Chapter 139

Chapter 139

A moment later, the manager walked up to Mia with a big smile on his face. "Dear Ms. Wilson, we can refund the money on your card, and as we mentioned, we can also compensate you five hundred thousand dollars. But dining here today — that's something we really can't allow."

Mia clenched her fists. "Why? Why was it fine before but not now?"

The manager didn't hold back. "Because we have a new owner."

Mia stared at him in shock. Seattle Grand Bistro had a new owner? How was that possible? Did the old owner lose their mind? Or did they just hate money? Sure, Seattle Grand Bistro wasn't the fanciest restaurant in Seabrook, but it still pulled in tens of millions — maybe even over a hundred million dollars a year for the owner. Most companies couldn't even dream of that kind of profit. And someone actually sold it?

"Fine. New owner, right? Then I want to meet them." Mia crossed her arms, making it clear she wasn't leaving without her meal.

Seeing her stance, the manager had no choice but to call Fox.

"Boss, Ms. Wilson is here. I passed along your instructions, but she's asking to meet you."

Across town at the Cole Group, Fox set down his phone on the desk and snapped, "Put her on."

The manager handed the phone to Mia and quietly warned, "Ms. Wilson, please watch your tone."

Mia rolled her eyes at him. She grabbed the phone and went straight in. "Tell me what's going on. Why am I being turned away? And who exactly are you? I'm asking you to come here right now and explain this to my face."

Fox let out a cold laugh. "You're Mia, right? Atticus's daughter? Listen up — when I tell you to get lost, you get lost. Keep causing trouble in my restaurant and see if I don't wipe the Wilson family off the map."

Fox's words hit like a hammer.

Mia froze on the spot. Who the hell was this person? Talking like they owned the world?

Just as she was about to push for answers, David's voice came from the elevator. "Ms. Wilson, what are you standing there for? Come on."

Mia glanced at the dead phone and looked up to find David standing right in front of her. "You just came from upstairs?"

David nodded with a smile. "Of course. You didn't actually think you were the only one who could eat here, did you?"

A bold thought suddenly crossed Mia's mind. "Wait — did you buy this place?"

David smiled casually. "Don't worry about that. If you want to come here for dinner in the future, just call me ahead of time and I'll let the manager know."

He turned to the manager and waved him off. "You can get back to work."

The manager nodded right away. "Of course, Mr. Jones. Enjoy your meal."

Mia quickened her pace to catch up. "It was you, wasn't it? And earlier — the manager called some woman and called her boss. Who is she? Do you know what she said to me? She threatened to destroy the Wilson family if I caused any trouble here!"

David had already stepped into the elevator. He caught sight of Michael about to follow them in and, ignoring Mia's question, said with a frown, "Why did you bring him?"

Michael grinned. "We meet again, sir."

He slipped into the elevator before anyone could stop him.

David let out a long, tired sigh.

Mia grabbed David's wrist. "Are you even listening to me? Who was that woman I just spoke to?"

David met her eyes, his expression dead serious. "If she said it, she meant it."

Mia held his gaze. "You know her?"

David just smiled.

Mia gave a slow, heavy nod and laughed coldly. "David, you really went all out, didn't you? Was this actually fun for you? It's just dinner. I can't believe this — you're being so petty. I'm guessing this whole thing — banning me from coming here — was your idea, wasn't it?"

David smiled, looking rather pleased with himself. "What's wrong? Was that not allowed? Ever since you brought me here that one time, you've been holding it over my head every chance you get."

Any appetite Mia had was completely gone. "That's pathetic," she snapped.

David loved seeing that look — the one on Mia's and Scarlett's faces when they were completely fed up. He laughed. "Now you know how it feels when someone has something on you, don't you?"

The elevator doors opened.

And then — something David hadn't expected at all — Conrad was standing right there on the other side.

Their eyes met, and Conrad's filled with instant fury.

Last time, David had nearly beaten him to death. Afterward, his father Pax had shown up at the Perez family home with a crew of bodyguards. If Scarlett hadn't stepped in along the way — and Pax hadn't been forced to respect her — the Perez family might've already been erased from Seabrook. Ever since then, Conrad had been recovering from his injuries while spending every waking hour thinking about how to tear David apart and get his revenge.

And now, of all places, they'd run into each other here.

"Well, look who it is — Conrad. You healed up fast. Must be hungry, coming all the way out here for a meal." David spoke first, grinning as he took a jab.

A cold smile spread across Conrad's face. He glanced back at the two fighters he'd just brought in from Eldoria, then turned his eyes back to David and looked him up and down. "Mr. Jones. Funny running into you here. I was actually planning to pay you a visit this afternoon with these two. Guess we saved ourselves a trip. Since we're here, why don't we find somewhere to sit down and have a little chat?"

Mia knew all too well about the bad blood between David and Conrad. Hearing that, she felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. She'd gone through all this trouble to get David out for a meal, and somehow everything kept going sideways. If she'd known Conrad would show up, she would've just picked a different restaurant. But there was no walking away now.