Crown of Fortune

Chapter 8 Don't Make Me Flex

The voice set his teeth on edge like screeching metal.

Looking up, Alaric saw a jowly, pot-bellied man with a mocking smirk that didn't reach his cold eyes. Since when is my personal life your business? he thought. We're not even acquaintances.

Alaric pressed his lips into a thin line, turning to leave without acknowledgment.

But the obnoxious lout blocked his path, dripping saccharine concern through his sneer. "Too important to respond? Heard your startup flopped. Must feel real proud mooching off Ms. Kingsley—a grown man playing househusband."

His expression darkened like a brewing storm. This was Neri—that creep who'd previously harassed Jade before Alaric left him whimpering with a broken nose.

Now that Alaric wore a delivery uniform instead of suits, the hyena saw his chance for revenge.

Jade's colleagues watched with barely concealed contempt, their designer sleeves muffling snickers. They remembered the rising entrepreneur; now they saw only a down-on-his-luck courier.

Jade's fingers twitched at her sides as she muttered, "Just go home, Alaric."

Neri's smirk widened at her dismissal, while the others exchanged knowing glances. Even his wife couldn't hide her embarrassment.

Alaric pivoted sharply, but Neri seized his elbow with false cheer. "Stay! Your wife's celebrating her million-dollar deal—enough to cover a decade of you pedaling takeout containers. Shouldn't you toast her success?"

The million-dollar deal—the one he'd secretly orchestrated—had gone through.

Why linger where he wasn't wanted, even by the woman who wore his ring?

Jade... Jade, if only you knew I was the one behind your deal—what would you say then?

"No thanks, I need to get to the hospital," Alaric replied coldly.

Zachary, however, wasn’t having it. He dragged Alaric into the restaurant without another word, throwing a fake-friendly arm around his shoulders. "No need to be shy, man. Your wife’s footing the bill anyway—free food’s free food!"

Freeloader putting on airs.

Just like that, the group was herded into the lavish dining hall of Lumière. Though forced inside, Alaric lingered on the fringes, frozen in the corner like some discarded stage prop. Meanwhile, Jade stood surrounded by her colleagues, buzzing with excitement as she recounted how she’d miraculously closed the deal.

"Wait, Ms. Kingsley, you’re saying someone helped you land it?" A sharply dressed woman gasped, feigning awe.

Jade nodded. "Vitalis Pharma’s Mr. Marlowe had been giving me the runaround—you all know how many dinners he’s ‘invited’ me to. But yesterday? Out of nowhere, he took a call, signed the contract on the spot, and even apologized like he meant it."

Her gaze flickered toward Alaric, still rooted in the shadows. A bitter pang twisted her heart—wistfulness, maybe, or just plain disappointment. That foolish hope it might’ve been him surfaced again before she crushed it. Never.

"Wow! Who’s got a crush on our Ms. Kingsley?" the woman shrieked, loud enough to carry. "Pulling strings for a million-dollar deal? Someone’s smitten!"

Look at this deadweight. Your wife’s got admirers throwing fortunes at her, and you’re just standing there like a sack of potatoes.

Amid the chatter, Zachary returned, face pinched. "We’re out of luck. This place requires reservations—members only."

Even he couldn’t believe it. Lumière demanded bookings in advance, and membership? A straight million in annual spending just to qualify. Who even spends that much on dining out?

Jade jumped up, flustered. "What now? Should we go somewhere else?"

She’d promised this dinner, but how was she supposed to know about the reservation rule? It was her first time here—her colleagues had recommended the place.

"What? No way, Mr. Taylor. We walked all this way to get here."

"Come on Mr. Taylor, think of something! I heard Lumiere is amazing."

"If we can't get in, I guess we'll have to go somewhere else."

The group began complaining impatiently, their voices rising in discontent.

Neri found himself in an awkward position. He'd been working so hard just to impress Jade.

But where was he supposed to get a membership card requiring ¥1,000,000 annual spending?

"Let's try The Velvet Table instead. This place requires reservations - nothing I can do," Neri shrugged helplessly.

