Chapter 272 Is This Your New Boyfriend?
Susanna was puzzled by the waiter's special treatment. Jack was the host, after all!
She told the waiter, "I don't need anything else, thanks."
The waiter left without acknowledging Jack.
Lucy immediately commented, "What's with that waiter? Does he think Susanna's hosting?"
People laughed with Lucy.
Trying to save face, Jack said, "The waiter's just being polite. I've been here a lot and wanted you all to enjoy it. Order whatever you like. The bill's on me."
"Jack, you're always so generous," Lucy said, adding a hint of something more. The mood shifted, and Susanna lost her appetite.
She noticed Flandre and Jim chatting.
Susanna quietly poured herself some water. Despite Lucy and Jack being annoying, she was here to help Flandre and Jim.
Soon, the waiter returned with a ton of dishes, way more than they ordered.
Jack noticed first. "We didn't order this much."
The waiter looked at Susanna and said, "These are compliments from our boss. Enjoy."
After the waiter left, Jack was confused. He didn't know the owner well, as they were in different social circles.
Lucy noticed some dishes. "Jack, aren't these from the VIP menu? How did we get these?"
Everyone thought Susanna's ordering mistake meant they wouldn't get these dishes. But here they were.
Juniper praised, "It must be Jack's influence. Who else has that pull?"
Lucy smiled. "Jack, you've been hiding this. I asked my parents for a card here, and they refused. But you have VIP status."
The room buzzed with praise for Jack. He knew he only had a regular membership and couldn't access the VIP menu. Confused but wanting to save face, he didn't correct them.
Just then, Susanna's phone beeped. It was a message from Brian: [How's the food? I talked to Elite, the owner. He promised special treatment!]
Susanna realized why the waiter was so respectful—Brian had spoken to the owner.
She replied: [Thanks, Brian.]
Flandre whispered, "So it's thanks to your brother. Why not say something? Everyone's praising Jack."
Susanna put down her phone and listened to Lucy's compliments for Jack. Everyone thought the special dishes were because of him, but Susanna stayed quiet.
She whispered back, "No need. We won't see them again anyway."
"Yeah, no need to keep in touch with these folks. It's pointless."
Susanna smiled at Flandre and asked, "So, what do you think of Jim?" Flandre's blush confirmed Susanna's reason for being there—to support her friend.
Jack raised his glass. "Cheers, everyone. Thanks for letting me share this meal. Here's to our success and a bright future."
Susanna opted for water instead of alcohol. Lucy quickly commented, "Susanna, everyone else is toasting with drinks, and you're just having water. What's up with that?"
Susanna replied calmly, "I'm not feeling well and can't drink. Sorry."
As a pregnant woman, she definitely couldn't drink.
Lucy scoffed, "You just want to stand out."
Jack cut in, "If she can't drink, she doesn't have to. This is a reunion, not a business dinner. Everyone can choose freely."
Lucy glared at Susanna, clearly upset.
After the toast, Jack approached Susanna. "Susanna, let's connect on Facebook. We've got some cool design projects, and once you graduate, you could work with us. The perks are great."
"We'll see after I graduate. I haven't decided yet." Susanna planned to leave Lindwell and didn't want a job in Novaria.
Seeing Jack send Susanna a friend request, Lucy's jealousy peaked. She remarked, "Susanna, if you join our company, we can look out for each other. But I heard HR isn't friendly to divorced women without kids. I know the HR manager, so I can help."
Flandre jumped in, "Susanna doesn't need that. She won first place in the H.F. International Design Award, and both the Abbott Group and Novaria's Sliverpeak Group invited her."
"If she's that good, why hasn't she joined a big company yet?" Lucy sneered.
"Because she wants to graduate first," Flandre shot back.
Jack said, "Isn't that risky? Even with a degree, you might not get into those big companies."
Flandre replied, "The HR from those companies said she could join anytime after graduation."
Lucy was visibly jealous.
Juniper chimed in, "Who believes that?"
Flandre posted screenshots of the messages from the companies in the group chat. "I have no reason to lie. These messages speak for themselves!"
Their classmates couldn't help but be impressed. "Susanna, you're amazing," they said.
"Don't forget us when you join a big company in the future!," someone added.
Jack smiled. "Congrats, Susanna. Let's hang out often."
Lucy and Juniper were fuming, pushing their food around their plates.
After the meal, Susanna and Flandre headed to the restroom but ran into a middle-aged man in a suit at the door. He respectfully asked Susanna, "Was everything satisfactory?"
Susanna nodded, a bit suspicious. "It was fine."
Lucy seized the moment, "Susanna, is this distinguished gentleman your new boyfriend?"
