Chapter 8 Prestige over Wealth

• The waiter sighed as if he had been expecting trouble. He stepped back and introduced, "This is our manager."
• Howard's eyes grew wide as he took in the manager's immaculate outfit. He roared, "Is this how your hotel does business? This is daylight robbery! Fifteen thousand dollars per person?"
• "Do you even know who I am? My cousin is Lawrence!"
• The manager remained calm. He spoke evenly, "I'm sorry, sir, but the food only costs a few thousand dollars. However, the two bottles of wine you ordered are Eaton XIII, a premium liquor from Falencia. Each bottle is priced at about 121 thousand dollars. With two bottles, 242 thousand dollars. Adding the meal, the total comes to just over 270 thousand dollars. But, since Mr. Davidson is your friend, we've rounded down the bill for you."
• Howard's face turned red with anger. He grabbed the manager's shirt and yelled, "You have wine costing over 120 thousand dollars? Who in their right mind orders something so pricey? Do you think I won't call the police?"
• The manager stayed composed. He gently pushed Howard's hand away.
• He had seen many people trying to act important, but this was his first time dealing with someone who lacked the means but wanted to appear significant.
• The manager took a deep breath and said, "Let me clarify a few things. First, you requested the best wine, and we provided it. Second, our staff tried to alert you about the prices before serving, but you ignored them. Third, we have surveillance footage to back up our claims. If you wish to call the police, you're welcome to."
• The manager clapped his hands.
• Suddenly, the door to the private room burst open. A group of burly men in tank tops stormed in, their presence intimidating.
• The manager had anticipated trouble when he received the security report earlier, so he had brought backup.
• Howard's face went pale, and sweat dripped from him. He stammered, "Where's your boss? I want to see your boss! This is a scam!"
• "Are you accusing me of running a scam?"
• A young man with a crew cut and wearing a white shirt walked in. He held two stress balls and had a smirk on his face.
• His gold-rimmed glasses and casual demeanor contrasted with the menace in his eyes, making everyone in the room shiver.
• Tigre Wharton, the owner of the Platinum Hotel, was a big name in Wavecrest's underworld. His reputation was powerful, and his hotel was one of his prized possessions.
• Howard had been ready to continue his rant, but now his sweat streamed down his face. Tigre was here! A true heavyweight.
• Earlier, Howard had boasted about his connection Lawrence had with Tigre. But now, he knew Lawrence meant nothing to Tigre.
• Howard was just an ordinary worker. How could he stand up to someone like Tigre?
• When Tigre walked in, the manager's voice was cold, "Sir, you showed off a silver card and flaunted your Audi keys. You don't look like someone who can't pay.
• "You asked for the finest wine and ordered two bottles. Now you want to avoid paying?"
• "No, no! We'll pay! We'll pay!" Howard scrambled, his voice desperate. "Please, we'll settle the bill!"
• He glanced around at his classmates for help. His card had only about 150 thousand dollars, his entire savings. The Audi was on loan. There was no way he could cover nearly 300 thousand dollars alone.
• His classmates, who had flattered him earlier, now turned away. They had heard him brag about wanting the priciest wine. Now he wanted them to pay? No way!
• Seeing the scene, Tigre approached slowly. He tapped Howard's face twice and said, "If you don't have the cash, don't try to show off. Be modest."
• "Yes, yes ... " Howard mumbled.
• Tigre smiled. "I'll cover the bill tonight, but there's one condition ... "
• "Anything, anything!" Howard pleaded, desperate to escape further embarrassment.
• Tigre's smile turned cold. "Let them stay with me tonight."
• He looked at Whitney and then Snow. Whitney's sultry beauty and Snow's innocent charm made them an irresistible pair.
• "Ah ... " Howard was speechless.
• "Is that a no?"
• "I would never ... Tigre, please, enjoy yourself ... " Howard quickly grabbed the keys from the table and fled, unable to meet Whitney's gaze.
• "Howard! You jerk!" Whitney was trembling with anger. She hadn't expected Howard, who had seemed so sophisticated, to be so spineless. The other classmates shrank back, trying to avoid drawing attention to themselves.
• In the room, Oscar alone had a mask of calm. Once, when Oscar was part of the Daltons, he had crossed paths with Tigre.
• Back then, Tigre was just a young street kid with nothing. He had no money and no power. More than once, he had nearly lost his life in the rough city streets. Oscar had seen something in him. He had pulled Tigre from danger and found him a place in the military for training.
• Later, when Tigre was injured and had to leave the service, Oscar had given him some money to start a new life.
• Now, just a few years later, Tigre was a formidable figure in Wavecrest, a name spoken with respect.
• As Tigre scanned the room with his usual intimidating air, his eyes landed on Oscar. His face went from casual to stunned in an instant.