Sherry rolled her eyes dramatically while Bobby let out a low chuckle, clearly amused by Kade’s calm response. To them, his confidence felt misplaced, almost laughable, especially for someone who had just admitted to being jobless.“Look at him,” Sherry said with a smirk, leaning back in her chair as she folded her arms. “Still acting proud despite not having a job.”Bobby nodded in agreement, his lips curling into a teasing smile as he studied Kade.“Confidence is good,” he said casually, “but there’s a difference between confidence and denial.”Elara’s expression tightened as the mockery continued, and she quickly stepped in before things escalated further.“That’s enough,” she said firmly, her voice carrying a hint of frustration. “You’re both going too far.”Sherry waved her hand dismissively, her tone turning playful again as if the insults had only been harmless jokes.“Alright, alright,” she said with a light laugh. “We’ll stop messing with your cute boyfriend.”The word cute c

Lydia’s face flushed instantly, her calm professional demeanor shattering as fury erupted inside her.She slammed her hand lightly against the table, her voice rising sharply.“How dare you criticize my tea!” she barked, her eyes blazing with anger as she stared directly at Kade. “Do you have any idea how many years I’ve spent mastering this craft?”Her chest rose and fell with agitation, pride clearly wounded.“In all of South City,” she continued heatedly, “the only person acknowledged to be better than me in tea preparation is Master Mandrake Kent himself.”Her words carried authority, and the room seemed to tighten around them.Sherry quickly leaned forward, eager to support the attack.“Exactly,” she said loudly, glaring at Kade. “You’ve been talking nonsense since the moment you walked in here.”Bobby nodded with a scoff, crossing his arms as he looked at Kade with open disdain.“You don’t even have a job,” he added mockingly. “Yet you’re sitting here acting like some expert cri

Lydia’s legs suddenly felt weak.The proud tea master who had stood so confidently only moments earlier now staggered backward, her balance faltering as the reality of the situation crashed down on her. Her breathing became shallow, and her fingers trembled uncontrollably at her sides.She couldn’t believe what she was seeing.The legendary Mandrake Kent had truly appeared.And he had come because of Kade.Meanwhile, Mandrake walked forward calmly, his steps steady and composed, his presence commanding immediate respect from everyone in the room. His sharp eyes swept across the space briefly, but he didn’t even acknowledge Lydia.Instead, he walked directly toward Kade.The movement alone stunned everyone.When he reached the table, the elderly master stopped and offered a polite, respectful smile.“Hello, Sir Kade,” Mandrake said warmly. “I came as soon as I received the call.”The words echoed through the silent room.Sir Kade.Not Mr.Not young man.Sir.Kade simply gave a small no

Mandrake gave a respectful nod.Without another word, he stepped forward and began preparing the tea.The room, which had moments earlier been filled with tension and humiliation, now settled into a quiet, almost reverent silence. Even the restaurant staff standing near the doorway instinctively straightened their posture, watching carefully as the legendary tea master performed his craft.Mandrake placed the polished kettle gently on the table.He first opened a small lacquered container and revealed the tea leaves inside. They were a rich, vibrant jade-green color, perfectly shaped and uniform, carrying a faint natural fragrance that immediately began to spread through the air.The aroma was subtle at first.Then, as he warmed the teapot with steaming water, the scent deepened, unfolding into layers of sweetness and earthiness that filled the entire private room. It was not overpowering, but refined—like a quiet melody that demanded attention without raising its voice.Elara found h

A few minutes later, the soft hum of an engine approached the quiet street outside the Imperial Lotus Restaurant as a sleek black sedan rolled smoothly to a stop near the curb, its polished surface reflecting the warm glow of the streetlights. The driver’s door opened, and Victor stepped out, adjusting his jacket while scanning the area with sharp, practiced eyes as the cool night breeze rustled faintly against the trees lining the road.He quickly spotted Kade standing calmly near the entrance, his posture relaxed, hands resting casually in his pockets as if he had been waiting without a care in the world, and without wasting time, Victor walked straight toward him.“What’s up, Boss?” he greeted respectfully, giving a slight nod.Kade leaned lightly against the side of the sedan, his expression calm but thoughtful. “I need your help with something,” he said, his voice steady and direct.Victor didn’t hesitate for even a second. “Just say the word,” he replied firmly. “What do you nee