Filed to story: The Heiress Rises From Ashes Book PDF Free
She then turned to Brenna, feigning sincerity. “Don’t take their words to heart, Brenna. It’s all just a misunderstanding. Let’s move on. I’ll apologize to you on Sylvie and Vivian’s behalf. They didn’t mean any harm. They were just upset for my sake.”
With a subtle nod, she signaled her friends.
Sylvie barely concealed her irritation as she muttered, “Miss Harper, I’m sorry.”
Vivian rolled her eyes. “Yeah. Sorry.”
Then, with an exaggerated sigh, Vivian reached into her designer bag, pulled out a bank card, and slapped it onto the table. “Here. Let me pay for this meal as a peace offering. Just don’t regret joining the Harper family later.”
Brenna’s brow furrowed slightly. Regret? What was that supposed to mean? Was it going to be that difficult living with the Harper family? Then again, considering Rosie was already stirring up trouble for her, she believed the rest of the family might be even more difficult.
Before Brenna could respond, Rosie swiftly grabbed Vivian’s bank card and tucked it back into her bag. “No, she’s my family. I’ve already wronged her today. How could I possibly let you pay? I’ll handle the bill.”
The waitress arrived with the POS machine, and without hesitation, Rosie settled the bill.
“Come on, let’s go home now, Brenna,” she said.
Just then, the restaurant manager arrived. He was a refined-looking middle-aged man. He stepped forward and approached Ethan, saying, “Mr. Mitchell, I sincerely apologize for the lack of proper oversight on our part. We will take immediate action to address this matter. That waitress will be fired.”
The manager of the Flavor Restaurant retrieved a deep red card from the pocket of his tailored jacket and presented it to Brenna with both hands, his posture respectful. “Miss, due to our restaurant’s oversight, we have caused you unnecessary trouble. As a token of our apology, we’d like to offer you this complimentary dining card. With this, you may dine here three times for free, with no limit on the amount. Please, we insist that you accept it.”
Brenna eyed the card for a moment. She had already made up her mind-she wouldn’t be returning here to dine again. The poor service had ruined her experience, and she had no interest in revisiting a place that treated customers so poorly.
Before Brenna could respond, Rosie let out a short laugh and said rather arrogantly, “Brenna, just take it. Do you know how exclusive this place is? Flavor Restaurant isn’t for just anyone. You’ve never been here before, have you? This card will let you indulge like today three more times. What a steal!”
Sensing the mockery in Rosie’s words, Brenna turned to her, a smirk playing on her lips. “You think the service here is good? Personally, I found it rather lacking. I’d prefer a food stall on the street,” she said.
The manager’s expression stiffened, but he maintained his polite demeanor, his hands still outstretched, the card unmoving.
The waitress beside him looked equally tense. The Flavor Restaurant prided itself on its impeccable service, yet she had single-handedly ruined a guest’s experience. If Brenna refused to forgive her, she might very well lose her job.
Panic flashed across the waitress’ face as she suddenly stepped forward and said to Brenna, “Miss, I beg you to accept it. I was wrong to treat you so poorly. Please accept my sincere apology! If you don’t accept this card, I could lose my job. I’m a single mother with a five-year-old son. I have a mortgage and bills to pay. I can’t afford to be fired. Please, forgive me!”
Brenna studied the woman for a moment, her expression unreadable, before turning to the manager. She then reached out and took the card, giving it a slight flick between her fingers.
“Anyone can use this to dine here three times for free?” she asked.
The manager and waitress exhaled in relief as soon as she accepted it. The manager quickly nodded, his tone respectful. “Yes, Miss. No matter how many dishes are ordered, it will be all on the house.”
Brenna turned toward the entrance, her eyes landing on a middle-aged female cleaner sweeping beneath the relentless
Afternoon sun. Without hesitation, she stepped outside, exchanged a few words with the cleaner, and placed the card in her hands before returning inside.
She met the manager’s stunned gaze and spoke calmly. “I can forgive you and accept your apology, but I won’t be returning here to dine again. The card is useless to me. Can she come in and dine here?” She gestured toward the cleaner outside.
A hush fell over the room. The manager stiffened, caught off guard by her words. Even Ethan, who had remained composed all this time, looked slightly surprised.
Rosie, outright stunned, snapped, “Are you insane? You want a cleaner to dine at the Flavor Restaurant? Do you even understand how ridiculous that is? Even you barely match the standard of this place with the way you’re dressed, let alone her.”
Brenna wasn’t surprised by Rosie’s reaction. She knew that in Rosie’s mind, people belonged in strict categories and were never to mix.
She turned to face the manager, her voice casual yet firm. “Since the card was given to me, it’s mine to do with as I please.”
She glanced at his name tag, which read Mylo Todd. She said, “Mr. Todd, if that cleaner comes in to dine, will she be served with the same quality service as your usual guests?”
Mylo hesitated. He believed Rosie had a point. Since its opening, the Flavor Restaurant had catered exclusively to the elite. They had never served a cleaner before.
His eyes flicked toward Ethan, looking for guidance.
But instead of agreement, he was met with Ethan’s cold gaze-one filled with unmistakable displeasure.
Mylo straightened his posture and nodded stiffly. “Of course.”
Brenna gave a small nod, then turned and left without another word.
As soon as she was gone, Mylo’s expression darkened. He turned to the waitress. “Evita, you’re fired!”
Evita’s face drained of color, her knees nearly buckling. Her voice cracked with desperation as she said, “Mr. Todd, please! I have a child to support. I can’t lose this job! It is my only lifeline.”
Mylo retorted, “Your lifeline? You just cost me mine! That customer just said she won’t be coming back. Her experience here was terrible, all because of you. I should be holding you accountable for damaging the restaurant’s reputation. And yet, you have the audacity to ask me not to fire you?”
Evita paled further, panic consuming her. Then she spun toward Rosie and clutched her arm to stop her as she was about to leave. “Miss Harper, please! You have to help me! I lost my job because of you! You need to help me here-please, say something to the manager for me!”
Disgusted, Rosie shook her hand off. “Get lost!”
Outside the restaurant.
Brenna tilted her head slightly, a small smile playing on her lips as she looked up at Ethan, who towered over her. “Thanks for today,” she said. She could have handled the situation on her own, but having Ethan step in had made things easier for her. She figured he at least deserved a word of gratitude.
Ethan’s lips curled at the corners, his expression thoughtful. There was something oddly familiar about the woman before him, though he couldn’t place where he had seen her before. That was why he had interfered-otherwise, someone like him wouldn’t usually get involved in other people’s matters.
But there was something else that intrigued him. That laptop of hers. A model so rare, only five existed in the world. And he also happened to own one of them.
He found himself naturally drawn to someone that exceptional.
“So, Miss Harper, how do you plan on thanking me?” Ethan said.