That’s right,” Jack echoed. “Let’s see if your manager thinks some cheap freeloader deserves to stay over paying Gold VIPs!”
Just then, Sophia arrived, looking rattled at the sight of them all. “Mom, Jack, what on earth are you two doing? Alex? You’re here, too? What’s happening?”
Alex shrugged as if it were the most mundane thing in the world. “I’m just here for a meal. Didn’t realize I needed anyone’s permission.”
, right?” Sophia frowned at the tension crackling in the air. “This restaurant is…well, you know it’s a bit p “Qh?” Alex raised an eyebrow, voice calm but laced with an edge. “You think I can’t afford dinner here?”
