Chapter 426 Clearing the Scene
The moment Abella crossed the threshold of the restaurant, she was immediately noticed by a keen-eyed girl.
"Isn't that Abella?" she questioned aloud.
The girl who had spotted Abella was a companion of Samantha's. They were comfortably seated by the window, indulging in the pleasures of afternoon tea. The sight of Abella in this setting was an unexpected surprise.
Upon recognizing Abella, Samantha's face twisted in distaste. It was indeed that wretch! Ever since her return to the Medici family, this little nuisance seemed to have an endless supply of money to flaunt.
As Abella sauntered past Samantha's table, a sudden elbow nudged two exquisitely decorated cupcakes off the table and onto the floor. Had Abella not sidestepped swiftly, her shoes would have been smeared with frosting.
"Abella? Are you blind?" Samantha's voice was sharp and accusing. "You ruined our cupcakes. You should compensate us."
Abella, however, chose to ignore Samantha's words. She stepped over the fallen cupcakes and prepared to leave.
"We're addressing you, are you deaf?" Samantha's voice rang out, attracting a considerable amount of attention.
One of Samantha's friends reached out to halt Abella, a cold sneer etched on her face. "So, you neither pay nor apologize when you damage someone else's property? It seems you really are both deaf and dumb..."
Abella's eyes hardened, a frosty warning in her voice. "Do you still want your hand or not?"
"You..." Samantha’s voice trailed off, her bravado faltering.
Memories of the night Abella had fiercely thrashed Max flooded back, causing Samantha's friends to retract their hand hastily, not daring to argue further.
"Is this what the Medici family teaches you?" Samantha's voice was loud and aggressive, "Oh, I forgot, you just returned from some backwater town, still clinging to your bumpkin habits... Let me tell you, if you don't apologize and compensate, this isn't over!"
A waiter, noticing the escalating situation, hurried over. "Excuse me, what seems to be the problem here?"
"She knocked over my cake. I asked for an apology and compensation, but she refused," Samantha pointed at Abella, her voice filled with complaint, "The standards of this restaurant are really dropping. Allowing any riff-raff in, it's just upsetting."
The waiter, however, was left confused, uncertain of the true events.
"The cakes were knocked over by her, which can be proved by the security cameras," Abella's voice was cool and detached, as if she were merely observing a group of fools.
"Then go ahead, let them check the cameras!" Samantha had noticed that the only camera facing their table was conveniently blocked by Abella's passing figure; Samantha's little maneuver couldn't have been captured.
The girls demanded that the waiter review the security footage. Although the camera didn't capture who knocked over the cake, it was evident that the cake was precariously placed at the edge of the table and fell as Abella passed by...
"See? The cake was fine on the table, and it fell when she came by. What does that tell you?"
Abella smirked coldly, "The camera caught it all very clearly. When I approached, your right elbow stretched out on purpose. This low-level trick, even if we took it to the police, do you think they wouldn't see through it?"
Sensing the seriousness of the situation, the waiter quickly summoned the restaurant manager.
Having heard the story, the manager bowed politely, "Ladies, how about this. We'll serve you a new set of cupcakes, and we put this whole episode behind us..."
But Samantha was not one to back down until she had her way. She towered over Abella, issuing her ultimatum with an air of unyielding authority, "You can either apologize and compensate, or let me slap you, and we'll call it even."
Abella found the whole situation rather amusing. "Are you mental? You should make an appointment with your doctor and get your head checked."
Samantha stood up, blocking Abella's path, and declared, "I've set my sights on slapping that smug look right off your face!"
Just as Samantha was on the brink of making her move, a woman of striking beauty and elegance approached them. Her features were exquisite, radiating a charm that was nothing short of breathtaking.
She took Abella's hand as if offering her support, her gaze coolly settling on the young women responsible for the ensuing chaos. "Mrs. Bourbon? What brings you here?" The restaurant manager was a mix of humility and surprise upon seeing her. He had heard that Claire was awaiting her future daughter-in-law, and he couldn't help but wonder if this young lady was the one.
"Simply grew tired of the private dining room and decided to come down to fetch my daughter-in-law. And, Manager, no offense intended, but you're standing there while these people harass my future daughter-in-law…"
"Mrs. Bourbon, there's been a misunderstanding," the manager began, a hint of grievance in his voice. "I tried to diffuse the situation, but these young ladies wouldn't have it…"
The spectators were no strangers to troublemakers, but this was an entirely different level.
Samantha and her friends were taken aback. The woman before them, who could instill such fear in the manager, could she be from the Bourbon Group? Could she be Phillipe's mother, Mrs. Bourbon?
Upon closer scrutiny, Samantha was convinced that the stunning lady was indeed Mrs. Bourbon. Having not seen her for some time, she seemed even more refined and noble. Known for her breathtaking beauty and fair complexion, she exuded a regal and gentle aura, yet there was an air of unapproachable elegance about her.
But what was this about Abella being her daughter-in-law?
"That's impossible!"
"She's not Lola..." Samantha chimed in, attempting to clear up the confusion. "Her name is Abella; she's the recently recognized daughter of the Medici family."
"I can see perfectly well without your reminders," Claire retorted, before addressing the restaurant manager. "We came here to enjoy a peaceful afternoon tea. Since someone insists on causing a disturbance, I suggest you clear the venue."
"Yes, of course," the manager agreed, recognizing that the young ladies had met their match. He promptly began to clear the space.
Samantha's friends sensed impending disaster and panic began to set in.
"I just remembered something urgent at home, I must go..."
"Me too, I just, uh, started my period..."
"We'll catch up another time..."
As the friends attempted to make their escape, they found their path blocked by several attentive staff members.
The girls were terrified and quickly hid behind Samantha, their cowardice so palpable that Samantha felt embarrassed on their behalf.
Once the restaurant was cleared, the manager had the doors closed and a "Closed for Business" sign hung up. He brought over a chair with the utmost respect and addressed the matriarch of the Bourbon family, "Mrs. Bourbon, the venue has been prepared as per your orders. Please, take a seat and rest."
Claire sat down with grace and pulled out her cell phone to make a call. "Ophelia, come to the Sea View Restaurant," she instructed firmly.
Hearing the name "Ophelia" sent a chill down Samantha's spine—it was her mother's name!
How on earth did Mrs. Bourbon have her mother's contact information? Then it dawned on her; during the financial crisis years ago, the Bourbon Group had come to their aid...
Recently, the Bourbon Group had been collaborating on a few projects with the Samantha family...
"It's not afternoon tea I'm calling you for. Your daughter has been bullying my daughter-in-law, slandering her, and even wanted to resort to violence... You need to come and give her a lesson," Claire stated.
Samantha's heart plummeted.
Her friends, seeing the gravity of the situation, were terrified and began to hastily make excuses.
"Mrs. Bourbon, I didn't get involved in this matter..." one pleaded.
"Something urgent has come up at home; may I be excused to attend to it?" implored another.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
