Chapter 18 A Toast to You

• Dressed in haute couture, Gigi stood behind Jean with a few women in similar clothing.
• She looked astonished as if she had seen something that shouldn't be there.
• Jean wasn't expecting to see her there.
• Other than her frenemies, Gigi was accompanied by an unexpected person.
• He was Edgar's friend, Nathan Knox.
• In her two years of marriage with Edgar, Jean only met him a few times. As a result, she wasn't familiar with him.
• Nathan frowned as he looked at Jean in her slip-dress. He hesitated.
• "Jean, are you… working here?"
• He spoke carefully, but Jean felt a piercing pain in her heart.
• It was true that Jean Eyer of the Eyer Group had lost her position and ended up in such a place.
• And who should I thank for this?
• Jean kept quiet. Nathan took her silence as a yes. His heart sank as he stepped between her and the man.
• "Does Edgar know that you're here?"
• "Mr. Knox, I'm no longer married to him. Am I supposed to report my daily routine to my ex-husband?"
• Nathan paused. Their divorce was the gossip of the day. Naturally, he would have heard of it.
• Before he could say another word, Gigi interjected.
• "Jean, you shouldn't work here even though you need money. How much do you need? I can lend it to you. If you work in this type of place…"
• "Ms. Reece, we do not condone unscrupulous business here. What do you mean by 'this type of place'?"
• The manager interrupted.
• If Jean quit her job, the manager would be in trouble for spreading the word that she was working there. 
• Jean laughed.
• "Enough with the pretense. I'm only here because you recommended it to me in the first place, Ms. Reece."
• Gigi didn't expect Jean to reveal the fact. Her face darkened.
• Gigi's friends exchanged looks.
• "Alright then. Since Ms. Eyer is working here, shall we call for her service?"
• Mr. Wilson wouldn't let the opportunity go.
• "Madam Lylah, isn't it first come, first served? You know what's the reasonable thing to do here."
• "Mr. Wilson, we know that you should be served first. We aren't thinking of taking Cindy away from you. What if we call for her service together?"
• An unreadable expression flitted across the women's faces.
• Mr. Wilson paused before grinning from ear to ear. He was delighted at the suggestion. 
• "Of course! No wonder you are all Ms. Reece's friends! Very well, I agree!"
• The manager was used to all types of people but didn't expect them to treat Jean that way. She looked at Jean, pitying her.
• Jean knew that they were humiliating her.
• "Are you all crazy? Don't regret it when things turn out badly!" Nathan choked on his words. "Jean, you've let Edgar down…"
• Infuriated, he looked at her and left.
• Gigi watched as Nathan left the place. She had achieved her aim—to make everyone surrounding Edgar look down on her!
• She dropped her caring act and looked at Jean with contempt.
• "Cindy, isn't it great to have two wages at a time? Take your time and think about it. Oh, maybe you can't. Customers are king. Am I right, Mr. Wilson?"
• Mr. Wilson laughed out loud. He eyed Jean, eager to start.
• "Ms. Reece, you have a good head on your shoulders! You're completely right! Come, Cindy, chat with us." He reached out his hand toward Jean. 
• "Mr. Wilson, be patient. Should we get Cindy to drink a toast to you first?"
• Gigi stopped him with her hand. Her words seemed to be hinting at something.
• He was bewildered but quickly responded.
• "You're right, Cindy owes me a glass!"
• Jean laughed inwardly at the scene.
• It was obvious to her what they were thinking. She was aware of how much Gigi wanted to embarrass her.
• In that case, she would grant their wish.
• She rose to her feet, struggling with her weak legs. She walked slowly but surely toward the man.
• All at the scene watched in amazement.
• "Mr. Wilson, let me raise a toast to you." 
• She raised the glass of champagne in her hand and clinked it against his glass.
• Astonished, Mr. Wilson looked at her.
• Jean ignored him, not waiting for him to recover.
• "And Ms. Reece, I would like to thank you for recommending this place to me."
• She poured the yellow-gold liquor over Gigi's head.