"Sister! What are you doing?!"
Myrtle Stevens' pitiful cry echoed through the restaurant lobby, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
The surrounding diners looked over one after another.
Caelan Cooper rushed forward and hurriedly helped Myrtle to her feet.
"Myrtle!" he exclaimed, glaring at Eileen. "Eileen Stevens! Have you lost your mind?"
Myrtle leaned weakly against Caelan's chest, tears streaming down her face.
"I… I only wanted to ask Sister why she was here. I didn't expect her to hate me so much…"
She bit her lip as though trying to suppress her sobs.
"I know she still blames me for marrying you…"
Caelan's expression darkened.
"Eileen, I thought we ended things peacefully. Why are you still following us everywhere? First the banquet, now this restaurant!"
The surrounding guests immediately began whispering among themselves.
"So she's the ex-fiancée?"
"She actually pushed that young lady?"
"What terrible manners…"
Eileen looked at the pair with icy calm.
She knew exactly what Myrtle was doing.
"Finished acting?" she asked coldly.
Myrtle's eyes widened.
"Sister, how can you say that?"
"I never touched you," Eileen replied. "You let go of my wrist yourself."
"What evidence do you have?" Caelan sneered.
Eileen glanced toward the ceiling.
"There are surveillance cameras."
The smiles on Myrtle and Caelan's faces stiffened almost imperceptibly.
Before either of them could respond, the restaurant manager hurried over.
"What happened here?"
Myrtle immediately burst into louder tears.
"Manager, my sister pushed me for no reason!"
The manager frowned.
"This restaurant has surveillance in every public area. We'll review the footage."
Myrtle's heartbeat skipped.
She had been so focused on framing Eileen that she had forgotten about the cameras.
Before she could think of another excuse, a deep, indifferent voice drifted from the staircase.
"There's no need."
Everyone instinctively turned.
Niles Hawke slowly descended the stairs, one hand tucked into the pocket of his tailored trousers.
His handsome features were expressionless, yet the powerful aura surrounding him made the bustling lobby fall silent.
The manager immediately bowed respectfully.
"President Hawke."
Every employee straightened at once.
Caelan froze.
President Hawke?
Why was Niles Hawke here?
Myrtle's face instantly brightened.
She quickly adjusted her expression into one of gentle vulnerability.
Perfect.
This was the opportunity she had been waiting for.
If Niles Hawke saw her kindness and elegance, perhaps he would remember her.
She lowered her head shyly.
"Mr. Hawke… I'm sorry you had to witness such an embarrassing family dispute."
Niles did not even spare her a glance.
Instead, he walked directly toward Eileen.
His gaze fell upon her wrist.
A circle of angry red marks wrapped around her pale skin.
His eyes instantly turned cold.
"Who did this?"
Eileen subconsciously hid her hand.
"It's nothing."
Niles gently took her wrist into his hand.
The bruises were already beginning to darken.
His expression became frighteningly calm.
"Did she grab you?"
Eileen nodded faintly.
"She wouldn't let go."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.
Caelan stepped forward.
"Mr. Hawke, you've misunderstood. Myrtle was the victim—"
"I wasn't asking you."
Niles interrupted him without looking his way.
Caelan's face turned pale.
At that moment, hurried footsteps came from outside.
A casually dressed young man strode into the restaurant.
The moment the manager saw him, he bowed again.
"Young Master."
Hiram Hawke yawned lazily.
"My brother, who exactly annoyed you this early in the morning—"
His words stopped as he noticed Caelan.
He looked him up and down.
"Who are you?"
Caelan forced an awkward smile.
"Young Master Hawke, perhaps you've forgotten. We've met before."
Hiram frowned.
"Have we?"
"We exchanged business cards."
"Oh."
Hiram nodded thoughtfully.
"I exchange business cards with hundreds of people every year."
He paused before asking,
"So… who are you again?"
A ripple of laughter spread through the restaurant.
Caelan's face burned crimson.
Myrtle clenched her handbag tightly.
This wasn't how things were supposed to happen.
She quickly smiled.
"Young Master Hawke, Caelan is actually friends with the owner here."
Hiram blinked.
"The owner?"
"Yes."
"He personally reserved us a table."
Hiram looked around in confusion before pointing at himself.
"But…"
"I'm the owner."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Every pair of eyes landed on Caelan and Myrtle.
The manager lowered his head, trying desperately not to laugh.
Several diners couldn't help snickering.
"So that's the friend?"
"He doesn't even recognize him."
"How embarrassing."
Caelan wished the floor would open up and swallow him whole.
His face alternated between red and white.
Hiram folded his arms and smiled mischievously.
"My restaurant only accepts reservations."
"So tell me…"
"When exactly did I become your friend?"