The young woman''s face went pale as Jeremy''s words sank in.


    "But… but you asked me to," she stammered, her voice trembling. She nced nervously at Ethan, as though hoping for some kind of backup.


    Jeremy leaned back in his chair, swirling the ss of wine in his hand with casual indifference. "Sure,"


    he said with a smirk face.


    "but do you think your manager would believe that? Let''s face it—it''s pretty unprofessional of you to sit down and eat with customers, isn''t it?"


    Upon hearing what Jeremy just said.


    The girl''s hands tightened into fists at her sides, her fear evident. She looked like she wanted to say something but thought better of it. Her gaze darted around the room as if searching for an escape or a way out of the mess.@@novelbin@@


    Jeremy pulled out his phone, his movements slow and deliberate. "Rx,"


    he said, holding it out toward her. "Save your number. We''ll settle this in another way."


    However The girl hesitated, her expression a mix of confusion. However Jeremy''s easy grin didn''t falter, his eyes fixed on her as though he found the whole situation amusing. Ethan sat silently, watching the scene with a faint frown, his thoughts unreadable.


    The girl hesitated, trembling as she reached for Jeremy''s phone, clearly torn betweenpliance and fear. Just as her hand hovered over it, Ethan''s voice broke through the tense silence.


    "The bill''s on me," Ethan said firmly, his gaze steady as he looked at Jeremy.


    Upon hearing what Ethan just said.


    Jeremy leaned back in his chair, his surprise evident for a moment before it gave way to a sh of irritation.


    "You?" he said, a sharp edge to his tone.


    "I didn''t think you''d start throwing around whatever cards Lady Madison gave you. If you''re going to take responsibility, at least do it with your own money."


    However Ethan''s expression didn''t waver.


    "Of course," he replied coolly.


    "I can handle it."


    immediately Jeremy''s eyes narrowed, his smirk returning as he leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table.


    "Alright then, let''s make this interesting."


    "We''ll have a bet. If you can''t pay the bill with your own card—no help from Lady Madison or use her card—you''ll call me ''Elder Brother'' and kowtow in front of me. In the presence of Lady Madison."


    The girl gasped softly, her eyes darting between the two men. Jeremy''s grin widened, clearly enjoying the challenge he''d thrown down.


    "And if I can pay?" Ethan asked, his tone calm, almost bored.


    Jeremy chuckled, gesturing casually toward the girl. "If you can, she''s off the hook, and I''ll let it go, and also I will call you big  Brother'' and kowtow in front of you. In the presence of Lady Madison."


    The tension at the table thickened, the stakes now clear. Discover more content at My Virtual Library Empire


    Ethan nodded once, his calm demeanor unchanged. "Fine," he said.


    "Let''s settle it."


    At that moment Ethan leaned back in his chair, his expression calm and unshaken.


    Jeremy couldn''t help but smiled, he has heard Ethan story from his father, he knows he was poor to the point he couldn''t even afford half of his schrship, it was so bad he had to work indy Madison birthday party as a waiter.


    How the fool Thinks he''s untouchable.


    Without being told Jeremy could tell Ethan was nothing withoutdy Madison money.


    The tension between them hung in the air for a moment, the challenge clear and agreed upon.


    Jeremy straightened, pping his hands once before snapping his fingers at the waiter, his tone suddenlymanding.


    "Bring us the most expensive wine you''ve got," he said, his smirk returning. "And double everything on the table. Oh, and leave her out of this," he added, gesturing dismissively toward the girl. "She doesn''t need to join us."


    Immediately the waiter nodded nervously, hurrying away to fulfill the order. Jeremy leaned back, satisfied with his esction, while Ethan remained asposed as ever, his expression giving nothing away.


    At that moment Jeremy leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing as he studied Ethan carefully. He knew the additional orders had been unexpected, a deliberate move to push Ethan into backing out. Surely he didn''t see thating, Jeremy thought, waiting for some sign of hesitation or difort.


    But Ethan remained calm, his expression unreadable.


    He didn''t flinch, didn''t even nce at the extravagant additions to the table. Instead, he continued his meal as if nothing had changed, methodically cutting his food and sipping his drink with the sameposure.


    Jeremy smirked, convinced that Ethan''s silence was masking frustration. He''s angry, Jeremy thought, confident in his assumption.


    ''There''s no way he''ll be able to cover this. He''ll fold soon enough.''


    To press his advantage, Jeremy waved over the waiter and casually ordered a few more bottles of the finest wine. Each order felt like a victory, the table gradually filling with bottles and dishes until there was hardly any space left.


    Finally, the moment of reckoning arrived.


    The waiter, now visibly nervous, approached with the bill in shaking hands. She nced at the table before hesitantly speaking.


    "The total… is ten million dors."


    Immediately a hush fell over the room as Jeremy''s smirk widened. His eyes flicked to Ethan, eager to see his reaction.


    ''Let''s see how you handle this,'' Jeremy thought, leaning forward slightly, ready to enjoy the inevitable.


    Jeremy leaned back in his chair,ughing heartily.


    "This is the first time." he said, wiping a tear of amusement from his eye. "I''ve never eaten a meal this expensive before. All thanks to my big brother Ethan!"


    Hisughter subsided as he leaned forward, smirking.


    "But there''s no need for you to embarrass yourself, Ethan. Don''t bother with the words—I know you can''t pay. I''ll cover it myself."


    At that moment Jeremy reached into his pocket, ready to pull out his card, when Ethan''s calm voice stopped him in his tracks.


    "No need," Ethan said, sliding his normal card across the table to thedy.


    His tone was steady, devoid of any tension or doubt.


    "I''ll pay the bill."


    Immediately the room fell silent as Jeremy froze, his hand still in his pocket. His eyes darted between Ethan and the card on the table, disbelief flickering in his expression.


    Thedy hesitated for a moment before picking up the card, her hands trembling slightly as she moved to process the payment.