Inheriting Billions: A Dream Come True

Chapter 4

Tiger was taken aback by my response but then he forced a sneer. "It's just a VIP room. Why wouldn't I be able to afford it? Let's go ahead and book it."

He was cornered and couldn't admit he didn't have the money, so he had to grit his teeth and agree. Soon, we entered the VIP room, but everyone looked puzzled. They couldn't understand how someone like me, who struggled to pay tuition, would dare book a 100,000-dollar VIP room.

"Ryan, are you really going to treat us?" Lola kept glancing at me, clearly trying to figure me out. But I could tell she still looked down on me deep inside.

"Of course. Order whatever you want," I replied calmly.

Hearing this, everyone started ordering without hesitation. Tiger, still unconvinced, ordered a bottle of Romanée-Conti worth over eight thousand right in front of me. Little did he know, I followed up by ordering ten more bottles, spending nearly 100 thousand in one go.

Tiger's face darkened instantly. He knew he didn't have enough money to pay the bill.

"What's wrong, Mr. Woods? Feeling the pinch?" I asked quietly.

"Heh, it's just a few bottles of wine. Why would I care? It's nothing," Tiger forced a smile and started fiddling with his phone, probably trying to borrow money.

Soon, the dishes were served.

Tiger seemed to have borrowed some money and was smirking at me, as if anticipating my downfall.

An hour later, everyone had eaten their fill. They were all worried I wouldn't be able to pay the bill.

At that moment, more than ten dishes were brought into our room, including Baked Lobster with Cheese, Pan-Seared Foie Gras, Russian Black Caviar, Beef Wellington, and various salads and soups. But I knew I hadn't ordered these.

Tiger noticed too and asked the server, pointing to a dish, "Are you sure you didn't serve the wrong table? I don't remember ordering this French Beef Bourguignon."

The server checked the menu and respectfully said, "There's no mistake. These are signature dishes from our chef, reserved for VIP guests. They're complimentary."

"VIP treatment? Complimentary?" Tiger was even more puzzled. "Are you sure you didn't get the wrong person?"

"Is there Mr. W?"

"I'm Mr. W," Tiger nodded.

"There's no mistake. Our boss specifically prepared these for a very important gentleman and will personally come to toast him."

"Toast me?" Tiger asked, confused.

"Yes, our boss said it's a great honor to have such an esteemed gentleman dine here, so we must treat you well."

"I see," Tiger said.

"Is there anything else you need, sir? Just let us know," the server said with a bow before leaving.

After the server left, the room erupted in chatter. Everyone was amazed by Tiger. "Wow, Tiger, you actually know the owner of this Michelin three-star restaurant?"

"He doesn’t just know him, and the owner is even going to personally toast him. They must really respect him."

"You're incredible, Tiger," Lola said flirtatiously, clinging to his arm.

But Tiger was honest, "Actually, I don't know the owner here."

"Come on, Tiger, don't joke. If it's not you, then who could it be? Ryan?" Lola said, making everyone laugh.

"No way. How could it be Ryan? He doesn't even deserve to shine the owner's shoes."

"Tiger, maybe you know the owner, but you just forgot. Rich people like you are always busy," another student suggested.

I almost laughed out loud, but Tiger took it seriously and went along with their flattery. "Well, actually, I do know the owner. I was just joking earlier. My father always taught me to be low-key."

"Tiger, you're so humble," Lola cooed, giving him a flirtatious look.

I watched their pathetic performance with amusement. I knew the gentleman the server mentioned wasn't Tiger; it was me. But it made me wonder why Lynn, the owner of this Michelin three-star restaurant, would also work at a bank.

After thinking it over, I guessed that she was looking for opportunities, not a salary. Opportunities to meet truly wealthy people. This Michelin three-star restaurant might make a lot of money, but it was still far from the level of true wealth. 

Blossom Bank, on the other hand, served the real elites. Meeting one of them could instantly elevate her and her family's social status. That was probably why she wanted to get close to me.

Just then, Wayne pulled me aside. "Ryan, this meal will cost at least 100,000 dollars. You shouldn't show off like this," he said, sighing and pressing some cash into my hand. "Here, take this."

I looked at the cash. It was a mix of large and small bills, probably all his savings.

"Buddy, what are you doing?" I asked, puzzled.

"Just trying to help. It's better than having nothing. Ryan, listen to me. If you really can't pay, just apologize to Tiger. We're poor, so it's okay to lose face."

"I appreciate it, but I really have the money. And soon, I'll make you a billionaire too," I said sincerely.

"A billionaire?" Wayne laughed. "I think that incident with Lina made you lose your mind. Let's just go back and eat."

As we walked back, I saw a familiar figure enter the private room ahead of us. It was Lynn.

"You go ahead. I need to use the restroom," I told Wayne. Then I went to a nearby bank and withdrew 300,000 dollars. Tonight, I'd make Tiger kneel.

***

Meanwhile, in the private room, Lynn looked around but didn't see me. "Where is he? Why isn't he here?" She asked.

The server quickly pointed to Tiger. "Boss, this is the gentleman."

Tiger stood up and smiled. "Hello, boss. I'm Tiger. Thanks for the hospitality. The food is great."

"You? You ate all this?" Lynn looked at the messy table, then at Tiger, her face darkening. She wanted to please Ryan, but these idiots had eaten all the food.

"Yes, it’s me," Tiger said confidently.

Lynn exploded. She slapped Tiger hard. "Who do you think you are, pretending to be my esteemed guest?!"

The slap was so loud it shocked everyone in the room. Tiger was stunned. "Why did you hit me?"

"You're still lying?!" Lynn grabbed a bottle and smashed it over Tiger's head. Blood splattered everywhere, terrifying everyone. Tiger clutched his head and screamed in pain.

Ignoring him, Lynn took the bill from the server. "Your total tonight's 130,000 dollars. Plus the 170,000 dollars worth of dishes I gave, it's exactly 300,000 dollars. Who's paying?"

"Otherwise, none of you are leaving."

With Ryan absent, Lynn didn't believe a bunch of students could pay a 300,000-dollar bill.