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Chapter 349
Chapter 349
Aria arched an eyebrow, casting a scornful glance at Lennox, who stood frozen in place.
Hearing Derek’s words, Lennox froze mid–step, his eyes wide with shock. He turned to Fryderyk and explained, “Fryderyk, Aria doesn’t wastusta Ray for
dinner. We’ll need to switch to another room.”
“Hey!” Derek rapped the table with a sneer at Lennox. “What’s this about ‘Aria doesn’t want us to stay for dinner‘? She made it clear only you can’t stay Everyone else is welcome. Don’t twist her words.”
With the elders gone, Lennox dropped his usual well–behaved act, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he sneered, “Derek, everyone’s here to celebrate me. If I’m not staying, do you really think Grandma and the others would?”
The light fell on Lennox’s face, the sneer playing on his lips looking particularly jarring.
Fryderyk’s head snapped up in surprise.
Standing at a distance, Terry cast a cool, assessing glance at Lennox.
He stood in the shadows, his gaze obscured, thoughts unreadable.
Realizing Fryderyk and Terry were still present, Lennox’s smile froze for a moment before he quickly recomposed himself with practiced ease. With measured politeness, he said, “Fryderyk, if you’re planning to stay, I’ll go inform Grandma right away.”
Fryderyk was the eldest among the younger generation of the Fletcher family, yet remained single.
Lexie kept nagging, hell–bent on setting Fryderyk up on blind dates.
But every time a blind date was scheduled, Fryderyk would excuse himself by claiming he was busy with work.
Fryderyk was handsome, and with the Fletcher family’s prestige, he was near–perfect–if one ignored his aloofness.
Many families vied for the Fletchers‘ favor, and since Fryderyk finally made time for a visit, Lexie wasn’t about to let this golden opportunity slip through her fingers.
The woman arranged for the blind date this time was the elder sister, of Lennox’s classmate. She would also be attending Lennox’s celebration banquet, where Lexie planned to introduce her to him.
If Fryderyk didn’t show up, he’d be standing her up again.
Fryderyk said coolly, “Alright, tell her.”
Fryderyk impassively picked up the coffee cup and took a sip. Noticing/ennox still rooted to the spot, he asked coolly, “Still here? Planning to stay?”
Lennox seethed with suppressed anger, but facing Fryderyk, he didn’t dare talk back. Swallowing his pride, he ground out, “I’m leaving now.”
Turning around, he saw Terry still standing there. Managing a strained smile, he asked, “Terry, are you planning to stay as well?”
Terry wasn’t as thick–skinned as his Fryderyk. Since he wasn’t close with Aria, sticking would probably just kill the vibe.
Besides, he was curious to see what kind of explanation Lennox would give their parents.
Terry gave Aria a gentle smile, took out an exquisitely wrapped box from his pocket, bent down, and placed it before her. “We haven’t met often. I’ve brought you a small gift to congratulate you on joining Mandino University.”
Aria said, “Thank you, Terry. Let’s catch up again soon.”
As the saying goes, it’s hard to refuse a friendly gesture. Aria was a bit surprised by Terry’s gift, but she nodded and said, “I should mention I haven’t
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signed the contract yet–so I’m not officially employed.”
Terry smiled, “It’s only a matter of time, I’ll head over now then. Take care, Aria.”
“See you,” Aria replied.
“Seriously?” Derek muttered under his breath. He cursed inwardly, “Damn, Terry actually prepared a gift in secret behind my back
With Terry gone, Lennox felt too awkward to stay.
In the lobby, Alice was negotiating with the manager, insisting on a private room just as good as Golden Premier Suite.
The manager wore an apologetic expression as he politely explained, “Mrs. Fletcher, Golden Premier Suite is already the best.
Alice frowned. “Give me a rundown of all your premium suite.”
The manager maintained a professional smile. “I’m afraid our premium, deluxe, and executive suites all require advance reservations and are fully booked at the moment. Mrs. Fletcher, the only option available now is a standard suite.”
Alice’s face darkened. “We had reserved Golden Premier Suite, but now Aria has taken it over. Doesn’t Amour Bistro have any contingency plans for this?
“What if this happens again? How would you handle guests who reserved Golden Premier Suite in advance?”
The manager’s eyes lit up with sudden understanding. “So that’s how it is,” he said.
“Mrs. Fletcher, Amour Bistro has encountered similar situations before and has established a clear policy: guests are allowed to reserve Golden Premier Suite along with another private room at the same time. Should Golden Premier Suite be available as scheduled, we will provide a full refund for the alternate reservation.
“May I ask which private room number you’ve reserved, Mrs. Fletcher?”
Since Lennox had made the reservation, Alice had no idea which room it was. Scowling, she pulled out her phone to call him. Turning to the manager, she said curtly, “Hold on, let me check with him.”
Not far away, Lexie sat on the sofa with a sulky Avery munching on snacks beside her.
Arnav and Gloria sat to the side, quietly observing the scene without intervening.
Gloria gave her husband a reproachful look. “If Aria hadn’t stepped in just now, were you really going to hit Derek in front of everyone?”
Arnav looked sheepish, but his tone remained defiant. “Didn’t you hear what that brat said?” he retorted. “He made me sound completely worthless.”
Gloria shot back expressionlessly, “And who do you think gave birth to all three kids?”
Hearing this, Arnav’s expression immediately softened. He reached out and took his wife’s hand, saying placatingly, “Need you even ask? Of course you’re the one who brought them into this world. You’ve been through so much.”
Gloria turned her head and asked coldly, “Have you ever even spent a single day looking after the kids?”
Arnav couldn’t help but feel a wave of helplessness, “Just my luck,” he thought bitterly.
Every time his wife went into labor, he always found himself caught up in some urgent work he simply couldn’t refuse.
It was the same with all three kids.
Sometimes he’d be gone for just a couple of months; other times, it stretched to a whole year.
Even though Gloria had her mother and professional caregivers by her side during childbirth, as her husband, Arnav should have been constantly there for her–yet, frustratingly, he was absent every single time.
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Arnav looked down, guilt written all over his face. “No, I haven’t,” he admitted quietly.
Gloria pressed sharply, “Have I ever spent a single cent on this family?”
The Fletcher family was rolling in money. Arnav thought to himself, ‘My measly salary is hardly worth mentioning–might as well just pive it all to
Arnav’s head sank even lower. “…No,” he mumbled.
Gloria demanded, “Then tell me, which word our son said was wrong?”
Arnav nodded vigorously, then muttered under his breath, “He’s right, but did he have to say it in front of everyone? How am I supposed to keep my dignity?”
Gloria scoffed coldly, “I wasn’t embarrassed lying naked in the delivery room giving birth, but you’re ashamed just because our son told the truth?”:
Arnav said, “It’s not the same! When you were in labor-”
Arnav tried to explain, but his words only made Gloria angrier. She sprang to her feet, cutting him off with a furious shout. “Arnav!”
Gloria’s furious shout instantly silenced the lobby.
Terry and Lennox arrived in the lobby just in time to witness the explosive confrontation.
