The Florist's Dominance

Chapter 9

Adrian arranged the plates and spoons on the dish rack. "Yup."

Jaylin's gaze was probing as he noticed two plates, two spoons, and a few glasses newly arranged on the rack. "Did she eat here?"

Jaylin's brow furrowed deeply.

Adrian then recounted his meeting with Ansel and Evelina Harvey's visit to his shop. Jaylin listened to Adrian's story with his arms crossed, his expression shifting from curiosity to seriousness.

When Adrian got to the part where Evelina scornfully rejected the Kandila medicine, Jaylin shook his head slowly. "That's insane. You gave a prediction that detailed, and she just blew it off. She's gonna regret it so much if Ansel ends up beyond help because of her aunt's pride."

Adrian came out of the kitchen and sat on the wooden bench facing the plant shelves. "Well, I can only tell them. I can't force help on someone who doesn't want it."

That night at 7:30 PM, Adrian's phone buzzed with a new message in the chat app from Everett Bradly.

"Don't forget to come to the Golden Queen restaurant. I've reserved the VIP table with the best view. Just tell the receptionist I invited you to the VIP table."

Adrian replied, "Okay, I didn't forget. Thanks."

Adrian grabbed his imitation black leather jacket and put it over the plain white t-shirt he was wearing. His fingers moved quickly again to order a rideshare online.

Jaylin, who was editing a video on his laptop at the cashier's desk, asked, "Where are you going, Bro?"

"Golden Queen."

Jaylin fell silent for a moment, then his smile widened. "What? The Golden Queen restaurant? Are you celebrating your graduation and your engagement to Elysia?"

The long-haired man laughed and clapped his hands. "That's insane! Looks like you'll have to break open the piggy bank for your fancy dinner!"

Unfortunately, enthusiasm wasn't what appeared on Adrian's face. The man in the black leather jacket was instead silent with an expressionless look. 

The smile on Jaylin's face gradually faded. He asked cautiously, "My guess is right, isn't it, Bro?"

Adrian shrugged. "We broke up."

Jaylin's fists clenched in the air. "Ohh! Sorry bro—"

Adrian raised one hand. "It's fine."

Jaylin's eyes widened. "It's fine my ass! After everything you did for her, and she just dumped you like that?" The man looked furious.

Adrian's face looked up at the ceiling. "She didn't even ask for anything, you know her, right?" He then gave a bitter smile. "Her pride is way too high. I was the one who wanted it all."

Jaylin's clenched fist punched the air. "Holy Shit!" Inside, he wanted to rage. But seeing Adrian's expressionless face made Jaylin hold back his anger.

Adrian checked his phone and saw the rideshare driver he ordered was on the way.

Jaylin asked curiously, "So, who are you going to the Golden Queen with? A new girl?"

"A friend."

"A friend?"

Jaylin was still looking at Adrian in shock.

"That's crazy! But you do know their tasting menu starts at $1000 per person, right? And that's before drinks, tax, and tip."

Adrian answered casually, "Yeah, it's fine. He's treating me."

Jaylin shook his head. "Damn, bro. You got friends dropping serious cash on dinner, and you're giving me grief over groceries?"

Finally, Adrian let out a small laugh. "Fair point. Alright, keep the groceries coming then."

Not long after, through the glass door, Adrian saw a motorcycle stop. "The ride is here. I'm heading out."

Jaylin nodded. "Alright, Bro."

Before leaving, Adrian added, "Don't forget to lock the door before you sleep."

"Got it, Boss!"

Fifteen minutes later, Adrian arrived at the grounds of the Golden Queen restaurant, which looked magnificent with spectacular lighting and stunning glass walls.

Calmly, Adrian walked up the grand staircase towards the lobby. As soon as he entered the building, the atmosphere seemed to shift 180 degrees. The soft sound of live piano and the trickle of an indoor fountain immediately greeted him, creating an impression of a completely different world.

Adrian approached the reception desk where a young woman in a simple green dress with a neat bun smiled professionally. "Good evening, how may I help you?" The woman's eyes subtly scanned Adrian's appearance. In her eyes, Adrian didn't look like the typical elite patron of the Golden Queen.

Adrian answered casually, "I'm Adrian Reid, invited by Mr. Everett Bradly to the VIP table."

The receptionist grew more doubtful of Adrian's answer because there had been many fraud attempts lately. But to maintain professionalism, she nodded. "Just a moment, sir. Let me check." 

Her fingers danced quickly across the keyboard. A few seconds later, she found Adrian Reid's name on the VIP table Everett had reserved.

However, to avoid a case of mistaken identity, the woman said, "I'm sorry, sir, we have a VIP reservation from Mr. Everett tonight. But there's no note with the guest's name." She lied.

Her eyes narrowed slightly. Her gaze looked suspicious even if she didn't voice her suspicion.

"Could you please confirm directly with Mr. Bradly right now?"

This action was outside the Golden Queen's SOP. But the woman decided to ask Adrian to make a call. She wanted to see if the man in front of her was truly the person her boss meant, or just a scammer.

Adrian nodded. "Yes, of course." He then reached for his phone.

However, before Adrian could make the call, a woman's soft voice startled him. "Ad, what are you doing here?"

The woman with light purple hair froze. In her mind, this restaurant wasn't a suitable place for someone like Adrian. And her instinct told her that her ex-boyfriend was about to do something stupid to get her attention tonight.