OLIVER'S RISE TO INFLUENCE

CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE. EGO IN TATTERS

As Oliver’s words hung in the air, the atmosphere in the room grew tense. The other guests, who had been watching the confrontation with varying degrees of interest, were now visibly stunned.

"Did you hear that?" one man whispered to his companion, his eyes wide with surprise. "He just told the manager to throw them out, like it’s nothing."

Another guest, trying to maintain a semblance of composure, muttered under his breath, "This guy must have some serious clout if he can talk to the manager like that. Who is he, anyway?"

"Forget who he is," a younger man added, his voice tinged with admiration. "Did you see the manager’s reaction? He didn’t even hesitate—just went along with it like he had no choice."

A woman at a nearby table shook her head slowly, clearly impressed. "I don’t know who this guy is, but he just made Mr. Smith look like a fool. This is something you don’t see every day."

Mr. Smith, still caught up in his own ranting, didn’t immediately register what had just happened