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Chapter 18 A Toast to You

  • Dressed in haute couture, Gigi stood behind Jean with a few women in similar clothing.
  • She looked astonished as if she had seen something that shouldn't be there.
  • Jean wasn't expecting to see her there.
  • Other than her frenemies, Gigi was accompanied by an unexpected person.
  • He was Edgar's friend, Nathan Knox.
  • In her two years of marriage with Edgar, Jean only met him a few times. As a result, she wasn't familiar with him.
  • Nathan frowned as he looked at Jean in her slip-dress. He hesitated.
  • "Jean, are you… working here?"
  • He spoke carefully, but Jean felt a piercing pain in her heart.
  • It was true that Jean Eyer of the Eyer Group had lost her position and ended up in such a place.
  • And who should I thank for this?
  • Jean kept quiet. Nathan took her silence as a yes. His heart sank as he stepped between her and the man.
  • "Does Edgar know that you're here?"
  • "Mr. Knox, I'm no longer married to him. Am I supposed to report my daily routine to my ex-husband?"
  • Nathan paused. Their divorce was the gossip of the day. Naturally, he would have heard of it.
  • Before he could say another word, Gigi interjected.
  • "Jean, you shouldn't work here even though you need money. How much do you need? I can lend it to you. If you work in this type of place…"
  • "Ms. Reece, we do not condone unscrupulous business here. What do you mean by 'this type of place'?"
  • The manager interrupted.
  • If Jean quit her job, the manager would be in trouble for spreading the word that she was working there. 
  • Jean laughed.
  • "Enough with the pretense. I'm only here because you recommended it to me in the first place, Ms. Reece."
  • Gigi didn't expect Jean to reveal the fact. Her face darkened.
  • Gigi's friends exchanged looks.
  • "Alright then. Since Ms. Eyer is working here, shall we call for her service?"
  • Mr. Wilson wouldn't let the opportunity go.
  • "Madam Lylah, isn't it first come, first served? You know what's the reasonable thing to do here."
  • "Mr. Wilson, we know that you should be served first. We aren't thinking of taking Cindy away from you. What if we call for her service together?"
  • An unreadable expression flitted across the women's faces.
  • Mr. Wilson paused before grinning from ear to ear. He was delighted at the suggestion. 
  • "Of course! No wonder you are all Ms. Reece's friends! Very well, I agree!"
  • The manager was used to all types of people but didn't expect them to treat Jean that way. She looked at Jean, pitying her.
  • Jean knew that they were humiliating her.
  • "Are you all crazy? Don't regret it when things turn out badly!" Nathan choked on his words. "Jean, you've let Edgar down…"
  • Infuriated, he looked at her and left.
  • Gigi watched as Nathan left the place. She had achieved her aim—to make everyone surrounding Edgar look down on her!
  • She dropped her caring act and looked at Jean with contempt.
  • "Cindy, isn't it great to have two wages at a time? Take your time and think about it. Oh, maybe you can't. Customers are king. Am I right, Mr. Wilson?"
  • Mr. Wilson laughed out loud. He eyed Jean, eager to start.
  • "Ms. Reece, you have a good head on your shoulders! You're completely right! Come, Cindy, chat with us." He reached out his hand toward Jean. 
  • "Mr. Wilson, be patient. Should we get Cindy to drink a toast to you first?"
  • Gigi stopped him with her hand. Her words seemed to be hinting at something.
  • He was bewildered but quickly responded.
  • "You're right, Cindy owes me a glass!"
  • Jean laughed inwardly at the scene.
  • It was obvious to her what they were thinking. She was aware of how much Gigi wanted to embarrass her.
  • In that case, she would grant their wish.
  • She rose to her feet, struggling with her weak legs. She walked slowly but surely toward the man.
  • All at the scene watched in amazement.
  • "Mr. Wilson, let me raise a toast to you." 
  • She raised the glass of champagne in her hand and clinked it against his glass.
  • Astonished, Mr. Wilson looked at her.
  • Jean ignored him, not waiting for him to recover.
  • "And Ms. Reece, I would like to thank you for recommending this place to me."
  • She poured the yellow-gold liquor over Gigi's head.