The atmosphere was quite awkward.
Lisa put away her phone with a troubled expression, watching as the waiter respectfully returned the supreme card. No one knew what she was thinking.
But it was clear that her cheeks were burning red. She wanted to humiliate Darnell, but instead, she was the one who made a fool of herself. She didn’t know how to resolve the situation.
Everyone else’s smiles froze. The supreme card felt like a thorn, pricking them.
Regardless of whether Darnell was a salesman or a security guard, at this moment, he was superior to them.
“Wow, you’re pretty rich,” Karlee said as she approached and picked up the supreme card with a smile. “Even I don’t have this card. Is it from your company?”
Hearing this, Lisa snapped out of her daze and slapped her thigh, making a new judgment-Darnell must be an outstanding salesman or have good connections with the company’s higher-ups, so they rewarded him with a supreme card to help attract clients. It must be like that!
Shawn and the others nodded in agreement, thinking along the same lines as Lisa. Their frustration towards Darnell was now voiced out loud.
Unlike Lisa and the others’ arrogance, Jefferson had a meaningful look in his eyes. He had some understanding of Vantage.
Even his influential parents had to show respect to the club owner. How could the club possibly give a supreme card that symbolizes status and identity to a company, only for that company to pass it on to an ordinary salesman?
Even if Darnell wasn’t a big shot himself, he must have powerful backing. As he realized it, Jefferson’s hostility towards Darnell diminished significantly.
At this moment, Karlee was running her fingers over the card. “I didn’t expect your company to treat you so well.”
Darnell snatched back the supreme card. This card was precious. It offered free meals and drinks. He didn’t want to lose it. “Of course, I’m the director of the sales department!”
Lisa couldn’t help but sneer, “Using company stuff to show off. How vain.”
Then Darnell remembered something and rushed over to Lisa, grabbing her VIP gold card. “You said earlier that if I showed any card, even an ordinary one, you’d give me this gold card. Now it’s mine.”
“Waiter, please change the information on this card.” He happily called out to two waiters. “There will be a big reward later.”
Lisa’s face darkened. Losing her membership card just like that made her unwilling but too embarrassed to go back on her word.
“Darnell, Lisa is my good friend. She was joking with you earlier,” Karlee quickly reached out and took the gold card from Darnell’s hand. “Besides, you have the highest-level supreme card. Why do you need this gold card?”
As soon as she said that, Karlee realized she had misspoken. However, Darnell just slapped his forehead and repeated what she said. “Yeah, I have a supreme card. Why do I need a gold card? Forget it. I’ll give it back to her.”
These words seemed fine on the surface but were actually quite insulting, clearly implying that Lisa’s card was worthless.
Lisa jumped up angrily and threw the card at the waiter. “Change the information on this card for him. I’m going to the restroom.”
After saying that, she grabbed her handbag and stormed out to the restroom.
After Lisa went to the restroom, Karlee noticed the atmosphere in the room was tense, so she picked up her wine glass and called out with a smile. “Everyone, don’t just sit there. We’re here for fun. Sing if you want to sing, dance if you want to dance, and drink if you want to drink. Don’t be awkward because of what just happened. We’re all friends here.”
“Right, right, let’s get back into it.” Jefferson clapped his hands and encouraged Shawn and the others to forget their displeasure and start having fun again. “We’ve always stood united against outsiders. Infighting will only make Frank and Rachael laugh at us.”
With their words, the atmosphere became lively again. Jefferson held a glass of wine and stood beside Karlee with a smile. Watching Darnell rush off to eat lobster in the dining area made him smirk. “Karlee, do your parents know about your boyfriend?”
“We just started dating. They don’t know yet,” Karlee replied with a happy smile on her face. “But they’ll find out sooner or later.”
Jefferson chuckled, “Looks like you still have many hurdles ahead.”
Many people in their circle didn’t know Karlee’s true background. They thought she was merely the daughter of a logistics mogul with eight thousand employees-beautiful, wealthy, and doted on by her parents.
But Jefferson knew Karlee’s true background. Even his family couldn’t match up to her family. He doubted that Darnell and her relationship could last.
Karlee understood Jefferson’s meaning and smiled nonchalantly, “We’ll see when they find out.”
Thinking about her formidable father made Karlee feel more dejected.
Jefferson added with a smile, “Didn’t you always consider Marc your ideal man? Giving up on him so soon? He’s coming to Whiteville next month.”
Karlee exclaimed and slapped her forehead, “Oh, right! How could I forget my idol… I should stay loyal! How did I end up liking Darnell? Maybe he cast some spell on me… No, he must have confused me with his antics.”
“Jefferson, is there any way for me to break up with him peacefully without hurting him?”
Seeing Karlee’s infatuation with Marc left Jefferson speechless. He felt sympathy for Darnell…
A few drinks later brought out high-spirited conversations among these proud men and women while Darnell ignored them completely, enjoying his meal alone.
His presence meant nothing to them. No one paid attention except for two respectful waiters serving him diligently.
Unlike Lisa’s group who underestimated him, the waiters understood what having a supreme card meant. The manager had informed them that those who possessed this card were incredibly esteemed individuals, and even a slight negligence towards the cardholder could lead to dire consequences.
Darnell devoured exquisite dishes like a whirlwind before pouring himself hot tea, glancing at Karlee surrounded by friends, and then leisurely walked outside for fresh air.
For the past half hour, Lisa had been quietly observing Darnell. He was indulging himself in food, and aside from responding to Karlee, he displayed no signs of arrogance or commanding presence.
His behavior resembled that of someone who had been trampled by a harsh life for too long, exhibiting a numbness and endurance born from hardship.
Lisa made her judgment again. “Just a loser.”
Then she took out her phone, urging her brother Alexander Chavez, who had yet to show up.
Darnell didn’t hear Lisa’s insults, but even if he had, he wouldn’t have cared. He was simply enjoying the fresh air. But in the next moment, his eyes narrowed.
He spotted a group of familiar faces slowly pushing open the door to the adjacent private room and quietly slipping inside, the door closing behind them.
It was Cierra.
Darnell muttered to himself, “What is she doing here?”
Then he caught sight of the young man with long eyes and his crew, who had earlier fought him for a parking spot. All the women in their group had headed to another private room, while the young man and his companions entered the room that Cierra had just walked into.
Before Darnell could pull his gaze away from them, a few foreign figures appeared in the hallway, similarly indifferent as they walked into the room that Cierra had just walked into.
Darnell could tell that these foreigners were not to be trifled with. They exuded an aura of menace, the kind that suggested they had taken many lives before.
Darnell slightly squinted, “Tonight is truly lively.”