Chapter 30: Encounter at the Restaurant–1
Chapter 30: Encounter at the Restaurant
(Olivia’s POV)
The Silver Moon Steakhouse buzzed with activity as I entered with my new colleagues from Moonlaw Legal Services. The restaurant’s elegant interior gleamed with polished wood and soft lighting, creating an atmosphere of refined luxury.
Our large group was escorted to a private room, nearly filling it to capacity. I noticed that only the top VIP rooms remained unoccupied, likely reserved for the truly elite of
Riverdale.
“Lawyer Winters, you’re so generous–Silver Moon Steakhouse!” A young female lawyer named Rachel teased with a bright smile as we settled around the large table. “Last time we came here, it was the Alpha treating us during last year’s annual party.”
I maintained a pleasant expression, though I wondered which Alpha she was referring to. Connor? Or perhaps Alexander?
Heather Phillips, the Litigation Department Supervisor, adjusted her sleek bob haircut and laughed lightly. “Lawyer Winters is young and promising. Looks like you’ve made a fortune over the years; there are over twenty of us combined from all departments. Are you going to bleed money tonight?”
Her tone was joking, but I detected something calculated beneath her friendly demeanor. I remembered how quickly she’d hired me, how readily she’d agreed to my
salary requirements.
Gregory Thompson, my office partner, chimed in good–naturedly from across the table. “Lawyer Winters is truly capable.”
His kind eyes crinkled at the corners, seemingly genuine in his compliment. But before I could respond, another voice cut through the pleasant atmosphere.
“Oh, Lawyer Winters, can you really afford this?”
I turned to see Valerie Pierce, a sharp–tongued litigation lawyer with naturally narrowed eyes
that seemed perpetually judgmental. From the moment I’d met her at the office, I’d sensed her hostility.
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< Chapter 30: Encounter at t..
+8 Points >
“Silver Moon is two or three hundred per person–add wine, and tonight’s bill might be
three months of your salary,” she continued with a smirk. “Shouldn’t we switch to
somewhere cheaper, so you don’t have to fake it?”
The table fell silent, colleagues exchanging uncomfortable glances. I kept my
expression neutral, refusing to show any reaction to her obvious baiting.
“No worries, I can afford it,” I replied calmly.
Valerie’s eyes narrowed further. “Wow, so Supervisor Phillips was right, you really raked in money these years. Care to share your money–making tricks with everyone?”
Her sarcasm was thick enough to cut with a knife. I could feel my wolf bristling inside
me, but I maintained my composure.
“What tricks do we have? We’re all lawyers; if you get a big case, you make more, small cases pay less,” I responded evenly. “Actually, I surely don’t make as much as you, Lawyer Pierce. I’ve been working for three years and still can’t afford a decent car. I heard you already bought a property in Riverdale.”
This wasn’t entirely untrue. My salary alone wouldn’t buy a nice car. Of course, I didn’t mention the garage full of luxury vehicles from my father, my cousin Alexander, and Connor’s recent gift of the glacier blue Bentley Continental GT I now drove.
Valerie’s expression shifted to one of even deeper contempt. She clearly thought I was a low–ranking wolf pretending to be wealthy, when in reality, I was simply being modest about my actual status as the Winters Pack heiress.
“Let’s order, everyone pick what you like,” I suggested, smoothly changing the subject.
Valerie quickly grabbed the menu but made a show of passing it to Heather first. “Supervisor Phillips, you go ahead.”
Heather smiled, her eyes briefly meeting Valerie’s in what seemed like silent communication. She proceeded to order three of the restaurant’s most expensive signature venison dishes, each costing hundreds.
“And let’s add the chef’s special moonlight wine,” she added with a smile in my
direction.
Valerie followed suit, ordering two more pricey dishes and another bottle of premium wine. Others around the table began ordering lavishly as well, clearly taking
こ
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advantage of the situation.
+8 Points>
I felt a gentle tug on my sleeve and turned to find Jade Mitchell, the shy new intern,
looking distressed. Her face was flushed as she leaned close to whisper, “Lawyer
Winters…….I can’t afford to split this meal. It’s too expensive.”
The poor girl assumed this would be a split bill. Given her entry–level salary, her share
would likely consume her entire month’s pay.
I gently patted her hand, offering a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, I’m treating
everyone tonight. You won’t pay a cent.”
Her eyes widened, cheeks reddening further. “Really? Thank you so much, Lawyer
Winters.”
By the time everyone had ordered, the bill would clearly be astronomical. Ten people, thousands in food, over three thousand more in drinks–far beyond normal spending
for a welcome dinner.
I glanced at the running tally and smiled faintly. This was obviously a ploy to fleece me as the newcomer. But with my bank card restored by my father Richard Winters, this amount was insignificant. I decided to treat it as a fee to smooth workplace
relations.
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