Gerald stepped out of his car and checked his watch. 8:00 PM. He was exactly one hour late.In his past life, that hour would have destroyed him. He would have been sweating, shaking, his heart pounding so hard he could barely think straight. He would have rushed in with cheap flowers, already planning how to apologize for the next week just to make Tina stop looking at him like he was trash.This time, he straightened his jacket and walked toward the entrance like he owned the place. His heart was steady. He wasn't thinking about Tina's anger or the Hills family's disappointment. He was thinking about the next twenty-one days and everything he needed to do before the world ended.The restaurant was exactly what he expected. Gold everywhere, soft music, the smell of expensive food that cost more than most people made in a month. The kind of place designed to make factory workers feel small.He spotted the Hills family right away. They were sitting at the biggest table in the center, l

But the picture on the trading site wasn't clear enough to be sure. It was just a side shot, a little blurry, taken from far away. She had stared at it all morning while reading about the Newtop miracle, but looking at Gerald now in his worn factory jacket, she couldn't say for certain it was the same man.The doubt was eating at her.Gerald watched her face and saw the hesitation. He tilted his head slightly."Are you really ready to lose a premium customer," he said quietly, "all because of comments that haven't been verified as truth?""They are verified!" Tina snapped before Lora could answer. She stepped closer to the counter, her voice getting louder. "Everyone in this restaurant knows exactly how useless he is!"She turned to the crowd with her arms spread wide."Tell her! Tell her what you've seen!"The crowd didn't need to be asked twice."I've seen him before," a man in a gray suit said, shaking his head. "He came to my office building last month begging for work. Couldn't e

The sound of the decline beep was like a starting gun for the crowd.Laughter ripped through the hall, dripping with disdain and mockery. It wasn't just a few quiet snickers. People were bending over in their seats, pointing at Gerald like he was a street clown."I actually almost believed him!" a woman shrieked, wiping tears from her eyes. "The way he was standing there so serious, ordering like he really had money in his account. He should be on TV doing comedy, not in a factory!""Did you see the manager's face?" a man in a suit called out, his voice full of satisfaction. "She actually gave him a chance. She almost treated a beggar like a real customer. That's the real joke tonight!"But the loudest laughter came from the Hills' table.Henry pointed straight at Lora, his voice cutting through the noise. "Look at her! She actually thought he had money! She went against us for a broke factory worker!"Tina crossed her arms, a huge smile spreading across her face. "I warned you, didn'

Lora stayed on her knees, her hands shaking as she reached toward the woman beside Gerald. She had built her entire career on knowing exactly who mattered in this city, but now she was nothing more than a beggar in an expensive suit. One word from this woman and she would never manage so much as a coffee shop again."Please!" Lora sobbed, her voice cracking. "I was just doing my job! I was misled by her lies! We have been a respected establishment for years. Don't let one mistake destroy everything. I will give Mr. Gerald anything he wants. The entire order, free of charge. I'll fire whoever you want. Just please, don't ruin us."The woman looked down at her like she was looking at something stuck to her shoe.Without a word, she raised her hand and slapped Lora across the face.The sound cracked through the restaurant even louder than before. Lora's head snapped back and she fell sideways, hitting the marble floor hard. She lay there clutching her burning cheek, gasping for breath."