When they arrived at the bistro, however, they learned that a private celebration dinner was being held. It was a small party, so there were still tables avable, just no private rooms.


    Noreen asked Vincent if he minded, offering to find another ce if he did. He said it was fine.


    They had just been seated when a group of people swept in through the entrance, clearly the guests for the party. Noreen paid them no mind as she perused the


    menu.


    Yvonne Laurent was busy greeting the other wives when she looked up and saw Noreen sitting at the most prominent table in the main dining room. Her brow furrowed instantly. She summoned a waiter, whispered a few instructions, and then led her guests into a private room.


    Noreen had just finished ordering when a man who looked like the manager approached their table, his expression apologetic. "My apologies, but there seems to have been a mistake by the staff. All our tables have been reserved for the evening."


    "I see. We''ll find somewhere else, then." Noreen and Vincent stood up to leave. Just as they reached the door, they ran into Mrs. Naylor herself.


    "Miss Gilmore!" she eximed, her face lighting up. "Are you here for dinner?"


    "Mrs. Naylor,” Noreen greeted her, exining, “I was hoping to support your business, but it seems you''re fully booked. We''ll have to try again another time."


    "That can''t be right. We should have tables on a weeknight," Mrs. Naylor said, puzzled. She immediately pulled out her phone and called the manager.


    Whatever was said on the other end made Mrs. Naylor''s expression flicker, but when she faced Noreen again, her smile was as warm as ever. "The manager made a mistake. Of course, we have a table for you. In fact, I''ll open up my personal private room."


    This was turning into quite the ordeal. If it weren''t for Mrs. Naylor''s kindness, Noreen would have been long gone.


    Mrs. Naylor personally escorted


    them back into the restaurant, settling them into her exclusive room. She then informed the staff that their meal was to be on her tab. Noreen quickly tried to refuse, but Mrs Naylor insisted taking Noreen''s hand. "Please, think of this dinner as my apology for my staff''s unprofessionalism. Let me make it up to you."


    Seeing Noreen was still hesitant, she added, "If it makes you feel better, just promise you''lle back again. I''ll upgrade you to a VIP


    membership! You cane whenever you like, and fit, quar


    guarantee


    there will always be a table waiting for you!"


    "You really don''t have to go to all this trouble."


    "It''s my pleasure. Now, you two enjoy your conversation. I won''t disturb you."


    The moment Mrs. Naylor left the room, she dialed Healy''s number. "Get over to The Moonstone Bistro for dinner."


    "I''m busy," Healy replied dismissively. Bianca had invited him to the same event in their group chat an hour ago, and he''d ignored it.


    Mrs. Naylor just chuckled. "Are you sure you want to miss this?"


    "I''m not in the mood for a party," he said, assuming she meant Bianca''s celebration.


    "All right, then. I was hoping to create a little opportunity for you and Noreen, but I guess I was getting ahead of myself."<fn5c55> Discover more novels at find?novel</fn5c55>


    Healy, who had been about to hang up, froze. "You''re saying Noreen is at the bistro right now?"


    "Did I say that? Never mind, if you''re busy, you''re busy. Bye now."


    Mrs. Naylor decisively ended the call. *That boy,* she thought with a smirk. *Always ying hard to get.*


    Instead of rejoining the party, she found the manager. "You don''t need toe to work tomorrow," she said coolly. Then she turned to a waite When Mrs Lowelles to pay, make sure you charge her the full amount. No discounts. She paused, then added, "Anebrevoke her VIP status."