Lance lowered his head and averted his gaze as guilt gripped him.
However, Leila then unapologetically lifted her head.
"Who dared to accuse me of snatching someone else's job? I've worked hard for my position. As for my relationship with Lance, it's because someone lacks what it takes to charm and keep a lover. Otherwise, why would Lance become weary and end up with me?"
"Shame on you!"
Eloisa was tempted to slap Leila hard after hearing her.
However, Victoria quickly intervened and prevented Eloisa from doing so.
"What? You want to hit me just because you've got nothing left to say?"
Leila then stood up with a smug expression on her alluring face and said, "Eloisa, Victoria, listen up. I am taking your seats. What can you and your poor little friend do about it?"
Before Leila could finish her sentence, a middle-aged man dressed formally walked over to them.
The man completely disregarded Victoria and Eloisa as he headed toward Lance and Leila. With a polite bow and nod, he said, "Mr. Hadley, Ms. Collins, it was only after hearing the commotion that I became aware of your esteemed presence. Please accept my apologies for any rudeness on my part."
Lance remained silent as his gaze fixed on Victoria's delicate and beautiful face.
"William, you came just in time. Lance and I have our eyes on this table. Please ask the person who reserved it to make room for us."
"Well, I can't..."
William hesitated with a troubled expression on his face.
Based on the company's regulations, William knew that was against the rules.
Nevertheless, Lance was an important client of the restaurant, and Leila's infamously spoiled behavior also posed a challenge.
Since Leila happened to be Lance's girlfriend, any offense caused to Leila would undoubtedly result in losing this crucial client.
"William, you know that Lance and I are regular customers who come to dine here every week. Our total spending at this establishment has already exceeded six figures. Are you seriously unwilling to grant us this little favor?"
Leila was well aware of William's thoughts and cunningly applied pressure.
"Oh, no, no! Ms. Collins, do take your seats. I hope you have a delightful dining experience." William smoothly reassured Leila with a forced smile.
Leila then wore a victorious smile on her face after hearing William.
William then shifted his gaze to Victoria with a condescending look. "I apologize, but this table is already occupied. Please choose a different one."
"Why do I have to?"
Before, Victoria had no interest in getting entangled with Leila, but at that moment, Victoria's stubborn pride compelled her to protect her dignity.
A mischievous smile appeared on Victoria's lips as she confidently declared, "Eloisa and I reserved this table over two hours ago. It seems you're underestimating us, but we have our rights and won't compromise."
Eloisa stood resolutely beside Victoria as she declared, "I refuse to be a pawn in your game of pleasing that despicable couple. Victoria, let's take our seats."
Eloisa grabbed Victoria's arm and guided her to their seats.
William realized his soft approach was futile, so he resorted to a more forceful approach. "Security, evict them from the premises," he firmly commanded.
Within seconds, four security guards swiftly approached. They grabbed Victoria and Eloisa by their arms and forcibly dragged them toward the exit.
Puzzled gazes from the customers fell upon them.
Leila then taunted Victoria by making a triumphant gesture.
"Stop it."
The sudden voice enveloped the surroundings, akin to a cool breeze that flowed down from a lofty snowy peak, carrying an ethereal and majestic presence.
In an instant, the lively restaurant hushed into silence, and everyone instinctively turned their heads toward the source of the voice.
Victoria was also included.
As Victoria raised her eyes, she caught a glimpse of Edmund.
Edmund stood apart from the crowd, his presence and tall figure radiating a confident and commanding aura.
Despite seeing Edmund's true face numerous times, Victoria still experienced a surreal sensation whenever she looked at him, like an otherworldly being had descended upon them.
However, Edmund did not come alone.
Xenia nestled in the crook of Edmund's right arm, resembling a clingy little bird.
Victoria had decided to play the role of Edmund's fake spouse.
So why did Victoria feel intense sadness and jealousy whenever she saw Edmund with other women?
As they felt the overwhelming aura emanating from Edmund, people instinctively made way for him.
"Oh, it's you, Mr. Hahn. Please forgive me for the lack of a proper greeting."
As Edmund approached him, William's legs trembled nervously.
Victoria could not help but glance at Edmund once again.
Victoria then wondered, "Did William refer to Edmund as Mr. Hahn? Could it be that Edmund is the president of this establishment?"
Edmund was undoubtedly the behind-the-scenes president of this restaurant.
However, Edmund, with his billions of dollars in assets, considered this restaurant expendable. Moreover, he had registered under the alias "Edwin," so he would rarely visit throughout the year.
Unexpectedly, Edmund showed up today.
Edmund then approached them.
Edmund paid no attention to William. Instead, his gaze casually glanced over Victoria's face.
"Release her."
The security guards hurriedly released their grip.
"What's going on?"
Edmund's voice carried a detached but innate sense of nobility.
William hurriedly approached and explained, "Well, Mr. Hahn, it's like this. Mr. Hadley and..."
"Shut your mouth."
Edmund coldly stated, then looked toward Henry Tandy nearby and demanded, "You talk."
Henry was surprised by the unexpected favor.
Henry did not dare to lie and quickly recounted the incident between Victoria and Leila concisely and truthfully.
After Henry finished speaking, Edmund's perfectly chiseled face remained expressionless, except his gaze again fixed on Victoria's face.
Victoria also had her eyes fixed on Edmund.
Unintentionally, both Victoria's and Edmund's eyes locked.
Victoria instantly felt a jolt and quickly averted her gaze as her heart pounded wildly.
The sensation felt as intense as the moment Victoria kissed Edmund last night.
"Edwin, this is my sister Leila Collins, and the person sitting beside her is her fiancé Lance Hadley. I've mentioned them to you before, and I was thinking of arranging a time for you to meet them over a meal. What a coincidence that it's happening today."
Xenia's voice sounded forced and exaggerated as if it were dripping with insincerity.
Edmund frowned and muttered, "I still have official matters to attend to; let's not talk about personal matters."
"So, when you say 'official matters,' you're referring to the incident where my sisters were fighting over a seat, Edwin?"
With meticulous thinking, Xenia swiftly responded, "Although Victoria is our elder sister, she never willingly compromises. Leila usually avoids confrontations with her, but today she must have reached her breaking point with Victoria's bossy attitude. That's why she decided to challenge Victoria for the seat today. Edwin, let's not get involved in this matter, okay?"
Edmund did not react at all to Xenia's words.
As his eyes still maintained an unwavering gaze on Victoria.
"What exactly does that mean?"
In that instant, Victoria raised her head and fearlessly met Edmund's gaze.
"The assistant supervisor has already made it perfectly clear. This seat is reserved for me and Eloisa. We refused to let anyone else have it. Even if you have the security to kick us out, we won't go down without a fight."
Nothing mattered anymore! At that moment, Victoria's sole focus was to stand her ground!
A peculiar glimmer passed through Edmund's icy eyes, invisible to ordinary people. "In that case, handle this matter, supervisor."
"Yes, president," William said as he quickly stepped up. "Security, what are you waiting for? I have already given this table to Mr. Hahn's sister and brother-in-law. Please escort these two women."
"Shut it!"
Edmund's voice turned cold as he interrupted William, saying, "I assigned the supervisor to deal with this matter; you don't have the right to speak."
William's greasy face turned ashen as he confusedly asked, "President, I don't get it. What are you trying to say?"