Chapter 441
Mirabella arched an eyebrow ever so slightly as she moved forward, only to be startled by the sound of a thud behind her, followed by a rather pitiful yelp. She paused for a moment, languidly turning her head, but all she could see was the smiling face of the restaurant manager standing behind her, his towering frame blocking everything else from view.
“Can I do anything for you?” the manager asked, his voice a blend of deference and warmth.
Mirabella touched the tip of her nose, gave him a two–second glance, and replied, “No, nothing.”
The manager’s smile did not waver. A chorus of grumbling came from behind him, which he seemed to ignore completely.
Mirabella tilted her head with a smirk that wasn’t quite a smile, then shifted her gaze away and walked towards her booth.
Back at the table, Zach had nearly finished his meal and looked up at his sister. “Took you a while in the restroom, huh?”
Mirabella picked up her fork again and started eating as she spoke, “Ran into someone I know.”
“Someone you know? A classmate?” Zach casually wiped his mouth with a napkin.
She shook her head, offering no further explanation. After all, bringing up the Gilbert family hardly seemed worthwhile.
Once Mirabella had walked away, the restaurant manager’s smile vanished as quickly as it had appeared, and he headed back to the front desk to attend to the
cashier.
Mandy emerged from the restroom at a snail’s pace, her walk noticeably awkward. She hadn’t expected such bad luck today. She had finally snagged a reservation at this upscale eatery, only to slip and fall in the restroom. Though not many saw, it was still a blow to her dignity. And the spot where she fell still throbbed with pain.
Mandy took a deep, silent breath, maintaining a poised and polite smile as she
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approached her circle of well–heeled friends.
Two restaurant staff stood near their seats, engaged in some discussion just as Mandy approached.
“Mrs. Gilbert, didn’t you say you were a member here?” one of her high–society friends asked with a frown.
Mandy was clueless about what had transpired. She nodded, “Yes, I am.”
“Then why does the manager tell us our reservation wasn’t successful and we need to leave?”
At this, Mandy’s brow furrowed. She turned to the restaurant manager standing beside her and protested, “That’s impossible. I have a text confirming our reservation, and when we entered, your staff checked and seated us here.” She quickly pulled out her phone and showed the confirmation text.
The manager glanced at it and dismissively declared, “I’m sorry, but that message is outdated, and your membership doesn’t meet our restaurant’s standards anymore. It’s been canceled.”
Mandy’s head buzzed with disbelief. “How does my membership not meet the standards? Why was it canceled?”
With that attitude toward Mirabella, did she believe she was worthy of the establishment’s membership? Dream on.
The manager’s lips pressed together, his impatience evident as he said, “I’m afraid you’ll need to find another restaurant.”
Mandy trembled with fury at his attitude. She glanced at her three friends, whose family backgrounds and husbands‘ status were at least on par with, if not superior to, the Gilbert family. They had finally managed to get together for a meal to bond, and now this scene had unfolded. Where did that leave their pride, and what would they think of her?
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