Julian's footsteps felt heavy as he stepped onto the gleaming marble floor of Ambrosia Restaurant. He could feel the sharp gaze of the doorman, a look that seemed to scan his price tag and deem him worthless junk. His white shirt, carefully ironed despite its yellowing collar, felt like a suffocating shroud.
"Can I help you, sir? Are you looking for the service entrance?" asked a man in a crisp uniform, his tone impeccably polite yet laced with disdain.
Julian cleared his throat, trying to dislodge the hoarseness. "I have an appointment with Aurora Thorne."
At the mention of the name, the waiter's expression shifted slightly. "Ah, Miss Thorne. She's waiting at the corner table. This way, please."
Julian followed the waiter past rows of mahogany tables. The scent of truffles and expensi
