It was already close to noon when they <b>left</b>.


    Going home to cook didn’t feel right. None of them were really in the mood.


    In fact, they didn’t have much appetite for lunch at all.


    But they still had to eat.


    Celeste then suggested, “Let’s cat out.


    Betty nodded. “Okay, whatever you decide, Cel.”


    After parking, Celeste and Ivan had barely stepped out of the car when they spotted the Lockets and Shaws.


    It seemed they hade to the same restaurant.


    As they arrived, someone recognized Wynn and Harvey, wannly greeting them and inviting them to join their table.


    The Lockets and Shaws also noticed the Rodriguezs.


    Patricia let out a scoff, looking at them disdainfully.


    Lilian barely gave them a <b>nce </b>before looking away.


    Wynn didn’t even bother–she acted as if they weren’t there at all.


    Just then, the restaurant manager hurried out, addressing Wynn with a polite smile. “Ms. Locket, Mr. Fleming’s preferred private lounge has been prepared for you. Please, this way.”


    Wynn gave a small nod, not even ncing at Celeste and her family. Instead, she turned to Cassian, the man who had just invited them to dine together. “Apologies, Mr. Vale but this is a private family gathering. Let’s arrange something another time.”


    Cassian, sensing the <b>clear </b>rejection<b>, </b>quickly nodded. “Of course, of course. I wouldn’t dream of intruding on your family dinner.”


    Without another word, Wynn followed the restaurant manager inside.


    Celeste hadn’t expected to run into them here.


    She looped her arm through Betty’s, hesitating a little. Reassuringly, Betty patted her hand. “It’s fine. Just go on


    “Alright,” Celeste said.


    As <b>soon </b>as they stepped inside, a well–dressed host approached with an apologetic smile. “I’m so sorry, but we’re fully booked for the afternoon. Unfortunately, we don’t have any avable tables at the moment.”


    Celeste had been here plenty of <b>times </b>before.


    A full <b>house</b>? Practically unheard of.


    <b>This </b><b>was </b>definitely the Lockets and Shaws‘ doing.


    She clenched her jaw.


    Celeste wasn’t the only one who realized it. Ivan and Betty had caught on as well.


    426 BONUS


    “Ms. Rodriguez?”


    Upon hearing her name, she turned around, only to see Caleb.


    “Hello, Mr. Jennings,” <b>she </b>greeted him.


    Caleb’s gaze flicked to the host, who was starting to look uneasy. He then turned to Celeste. “What happened? Why aren’t you going in?”


    Celeste’s tone was calm. “Well, the staff told us that all the tables are booked.”


    Caleb nced at the host. “Oh, is that so?”


    The host definitely knew who Caleb was.


    Moreover, his family–particrly Harold–was inside the restaurant at this very moment.


    Seeing that Caleb might intervene on Celeste’s behalf, the bost panicked and stepped forward. “We just received word that a table has opened up. A private lounge is <b>now </b>avable. Please,e in.”


    Celeste didn’t move. She was staring at Betty <b>instead</b>.


    “Le


    head somewhere else to eat,” Betty said.


    “Okay.”


    Celeste turned to Caleb. “Thank you, Mr. Jennings.”


    “It’s no big deal,” Caleb replied casually. He paused for a second and nodded in greeting to Betty and the others.


    The Rodriguezs left.


    Caleb stepped into the restaurant, his gaze sweeping over the host.


    The host <b>was </b>sweating, forcing a nervous smile, but he didn’t dare say a word.


    The fact that he wasn’t offering an exnation told Caleb everything <b>he </b>needed to know–the person behind this had real influence.