38 Lisa and Luke exchanged glances, scrambling to regain their footing after Fiona's deft rebuttal. Luke cleared his throat, forcing a tight smile. "Now see here, we simply want the best for you both. It would be a shame if...appearances were deceiving." He glanced meaningfully at Darwin. Fiona
39 Their heated exchange was abruptly interrupted by a waiter, who approached with an apologetic yet firm demeanor. "I must ask you to keep the noise down. This is a respectable establishment, and we need to maintain a peaceful atmosphere." Luke's face, now a picture of barely restrained fury, tu
40 Darwin took a slow, deep breath to calm himself. Then, with steady hands, he reached into his wallet and extracted a sleek gold card, the emblem of Empire Bank shimmering under the restaurant's ambient lighting. He placed it on the table with a quiet confidence. "I would like to be considered a
41 “Hey!! You're making a mistake here!” Lisa called out in a harsh voice, her face scowling at the waiter, who turned slightly to acknowledge them once more. “Do you know who this man is?!” she demanded while pointing at Luke who had the temerity to look smug, Fiona could only roll her eyes at th
42 Darwin also cleared his throat and gazed at the manager, “Will it make any difference if I present the card?” The manager didn't give him a reply, only stretching out his hand to receive the card, struggling his shoulders, Darwin fished the card out of his pocket and placed it on the waiting p
43 Luke clenched his fists in anger, grinding his teeth at Darwin's audacity. Lisa scowled with flaming cheeks, rolling her eyes dismissively. Darwin remained composed, arching a brow at their reaction. "There seems to be an issue here that requires your assistance," Darwin replied calmly into th
44 As the manager fumbled with the phone, his face pale and voice shaky, Darwin watched with a mixture of disdain and satisfaction. The atmosphere in 'The Pinnacle' restaurant had shifted palpably. Luke and Lisa, previously reveling in Darwin's imminent expulsion, now looked around, their expressio
45 The waiter cleared his throat nervously after the chaotic scene that had just unfolded. "Right this way please, to the VIP room." Darwin nodded curtly, offering his arm to Fiona. She took it with a reassuring smile, still processing all that had transpired. Internally, Darwin was seething, thou