Howard pointed at Tyler, who sat there like he couldn’t care less. “Tyler, you’ve got guts. Just your wait!”
Tyler smirked and lifted his chin a little. “Oh, I’ve got guts, alright. As for you, well, that’s up for debate.”
Howard was so furious that he clenched his jaw. He shook his uninjured hand threateningly as he stormed out of the restaurant.
Cecilia let out a long sigh of relief and tugged Rachel back to her seat. Around them, the bystanders who had just witnessed the drama couldn’t help but give Rachel a thumbs–up.
Whispers of admiration came pouring in.
“Damn, that girl was badass. Did you see that move? So cool!”
“I know Howard Ziegler. He’s one of the most arrogant, fearless heirs in the city. Even other rich kids who can’t stand him usually just back off. No one wants to mess with his family. With his grandfather’s background, who would dare?”
“Exactly.”
“But did you see how she just locked up his wrist? I didn’t even catch the movement before hearing the sound of bones cracking! If it were me, I’d be screaming too.”
“Mommy, thatdy was amazing! I wanna learn martial arts so I can fight bad guys too!”
“Yes, that’s wonderful. I’ve always said girls need to learn how to protect themselves. What if something bad happens and we’re not around?”
Cecilia took it all in. Her eyes were full of admiration as she turned to Rachel. “Rachel, you were incredible just now! When did you learn that move?”
“Back in the day,” Rachel replied casually.
One of her old coworkers had practiced martial arts. After what she had been through before, Rachel had decided it was essential to pick up a few skills just in case. She needed to be able to protect herself.
She wasn’t going to end up like that time five years ago, when Howard tried to force himself on her and all she could do was scream or brace for the worst.
“You were seriously amazing! I was so scared just now.”
Rachel knew Cecilia was the timid type, and patted thetter’s shoulder reassuringly. “Being scared doesn’t help when you’re in a bad situation.”
“You’re right.”
Tyler leaned back and cut in, “You’ve embarrassed Howard in public. Watch your back. He’ll want payback.”
“Thanks for the warning, Mr. Hunt,” Rachel said dryly.
Halfway through the meal, Tyler’s phone rang. He nced at the screen and frowned.
“I’ve got to take this. You two go ahead and eat.”
Rachel watched Tyler step outside to take the call, then quickly shot Cecilia a look.
Having worked with Rachel for years, Cecilia understood instantly. She turned toward Yale, blocking his line of sight, and struck up a conversation.
“So, Yale, how many years have you been working with Mr. Hunt?”
Meanwhile, Rachel walked up to the cashier. “Hi, can I get the bill for table 315?”
“That’ll be 80,000.”
Rachel’s heart skipped a beat. Moon & Barrel truly lived up to its reputation! 80,000 for a meal was
insane.
“Could I please get the receipt?” she asked.
The cashier paused, clearly surprised by the request. She slowly looked up at Rachel with a strange expression before tossing the receipt at her with obvious reluctance.
Rachel frowned, but didn’t say anything. Staff who worked in high–end restaurants were often snobbish. It wasn’t worth picking a fight over this.
When she looked at the receipt, something seemed wrong.
“This isn’t right. We never ordered the lobster or the caviar.”
No wonder it added up to 80,000. Those dishes alone cost a fortune.
But the cashier gave her a bored, almost mocking look.
“There’s no way we made a mistake. You ordered them. Everyone in Yurelia knows how professional Moon & Barrel is. We don’t mess up orders, let alone cheat people.”
Her tone was full of disdain, like she thought Rachel was just trying to get out of paying.
A line had formed behind them.
“What’s going on? Can you hurry it up?”
The cashier was also losing her patience.
“Miss, if you can’t afford the food, you shouldn’te to ces like this. You already ate it, and now you say you didn’t order it?”
She turned and waved over another nearby staff member.
“Keep an eye on her. If she tries to run, call the cops right away.”