Trillionaire Heir- Jeremy Nathaniel

Chapter 12 - Up To The Task

Mrs. Williams scoffed, a harsh and mocking laughter filling the air. "There we go again, the proud but broke man," she jeered, her words dripping with contempt.

"You think you de heavens restaurant are like those cheap restaurants you take Avery to every year on your anniversary? Where you are expected to spend peanuts here like you do on her," she taunted, clearly enjoying the discomfort she was causing.

"Oh, Jeremy, if you weren't so full of pride, maybe you would understand how expensive a five-star restaurant can be. Instead, you waste your money, trying to make a show of wealth. Why don't you spend that money on your wife and daughter instead, so you don't end up back on the streets, begging for scraps like a dog?" Mr. Williams said, his face twisted in derision, cut in with a venomous remark.

Jeremy, his expression unyielding, kept his gaze fixed on Avery. The hate and discouraging comments and insults hurled his way by the Williams held no influence over his behavior, for his attention was singularly focused on Avery's approval.

He stood firm and patient in the face of their verbal assaults, awaiting the signal from her that would dictate his next course of action.

Jeremy was not yet prepared to reveal his true identity, but he was growing weary of the Williams' continued attempts to belittle him.

As their verbal insults continued to rain down upon him, his desire to show his wealth and prove his ability to provide Avery with the best of everything increased. He imagined how satisfying it would be to silence the Williams' mockery once and for all.

Avery, witnessing the relentless insults from her grandparents, felt her heart tug in empathy towards her husband.

Turning towards him, her face illuminated with a radiant smile, she spoke in a soft, reassuring tone.

"Babe, please don't worry about it. I don't care where the food comes from, as long as it's affordable and I can share it with you. Don't let my grandparents pressure you into anything."

Her word was met with mockery laughter from her grandparents which made Jeremy so angry. He turned to Avery, his voice dripping with the fire of indignation.

"Avery, my love," he began, a glint of defiance dancing in his eyes, "I think your grandparents are right. You deserve a special treat after all you've been through today. Let's go to De Heavens, the five-star restaurant."

Mrs. Williams, eager to maintain her grasp on the situation, rose to her feet and began to follow Avery and Jeremy.

"Avery, dear, where do you think you're going?" she questioned, her voice sharp with authority.

But Avery, her back straight and her expression unwavering, countered swiftly.

"Grandma, you already had your date with Noah. This dinner is for me and my husband, alone," she stated firmly, her voice a steely echo of her inner resolve. "We'll be just fine without you."

Mrs. Williams exploded in resentment. "I know exactly what you're trying to do," she snapped, her words dripping with accusation. "You want to go to a nearby, cheap restaurant and then come back and lie to us about where you've been, just to cover for your husband's cheapness."

Avery, her patience wearing thin, rolled her eyes in disbelief.

"Really, Grandma? You think I'd lie to you like that?" she retorted, her voice a mix of incredulity and irritation. "I'll send you pictures as proof that we were at the restaurant.

Mrs. Williams, unwilling to back out. "You think I'm going to believe those pictures? You could have taken them at any time," she sneered, her skepticism evident in her tone. "I'm not going to fall for your little game."

Avery's expression hardened. "Enough, Grandma," she said, her voice firm and resolute. "You need to trust me and let us have this dinner alone. You're not coming with us, and that's final."

"I don't want your pictures," she scoffed. "I want to be there, eating the food myself. After all, your husband claims to have the means, doesn't he?"

Before Avery could utter another word, Jeremy stepped forward, his tone a mixture of ease and confidence. "It's okay, love," he said, casting Avery a reassuring glance. "Let them come along. I'm sure there will be plenty of food for everyone."

The Williams came to the restaurant in their fancy car, following behind Jeremy and Avery, who came in a taxi. They all arrived at De Heavens, a huge, fancy place with pretty gardens.

Mrs. Williams looked at Avery with a smug smile, thinking that she was right about Jeremy not being able to pay for a five-star restaurant.

When Avery saw how big and fancy the restaurant was, she felt a bit worried.

She took her husband's hand and whispered, "You don't have to do this if you can't afford it. My grandparents just want to embarrass you."

But Jeremy just smiled and said, "Don't worry. I'm ready for this."

Avery still felt uneasy as she followed Jeremy and her grandparents into the restaurant, which was so fancy that even the air seemed to sparkle with wealth. The hostess led them to a table with a view of the city skyline, and Avery noticed that the prices on the menu were so high that they didn't even list them. But Jeremy kept smiling and ordered their food like he wasn't worried about the cost.

Mrs. Williams, on the other hand, was starting to look less smug as she realized that maybe Jeremy really could afford this place.

Mrs. Williams suddenly acted like she didn't like the food or the part of the restaurant they had gone anymore.

"This place is not good enough compared to where Noah took us. This food is something even a poor farmer could afford." And she said this even though the food was very expensive.

Mrs. Williams said, "Noah is not even our son-in-law, but he booked a diamond cuisine and a private inn for us. Why can't Jeremy, who is our son-in-law, do better than that?"

In an effort to disguise the full extent of his wealth, Jeremy had initially opted for the less costly menu items, hoping to alleviate his wife's suspicion and questions.

Yet, Mrs. Williams' unwavering insults only served to fuel Jeremy's desire to silence her mockery once and for all.

