Chapter 251 Ran into an Acquaintance
The Golden Elm Bistro in Willowbrook.
Thalassa and her crew strolled into the restaurant, with Isolde dragging Laura along.
Laura didn't even notice James was left behind, and even if she did, she wouldn't have had the chance to go back for him.
"Laura, I'm not trying to be a nag, but you're not getting any younger, and it's normal to want a boyfriend. But you can't just pick anyone, right? What's the deal with that James?" Thalia said, giving Laura a knowing look.
Laura's face soured instantly. "Aunt Thalia, who I date is my business, not yours! If you have so much free time, maybe focus more on Thalassa."
With that, Laura shook off Isolde's hand and turned to go find James.
Sure, Laura had some misunderstandings with James before, but she didn't think he was as bad as she initially thought.
Plus, she was starting to warm up to him, so hearing others badmouth James naturally ticked her off.
"What's with her? I might've been blunt, but I meant well," Thalia said awkwardly as she watched Laura leave.
"Laura's not with James because she really likes him. There's a lot you don't know, and she didn't have much of a choice," Joe replied, sounding resigned.
"No choice?" Thalia was taken aback and frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Forget it, it's too complicated to explain right now. I'll fill you in later," Joe said, waving his hand dismissively before heading into the private room.
By now, the waiter had already served all the dishes. Each one looked and smelled amazing, making everyone's mouth water.
Joe was a regular here, so he knew this spread would cost at least tens of thousands of dollars, not counting the drinks.
"Leander, we're just here for a casual meal. It's too much!" Joe whispered to Leander.
"Yeah, Leander, this is over the top. Don't do this next time!" Thalia chimed in, echoing Joe's sentiment.
Despite her words, Thalia was secretly pleased. After all, Leander did this for her.
Leander's annual salary was in the millions, but this meal alone would set him back nearly a hundred grand!
It was just a dinner, but since it was his first time treating Thalassa's parents, and Laura's parents were there too, he decided to splurge.
Leander had known Thalassa for over six months, but their relationship hadn't really progressed beyond holding hands and kissing.
Whenever Leander suggested they get a room to take things to the next level, Thalassa always had some excuse to turn him down. So, he figured splurging today might finally win her over.
Thalassa was pretty thrilled too. Her fiancé Leander was so impressive, way better than James.
For the first time, she felt like she had one-upped Laura, and her feelings for Leander started to skyrocket.
Meanwhile, Laura headed straight to the entrance to find James.
But when she got there, James was nowhere in sight, and she started to panic.
She worried that her parents' attitude and Thalia's comments had driven James away.
Little did she know, James hadn't left the restaurant; he had just bumped into an old acquaintance inside.
In a corner of The Golden Elm Bistro's hallway.
A middle-aged man was chatting and smiling at James. This guy was Atticus, the general manager of Fairy Lake Resort.
Atticus wasn't just the GM of Fairy Lake Resort; he also managed The Golden Elm Bistro.
Funny thing, James didn't even know this restaurant was part of his own property.
Atticus was there for an inspection and was surprised to run into James.
"Mr. Smith, if you were coming here, why didn't you give me a heads-up? I could've arranged something special for you," Atticus said, grinning.
"I'm here with my fiancée, and I had no idea this place was ours!" James replied casually.
"Oh, got it!" Atticus nodded, looking thoughtful.
"By the way, my fiancée doesn't know who I really am, and I want to keep it that way. You get what I'm saying?" James said quietly.
"Keep your identity a secret? What do you mean?" Atticus asked, confused.
James gave him a helpless look. Just as he was about to explain, his phone rang.
It was Laura calling.
James worried that if he kept talking to Atticus, Laura might see them and things would get messy. So, he quickly wrapped it up, "My fiancée is looking for me. I gotta go. Just remember, don't let anyone know I'm the owner of this place, okay?"
Atticus stood there, puzzled, not quite getting what James meant.
After parting ways with Atticus, James headed straight to the entrance and found Laura.
"James, where did you go? I was so worried; I thought you had left!" Laura exclaimed, relieved.
"I just went to the restroom!" James said with a smile.
"Good, I'm glad you didn't leave. Let's get back to the private room; the food's already out!" Laura said, pulling James along.
But when they got back to the private room, they ran into a pretty awkward situation.
There was one seat missing!
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