Chapter 28 Gerald Troy
"That’s absolutely right! Who do you think you are to treat us in such a manner?! Isn’t it bad enough that your members pay exorbitant amounts to dine in this establishment and then be subjected to this kind of treatment?" Claire’s friends chimed in, echoing her sentiments.
All of them felt intimidated, aware that despite hailing from wealthy families like Claire, they lacked the qualifications to fully integrate into Claire’s elite social circle. They enjoyed being in Claire’s company, trailing behind her in the hopes of enjoying the privileges she could offer—access to exclusive venues and experiences they couldn’t typically afford on their own.
In exchange, they willingly played the role of Claire’s loyal followers, readily carrying out tasks she assigned them, no matter how unsavory. This arrangement suited them both, and they had been living contentedly within this dynamic for years. They understood that they weren’t the only ones engaged in such exchanges; this was simply how individuals of their social standing typically forged connections to advance their own interests and those of their families.
However, despite their willingness to reap the benefits, they were not prepared to weather the consequences of a fall from grace. This fear now gripped them, for they understood that they couldn’t afford to offend any of the guests or the General Manager. Nonetheless, they felt compelled to maintain the facade of defending Claire’s reputation and pride as her loyal friends, even in the face of their own trepidation.
Fueled by the support of her friends, Claire’s determination to prevail in the argument and receive an apology surged within her. She sought to extricate herself from the situation, downplaying its significance in her mind. From her perspective, it was the establishment’s mistake, and she was unwilling to bear the brunt of it. She considered using her father’s name to pressure the General Manager into accepting responsibility for the error.
Exasperated by the ongoing argument with the General Manager, she sighed heavily, feigning fatigue. "Look, I can’t take this anymore! I will make sure to make a formal complaint against you in your management! Not only did you fail to serve a loyal customer who spends a minimum of $100 million annually, you even disrespected me by trying to throw me out. Prepare to face the consequences."
This is her last-ditch effort to intimidate the manager, hoping he’ll consider the consequences and at least save face for her. If she succeeds, she plans to play the magnanimous benefactor, ensuring he’ll be at her beck and call thereafter.
She grinned from ear to ear, imagining her future triumphant return to the restaurant, where she would flaunt her influence over the famous General Manager of the Golden Dragon Pavilion to her friends.
She waited for the General Manager to kneel in front of her and beg for forgiveness, but as time passed, it became apparent that no such thing was going to happen. Instead, laughter echoed in the lobby—not from the Manager, but from the onlookers.