The driver didn’t even glance at Amelia and respectfully addressed the man still sitting in the car, as if he were the one who called the shots and ruled the world.
“Why is it that whatever number you say is the number it has to be?”
It was eighty thousand at first—now it’s three hundred thousand.
“Are you trying to rob me in broad daylight? Three hundred thousand? Why not just say a million for your car?”
“A million wouldn’t be enough!”
Esther couldn’t help but whisper into Amelia’s ear: if she kept acting reckless like this, she’d be ruined. The other side initially offered eighty grand, or they could just go through insurance and settle it. If she gave in and softened, kept it within the insurance coverage, that would be the insurance company’s business. But instead, she kept provoking the other party, and if things escalated, those people might even claim compensation for lost wages, which would truly make her cry.
People who could affor
Esther couldn’t help but feel the man at the next table looked like he was one second away from grabbing a knife and lunging at Evander. What was this guy thinking—did he really want to drag Evander out for a public roasting just because he was too charming?But what happened next caught her completely off guard.The man, now thoroughly scolded and embarrassed by his wife, quickly scooped up their child and shoved the menu back into her hands.“Wifey, look! Good husbands always let their wives order. Real dads? They take care of the kid so their wives can relax. It’s those so-called ‘masters of the house’ who never even hold the baby!”Wife: “...”Well… that actually made some sense. The dads who truly pull their weight at home? They’re not the ones giving orders—they’re the ones getting taken care of.“My husband may seem like a scumbag to the world,” she finally said with a huff, “but he’s a good man to me.”Evande
“Don’t you think I was the one bullying her?”Esther felt her heart lighten a bit. She’d worried that by chasing the woman away so fiercely just now, the little girl would think she was a bad person.That thought scared Esther—since when did she start caring what others thought of her? And it was just a little kid...Esther thought she must be going crazy missing children. It had been four years, and every time she thought of the child she couldn’t keep, her heart ached.“No way! That bad auntie sent people to hit you first, but she couldn’t beat you, so you chased her away!”The little girl spoke as she scooted closer to Esther’s side, her small hand actively holding Esther’s big one. Her voice was soft and sweet, melting one’s heart, “My daddy says that if a bad person tries to bully others, they can’t become the victim just because they get bullied back. A bad person is always bad, even if someone bullies them, they’re still bad!”Esther:
Esther appraised her with a faint, almost-smiling expression, then picked up the little girl and seated her on the sofa, away from the danger zone. Only then did she speak again,“No need to ask.”“You?!”Claire sounded as if she’d heard the biggest joke in the world. “You actually managed to buy the restaurant from my brother?”What a ridiculous international joke. She knew better than anyone who her brother was. Esther was nothing but a defeated dog driven out of the bottom-rung Daveniers—how could she possibly have the money to buy such a high-end restaurant?But when her eyes landed on the little girl quietly sitting on the sofa staring at Esther, they abruptly shifted to Evander, and her arrogant aura instantly vanished. Instead, she tentatively said, “Mr. Westvale?”“I was actually trying to be nice,” Evander said coldly, glancing at her once, then added slowly, “But Miss Davenier didn’t give me the chance.”Claire: “???”
“Begging?”Esther didn’t seem the least bit ruffled by the furious, humiliating tone. She slowly crossed her arms, a faint, almost mocking smile scanning her face. “Are you sure you can afford the meal I want?”“What a joke. Don’t you know who Claire is? If not, you can go ask around.”Did she really think she was a sick cat just because the tiger didn’t roar?At the last socialite ball, she took a huge loss. With Evander there, she had to hold back. But now, alone, she was going to get full revenge with interest.“Don’t say I can afford the meal you want—I can even give you your life. You really think clinging to Judy’s big leg will get you into the Westvale family? Stop dreaming. Even Judy can’t marry into the Westvale family, let alone you. At best, Evander will just sleep with you!”Evander: “...”Another one bold enough to want to sleep with him?Just as Evander entered carrying his daughter, he heard that voice. His steps
That’s not what Evander expected at all.Then he noticed something: the post had been shared by Droplets before the fake one started trending.That made things clear—Droplets had posted the truth to defend his family, but Chloe used PR tricks to spin it and make herself look good.Evander gave a tiny smile and liked the real post.He scrolled through the comments:Comments:[She’s acting like the victim, but the receipts don’t lie!][This woman is faker than fake. The Westvale family’s unlucky dealing with her.][She’s not even that rich. Diego’s still a Westvale, even if adopted.][At least Diego is honest. Chloe’s a liar.][Does she really think she can marry Evander? Dream on.][That kissing photo
As the realization sank in, everyone began exchanging bewildered glances. The once noisy and whisper-filled ballroom suddenly went silent. Even the air seemed to freeze. All eyes locked onto Esther, wide with disbelief.Was this… beauty conquering the beast?The untouchable god of wealth… falling for a mortal woman?This was a noblewoman’s ball after all. Though a few select journalists had been invited, they were all connected to the upper circle—feeding exclusively off elite gossip. No way would they dare offend the young heirs and heiresses of high society. So when the reports came out…They praised who needed praising. Criticized no one. And when the party ended, Judy and Esther were instantly trending on social media.For the first time, the phrase “breathtaking beauty” entered the public’s consciousness—associated with Esther.At that moment, Evander had just dropped Esther off outside the apa