Not long after, an elderly man with silver hair and glasses, wearing a neat suit, appeared from behind the restaurant door.
He looked elegant and authoritative. This was Mr. Chen, the legendary General Manager of La Mirage, who had served at the restaurant for decades.
As soon as he saw Mr. Chen, Kevin accosted him. "Finally! Mr. Chen, you must remember me, right? I'm Kevin Santosa. Grandson of Mrs. Heidi Santosa. We collaborated on a charity project last year."
Mr. Chen initially looked friendly. His wrinkled face formed a formal smile. "Ah, Mr. Kevin. Of course, I remember. How can I help you?" He did know Heidi Santosa and respected her as a loyal customer.
Seeing this "warm" reception, Kevin's confidence soared again. He pointed towards Davin and Vania, who were already seated at their table. "Those people! They insulted me and disrupted the queue. I demand you expel them! They don't deserve to eat in a place of this caliber!"
From their table, Vania felt her heart pounding. She knew Mr. Chen from family events. The man was highly respected and known for being very strict about rules. If Kevin could influence him, they would be truly humiliated.
But Davin looked calm. He even invited Vania to try the wine that had been poured.
Just as Mr. Chen was about to speak, the phone in his suit pocket vibrated. He excused himself for a moment and answered it.
Vania noticed how Mr. Chen's expression, initially friendly and professional, changed drastically.
His face turned pale, then very serious. He bowed slightly, as if the person on the call could see him, and said, "Yes, Mr. Lunggana. Of course. I understand. I'll do it immediately."
"Mr. Lunggana? Joni Lunggana?" Vania grew more confused. "What does he have to do with this?"
As soon as the call ended, Mr. Chen's aura completely changed. He no longer looked at Kevin with a friendly attitude. His gaze was now cold and authoritative.
Davin, reading the situation perfectly, pretended to stand up. "Alright, Van. It seems we're not welcome here. Let's go," he said loudly enough for Kevin to hear, pretending to acquiesce to Kevin's "demand" to leave the restaurant.
Seeing this, Kevin smirked smugly. "Yes, get lost! Trash like you don't belong here—"
"Mr. Davin! Wait!" Mr. Chen suddenly exclaimed, his firm voice cutting off Kevin's words.
Everyone was shocked. Kevin was stunned.
Mr. Chen walked quickly to Davin and Vania's table, completely ignoring Kevin. "Please forgive my staff's earlier insolence. Please remain seated. You are our guests of honor."
Kevin couldn't believe what he was hearing and seeing. "M-Mr. Chen! What are you doing? I asked you to expel them!"
Mr. Chen finally turned to Kevin. However, there was no trace of friendliness left on his face. "Mr. Kevin. I have just received direct confirmation from my superior. Your behavior tonight is highly inappropriate and has disturbed the peace of our guests, especially our guests of honor, Mr. Davin and Mrs. Vania."
"Guests of honor? He's just a ride-hailing driver!" Kevin shouted, refusing to accept it.
"That's enough!" Mr. Chen snapped, his voice thundering in the now silent lobby. "Effective immediately, you and your entire party are banned from La Mirage for life. Your name will be added to our blacklist."
Kevin was shocked. "You can't do this! My grandmother—"
"I don't care about your grandmother!" Mr. Chen cut him off coldly. "Even if Mrs. Heidi Santosa herself came, I would throw her out if she behaved like you. The only people from the Santosa family we will respect and serve here are Mrs. Vania Santosa and her husband, Mr. Davin. The rest, no."
He signaled to the security guards. "Escort them out. If they resist, use force."
The security guards, who had been annoyed by Kevin's behavior, immediately approached with stern faces.
Kevin and his friends, seeing the situation turning bad, finally shrank back.
With faces full of shame and unexpressed anger, Kevin eventually retreated and hurried away, accompanied by the soft jeers of other guests who had witnessed the scene.
After Kevin left, the atmosphere changed instantly. Mr. Chen turned to Davin and Vania with a slight bow. "Once again, I apologize for the unpleasant incident. All your food and drinks tonight are complimentary, on me. Please enjoy your evening."
He winked at the waiters. Immediately, the service provided to Davin and Vania became exceptionally special.
Every dish was served with perfection, the best wine was poured, and the manager continuously ensured their comfort.
Vania sat in a state of half-amazement and half-confusion. Her eyes looked at Davin, who had sat back down calmly as if nothing had happened.
"Davin," Vania whispered, her voice full of wonder. "What... how could... Mr. Chen change like that so suddenly? And he said... guests of honor? Joni Lunggana?"
Davin just smiled, picking up his wine glass. "Maybe it's because I'm a manager at Laguna Group now, Van. Joni Lunggana might have told Mr. Chen that I'm an important employee. Or maybe," he added with a twinkle in his eye, "today is just our lucky day."
Vania looked at him, and for the first time, she didn't completely believe that simple explanation.
But Davin's smile was so reassuring, and the night was too beautiful to be spoiled by unanswered questions.
She decided to enjoy this moment, the moment where she and Davin, for the first time, were treated the way they had dreamed.