With a determined press of the button appointed for the restaurant's most rich culinary offerings, he signaled the arrival of the chef responsible for the exclusive Heavenly Section, ready to unleash the full force of his financial might.

Everyone was very surprised when Jeremy chose the most expensive food. Noah had chosen the 5th most expensive, which was still very expensive. But Jeremy chose the most expensive food. Nobody could believe it.

"Let's see what happens. I think Jeremy will be embarrassed." Mr. Williams said as the chef who makes the most expensive food came to their table. Everyone was curious about what would happen next.

With an authoritative tone, Jeremy addressed the chef, "We would like to be seated at the Heavenly Cuisine section now."

The chef nodded in agreement, but added,

"Before we can accommodate your request, sir, there are certain terms to be met. Firstly, the full fee for our services must be paid in advance. And secondly, you must fulfill the prerequisites for entrance to the Heavenly Cuisine section."

Eager to learn the necessary steps to gain admittance to the revered Heavenly Cuisine section, Jeremy inquired, "What must I do to meet the requirements for entrance?"

The chef, his tone courteous and professional, responded, "Sir, for new customers to access the Heavenly Cuisine section, a membership card must be purchased. This card comes with a one-time cost of five thousand dollars."

With a triumphant sparkle in her eye, Mrs. Williams pounced on Jeremy. "I believe we have reached an obstacle, Jeremy," she jeered. "How can someone who has already spent such an exorbitant sum on the food now afford a five-thousand-dollar membership card, not to mention the cost of the actual meal? It's clear to me that you are in over your head, dear. You cannot compete with Noah, no matter how hard you try."

As Mrs. Williams basked in her perceived triumph, Avery intervened, her voice resolute and calm. "That's enough, Jeremy," she said, her gaze leveled at her husband. "You've already gone above and beyond. Let's leave now."

Jeremy, his expression unreadable, reached into his pocket and handed the chef a credit card. "Charge both the membership fee and the cost of the meal to this card," he stated, his tone uncompromising.

Avery's heart sank as she watched Jeremy pay the exorbitant fees with an almost nonchalant air.

She thought that the money could have provided a wealth of nourishing food for weeks, if not months, and seeing it spent so freely on a single meal was almost too much to bear. Yet, she understood that Jeremy was driven to this by her grandparents' relentless needling and sought to prove his worth in their eyes.

The transaction was completed, the card returned to Jeremy, and they were led to the legendary Heavenly Cuisine section.

Jeremy quickly paid for the heavenly box before Mrs. Williams could say anything about the price. Jeremy didn't want to upset Avery any more as he could tell she was worked up already. The payment was successful.

Avery, her concerns writ large on her face, leaned in close to Jeremy and spoke in a hushed whisper, "What's the total cost of all of this? I don't mind paying for part of it. I'm sorry you've been put through all of this stress."

Jeremy responded with a reassuring grin, his composure as steady as ever. "Please don't worry, my love," he replied, his tone soothing and confident. "I have everything under control."

A warm and inviting ambiance welcomed them as they entered the heavenly box.

A stunning, round table occupied the center of the space, adorned with the delicate fragrances of an assortment of freshly cut flowers.

The walls were adorned with intricate art designs, lending an ethereal quality to the already celestial surroundings.

They took their seats, their shoulders easing ever so slightly as the tension of the evening's earlier events began to dissipate. Before long, a waiter appeared, ready to cater to their every culinary whim.

"This is quite a lovely setting, but I'm still not convinced of your financial fortitude," Mrs. Williams taunted, her voice dripping with skepticism. "How can I be sure that you didn't borrow this money and that my daughter won't be left to pick up the pieces of your financial misadventures?"

Avery, her patience frayed to the breaking point, could no longer contain her anger. "Mother," she interjected, her voice a low but firm rumble, "enough is enough. You've gone too far this time."

"How much more do you want from him?" Avery demanded, her voice rising in indignation. "My husband has gone above and beyond to accommodate your relentless criticism. In fact, I'm not even happy with how much money he's spent. If you're still not satisfied, why don't you call your beloved Noah to come and rescue you from your discontentment."

"All I'm asking is for your husband to prove that he is good enough," Mrs. Williams retorted, her words sharp and biting.

"Whatever he has spent here is nothing compared to what Noah did for us. For all I know, he could have begged the manager to let us in. After all this is over, he'll go back and beg for more money, won't he?" She paused for a moment, her eyes hard as flint. "Noah was more than capable of providing for us. You should think carefully about your decision, Avery."

At that moment, the chef, who had been patiently waiting for the group's orders, intervened. "Forgive me, ma'am," he said with utmost politeness. "But our establishment does not operate in such a manner. You are here because Mr. Jeremy has fulfilled all the requirements for entrance into our Heavenly Cuisine section." With that, the chef shifted his attention back to Jeremy, awaiting his selection of culinary delights.

"Double whatever they order!" Jeremy stated, his tone leaving no room for argument.

In an instant, all eyes in the heavenly box were fixed on him, the shock and awe of his proclamation palpable in the air. But Jeremy was not finished yet. With a renewed sense of authority, he continued, "I've changed my mind. Make it triple their orders."

A hush fell over the room, as even Mrs. Williams, for a rare moment, found herself rendered speechless.