Ford returned to the private room, leaned over, and whispered a few words to Conrad, which seemed to calm him down a bit.
“Order the food,” Conrad finally said.
Everyone felt like they’d been granted a reprieve. Even though he hadn’t done much, his silent glare kept them all on edge, so they quickly ordered without a second thought.
“Professor Jack, I heard you brought along some promising students,” Conrad suddenly commented.
Jack carefully chose his words. “Thank you, Mr. Conrad. My students are hardworking.”
“There’s always a few, though, who just don’t listen, no matter what you do,” Conrad remarked.
Evelyn immediately jumped in. “Don’t worry, Conrad, I’ll study hard under Professor Jack and make sure I don’t embarrass you.”
Her classmates were speechless. Does she even know the level of students Professor Jack works with?
Fortunately, the mood had lightened. Just as everyone thought they could finish up and make a quick exit, the waiter came in with the dishes. Everything seemed fine until a steaming hot dish of fish head in oil got “accidentally” dumped over Janet’s head.
“Ouch!” Janet let out a high-pitched scream.
“Quick, run cold water over it!” someone shouted.
Conrad chuckled, looking around. “What? You’re here to eat, right? So why aren’t you eating?”
Was he… stopping them from helping Janet?
These were all students-they hadn’t reached the level of hating someone enough to watch them suffer. A few were already tearing up in fear, and some were even thinking about calling the police, only to be held back by the others.
“What good will it do? Even the biggest names in City N have to show respect to Conrad,” someone whispered.
Evelyn looked nervously at the struggling Janet, her face twitching. “Conrad… please, help Janet. Let someone call an ambulance!”
But Conrad replied calmly, “Didn’t you say you were hungry? Eat.”
Janet was writhing in pain, crying out as she rolled on the floor, her hair stuck to her scalp from the oil. A few people couldn’t handle it and started dry-heaving.
“What are you all standing around for? Get her out of here for medical help already!” Ford took one look at Conrad’s expression and ordered someone to drag Janet out.
Someone couldn’t help asking, “Miss Evelyn, aren’t you going to check on her? She’s your best friend.”
Evelyn wished she wasn’t even there and pressed her lips together. “The doctors will handle it. I only listen to Conrad.” Janet had brought this on herself, making Conrad angry. Lillian was favored because she knew how to behave, unlike Janet, who was always causing trouble. Without her around, Janet would never have gotten a taste of the high life. Everything she gave her was already more than enough to keep Janet happy.
When Gordon parked out front and got out with Lillian, the valet quickly drove the car away.
“You’re coming up with me?” Lillian asked in surprise.
Gordon raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, I haven’t eaten yet. I’ll grab a bite.”
Lillian just sighed. Does he really need a free meal that badly?
Just as they were about to head in, an ambulance pulled up. The hotel didn’t want Janet going out the front entrance to avoid drawing attention, so the medics took her through the side door. But even from a distance, Lillian could recognize her clothes. How’d she end up hurt?
“What are you staring at?” Gordon asked, noticing she had stopped.
“Nothing…”
Once they reached the second floor, Lillian saw the hallway lined with men in black suits. Conrad always traveled with this kind of entourage, so it was nothing new to her. Whenever he went out, they’d clear the surrounding private rooms to avoid anyone accidentally crossing paths with him.
Wherever Andrew was, that’s where Conrad would be.
Without asking, Lillian headed straight for the private room door, and Andrew opened it immediately.
Conrad was seated at the head of the table, his eyes fixed on her and, now, on Gordon by her side. A scornful smirk crossed his face.
Jack called out, “You’re here! Sit down; we’ve been waiting for you.”
Janet’s spot was now free, but the other classmates would rather squeeze together than sit near Conrad or Evelyn.
Evelyn hadn’t expected Gordon to show up with Lillian, so she quickly flashed a sweet smile and pulled out the chair beside her. “Mr. Gordon, sit here!”
“Did I say they could sit?” Conrad suddenly cut in, stopping Lillian in her tracks.
Lillian pressed her lips together slightly. Apparently, Janet’s little stunt with the hot coffee wasn’t enough for Mr. Conrad to let this go. Well, he had to save face for his new girlfriend, and Lillian, his “kept” woman, had dared to defy him. Of course, a vengeful man like Conrad wouldn’t just let that slide.
Ignoring the tension, Gordon pulled out a chair and sat down anyway. “What’s the deal? I can’t even eat one meal here? Haven’t seen you for a few days, and you’re already stingier than ever?”
Gordon shot a playful look at Evelyn. “Better think twice about sticking with him. From what I hear, no one’s come out lucky after being with him. Still time to pick a new guy.”
Evelyn, protective as ever, retorted, “Come on, Mr. Gordon, don’t joke around. Conrad isn’t like that. He’s just got reasons to be unhappy with some people.”
“Oh, got yourself a spokesperson now? Since when do you need a kept woman to speak on your behalf?” Gordon’s expression suddenly turned sharp, throwing down the challenge.
It was as if he were purposely trying to provoke Conrad, and the tension in the room thickened once again.
Gordon pulled out the chair next to him and firmly pushed Lillian down into it. “What are you scared of? If he’s not paying, I am. It’s just a meal-don’t tell me I can’t afford that.”
Evelyn pouted. “Conrad, I didn’t mean it like that, I wasn’t-”
But Conrad didn’t let her finish. He looked over at Gordon, his tone cold. “Changed your taste, huh? Weren’t you into some foreign girl a while back?”
Gordon shrugged. “Beautiful women are beautiful women. Doesn’t really count as a change in taste, does it? But you… seems like each one you pick is worse than the last.”
Evelyn’s expression changed. Most people here didn’t know the dynamics between the three of them, but Gordon was from Conrad’s circle, so he definitely knew. That was basically him saying she didn’t measure up to Lillian right in front of Conrad.
Evelyn glared at Lillian. This two-timing woman… stringing Conrad along here and Gordon there. How on earth did someone so cheap get these men chasing after her?
“Alright, let’s eat already. I’m starving; enough with the questions,” Gordon said casually, shutting down Evelyn before she could even react.
Everyone took that as a cue to start eating, eager to finish up and get out as quickly as possible.
“You think I said you could eat?” Conrad’s voice cut through, eyes on her hand, bandaged up like a mummy.
“Yeah, what’s with doing everything yourself? Didn’t the doctor say you shouldn’t be touching water? I’ll do it!” Gordon started picking out dishes for Lillian, almost feeding her himself.
“He just likes to look scary, but I’m not afraid of him,” Gordon grinned, holding out food to Lillian. “Here, eat up-ignore him.”
The atmosphere between them felt tense yet flirtatious, setting off everyone’s gossip radar.
“Lillian, so you were with Mr. Gordon all afternoon?” someone asked, daring to speak up.
Gordon-the nationwide heartthrob, famous racecar driver, handsome, and from a well-off family. Best of all, he didn’t have the constant scowl that made Conrad so unapproachable.
“Hey, you’re spilling all my secrets! What if she gets upset and doesn’t go out with me again?” Gordon said, feigning helplessness.
“Mr. Gordon, are you saying… you’re actually pursuing Lillian?”
Crash! A plate shattered on the floor beside Evelyn.
Everyone’s gaze immediately shifted to Conrad.
Evelyn forced a smile. “Sorry, I was clumsy.”
In a corner no one noticed, Evelyn saw it clearly-the glass shards embedded in Conrad’s palm, from when he crushed it with his hand.
Lillian wasn’t interested in drawing more attention to herself. “I’m going to the bathroom,” she muttered and slipped out.
She stayed in the restroom for a while before coming out of the stall, only to find Evelyn already waiting for her.