The loudest voice belonged to Sabrina, Neri's secretary.

As the saying goes: A secretary's duties extend beyond office hours.

Sabrina stepped forward on her long legs, linking arms with Neri as she pleaded sweetly, "Mr. Taylor, this is my first time here! You said you knew the manager - can't you ask him to squeeze us in?"

Hearing this, Jade and the others turned hopeful eyes toward Neri.

Now he was truly trapped.

What manager? That had just been empty boasting during the trip.

"Well...that wouldn't be appropriate. Let's not trouble anyone. I'll treat everyone at The Velvet Table," Neri said quickly.

The Velvet Table was affordable - dinner for seven or eight would barely cost ¥1,000.

This way, Jade might even feel grateful to him.

However, several colleagues looked visibly displeased.

Sabrina shot Jade a disdainful look. "Jade, you promised us Lumiere. This is completely unacceptable."

Why does she get everything? Just because she's pretty? I'm beautiful too! Why don't men notice me?

"Enough! Jade didn't know about the reservation policy. We're going to The Velvet Table," Neri interjected firmly, stepping in to protect Jade's reputation.

Jade quickly bowed in apology. "I'm so sorry, let me treat everyone at The Velvet Table instead. It was supposed to be my treat—no need for Neri to foot the bill."

Her colleagues shot her icy glances before turning away in disgust.

Who could eat now? They were already fuming!

Just as the group stood there sulking, a voice cut through the tension.

"I have a membership card here. Want to use it?"

Alaric spoke up from the corner. He couldn't hold back—seeing his wife belittled like this by her coworkers twisted his gut.

"You have a card?" Neri's voice oozed sarcasm. "Big words won't kill you. Do you even know where we are? LUMIÈRE—their cheapest silver-tier membership requires a million yearly!"

Side-eyes darted between coworkers as smirks spread, sizing him up with disdain.

Jade stiffened, heat rushing to her cheeks. She strode over, grabbed his arm, and hissed, "What are you doing? Go back to the hospital and stay with our daughter."

She was trying to usher him out before he humiliated them both.

He didn't bother explaining. If she didn't want his help, fine.

But Neri wasn't done. His lips curled in a predator's smile. "Now, now, Ms. Kingsley, no need to rush. Since your husband claims he has a membership, let him book us a table."

This clown never knew when to quit his act. Had he not heard the membership requirements?

Perfect. Let him crash and burn. Maybe Jade would finally wake up to his pathetic reality. Then Neri could swoop in.

"Alaric! Stop this nonsense and go home!" Jade's words came out like icicles as she fought her temper.

God, why did he have to pick now of all times? Was this some sick game?

She already wanted to disappear whenever coworkers mentioned her deadbeat husband. Did he really have to throw kerosene on the flames?

She was fuming!

"Jade, I really do have a membership card," Alaric replied coolly.

With that, he pulled a card from his pocket and waved it in front of everyone.

For a brief moment, Neri and the others were stunned—could he actually have one?

But then, doubt twisted Neri’s face into an even more mocking grin.

"Alaric, is this some delivery rider discount card? Trying to fool people with that?" Neri sneered, his voice dripping with condescension.

Alaric simply stared back with the calm look of someone humoring a fool.

That infuriated Neri. How dare this loser act so composed?

Could the card actually be real?

Impossible!

Just then, Stella snatched the card from Alaric’s hand with a haughty smirk. "Well, if Ms. Kingsley’s husband insists it’s a membership card, let’s put it to the test, shall we?"

Without waiting, she swayed her way to the front desk, hips swinging with every click of her heels.

Jade turned on Alaric, eyes blazing. "How could you humiliate me like this!"

Even now, he still had to keep up this ridiculous act?

When the truth came out, the shame would be hers too!

Around them, Neri and the others barely hid their smirks, radiating smug satisfaction.

"Come on! Let’s see if Alaric’s ‘membership’ actually works," Neri taunted, eager for the coming humiliation.

He had a barrage of insults ready for the occasion.

Laughing among themselves, they pushed Alaric and Jade toward the front desk, as if afraid he’d bolt at the last second.