"Sorry I''mte-traffic was a nightmare on the way here," Mr. Patterson said with an easy smile as he entered the room.


    Irving Butler, ever the charmer, quickly replied, "Oh, not at all, Mr. Patterson. You''re right on time; we just got here a bit early ourselves."


    The response seemed to genuinely please Mr. Patterson, who let out a shortugh.


    Irving then took a moment to introduce Effie and Nelly to Mr. and Mrs. Patterson.


    As soon as Mr. Patterson saw Effie, he said, "My wife couldn''t stop admiring the ne Mrs. Hoffman was wearing earlier. She fell in love with that style, heard it was designed by Bagnold, and now she''s hoping to get something beautiful for herself as well."


    Effie smiled warmly. "Thank you, Mrs. Patterson, for appreciating my work. I''d be delighted to design a piece just for you-something that matches your style and wishes."


    "Really? That would be wonderful!" Mrs. Patterson replied, clearly excited.


    Nelly gave a discreet little cough and nced at Irving for help.


    Catching her hint, Irving added enthusiastically, "Actually, ourpany has quite a few talented designers, and Nelly is one of the best. She''s brought along some of her own pieces today, too."


    He turned to the couple with a friendly grin. "You should take a look at both of our collections. Who could ever have too much beautiful jewelry, right?"


    His words made perfect sense; after all, a little healthypetition never hurt anyone.


    Mrs. Patterson reached out to take Nelly''s tablet, but just as her hand hovered above it, an unmistakable sound cut through the air—a loud, sputtering noise, like someone had just let one rip.


    Instantly, a foul smell began to spread through the private dining room. It was pungent, overwhelming, and impossible to ignore.


    Nelly froze, mortified, caught between sitting down and bolting from her chair. Her stomach had been unsettled all afternoon, churning with difort, but she''d forced herself to hold it together. Unfortunately, when she stood up to hand Mrs. Patterson the tablet, her body betrayed her, and the long-restrained gas escaped with a noisy flourish.


    The sound was followed by another burst, and then another-each just as embarrassing as thest.


    "Oh my goodness, how awful!" Mrs. Patterson eximed, pping a hand over her mouth and nose, her face contorted in distress.


    Nelly wanted nothing more than to sink through the floor. Her stomach was now in open revolt. "Excuse me I need the restroom," she blurted, and half-ran out of the room, a trail of mortifying noises following her.


    She was so ashamed she wished she could disappearpletely.


    Just then, Mr. Patterson''s phone began to ring. The ringtone, a dramatic, swelling melody, seemed to underscore the chaos. Combined with the lingering odor and Nelly''s retreat, it was too much—the rest of the group scrambled for the door, desperate for fresh air.


    A waiter hurried in to clear up, only to gag audibly several times. It was undoubtedly the most traumatic experience he''d ever had on the job.


    "I''m so sorry, Mr. Patterson, Mrs. Patterson," Irving apologized, his tone genuinely flustered. "I have no idea what happened, but I''m sure Nelly didn''t mean for any of this. Sometimes these things just... happen."


    He''d barely finished speaking when Mrs. Patterson doubled over, retching again.


    It was awful. Absolutely awful.


    Effie stepped in, trying to salvage the situation. "We''re truly sorry about all this. Why don''t we move to another room and start over? We''d love the chance to host you properly."


    Mr. Patterson, still picturing the chaos from just minutes ago, felt his appetite vanish. He was about to politely decline when Mrs. Patterson squeezed his hand,


    her eyes hopeful. "Let''s give it another try," she pleaded softly.


    Mr. Patterson adored his wife; they''d always been close.


    "All right," he agreed with a resigned sigh.