The entire lobby fell into an awkward silence.
Caelan Cooper's face turned ashen.
Myrtle Stevens' confident smile froze on her lips.
She had never imagined that the owner of Xiaoxiang Pavilion would be Niles Hawke's younger brother.
The whispers around them grew louder.
"So he claimed to know the owner?"
"The owner doesn't even know his name!"
"How embarrassing…"
Caelan clenched his fists, forcing himself to remain composed.
"Young Master Hawke, I think there's been a misunderstanding. We only met briefly during a business dinner…"
Hiram Hawke smiled casually.
"Really? Then why did you tell everyone we're friends?"
"I…"
Caelan was at a loss for words.
The manager stepped forward respectfully.
"Young Master, Mr. Cooper called me this morning saying he was your friend. He insisted that I reserve a table for him. Since he knew a few details about your previous visit, I believed him."
Hiram's expression immediately darkened.
"So he used my name to pressure my staff?"
The manager nodded.
"Yes."
Hiram laughed angrily.
"Interesting."
He turned to the manager.
"Starting today, Xiaoxiang Pavilion will never accept reservations from the Cooper Family."
"Yes, Young Master."
Caelan's pupils shrank.
"You can't do this!"
Hiram raised an eyebrow.
"My restaurant. My rules."
"You…"
Caelan's chest heaved with anger, but he couldn't say another word.
At that moment, Niles' cold voice sounded once again.
"Didn't you accuse someone of pushing your girlfriend?"
Everyone's attention shifted back to Myrtle.
The manager immediately understood.
"I'll have security bring up the surveillance footage."
Myrtle's face instantly lost all color.
"No… that's not necessary…"
Niles looked at her indifferently.
"Afraid?"
"I…"
She instinctively grabbed Caelan's sleeve.
Caelan hurriedly said, "Mr. Hawke, this is just a misunderstanding between sisters. There's no need to make such a fuss."
"Oh?"
Niles' gaze was sharp enough to make Caelan's scalp tingle.
"So when you falsely accused someone just now, you weren't making a fuss?"
Caelan fell silent.
Within minutes, a security guard hurried over carrying a tablet.
"Young Master, we've retrieved the footage."
The manager connected it to the large television in the lobby.
Everyone watched attentively.
The video clearly showed Myrtle grabbing Eileen's injured wrist.
Eileen repeatedly tried to pull away.
Then, just as Eileen finally broke free, Myrtle deliberately released her grip, took two exaggerated steps backward, and threw herself onto the floor.
Not once did Eileen touch her.
The evidence was undeniable.
Gasps filled the restaurant.
"So she faked it!"
"What an actress!"
"I almost believed her."
"Poor girl. She was wrongly accused."
Myrtle's face turned deathly pale.
"I… I didn't…"
Slap!
A loud sound echoed through the lobby.
Caelan had slapped Myrtle across the face.
"You idiot!" he hissed through gritted teeth. "Look what you've done!"
Myrtle stared at him in disbelief, tears welling in her eyes.
"Caelan…"
"You embarrassed me in front of President Hawke!"
The surrounding diners looked at the couple with contempt.
Only moments ago they had appeared affectionate.
Now they were blaming each other.
Hiram shook his head.
"What a joke."
He turned to the security guards.
"Escort them out."
Two guards immediately stepped forward.
"Mr. Cooper. Miss Stevens. Please leave."
Humiliated beyond words, Caelan lowered his head and stormed toward the exit.
Myrtle covered her swollen cheek as tears streamed down her face before she hurried after him.
The moment they disappeared through the doors, applause erupted throughout the restaurant.
Several guests looked at Eileen sympathetically.
"Miss, you handled that with remarkable patience."
"If it were me, I'd have slapped her long ago."
Eileen smiled awkwardly.
She wasn't used to being the center of attention.
Niles glanced at the bruises on her wrist once more.
"They're getting worse."
Eileen looked down.
"They'll heal in a few days."
Niles frowned.
"No."
He turned to Zavier Harding.
"Call Dr. Rowan."
Zavier nodded immediately.
"Right away, President."
Eileen quickly waved her hands.
"It really isn't that serious."
Niles looked at her with a seriousness that left no room for argument.
"To me, it is."
For a brief moment, the noisy restaurant seemed to disappear.
Their eyes met.
A faint blush crept onto Eileen's cheeks as she lowered her head, her heartbeat quickening.
Watching the scene, Hiram's jaw nearly dropped.
He quietly pulled Zavier aside and whispered,
"Since when did my brother learn to care about a woman?"
Zavier smiled knowingly.
"I told you before."
"The president…"
"…has finally found his treasure."