She mused to herself about how Colton had only sunk lower since their divorce. It was just a dinner reservation, yet here he was, trying to jump the queue and create a spectacle. The more she looked at him, the more repulsive he appeared.
Melany interjected, claiming innocence. “Don’t get mad, Allison. It’s not a big deal if you forget your black card. There’s always fingerprint verification. I know you have integrity, but not everyone will believe that. Someone less trustworthy may even spread suspicions that you are receiving special treatment…” Her voice was syrupy, her eyes wide as she batted her lashes. “I’m simply being honest. I hope you don’t take this the wrong way. But if you truly do have a black card, it wouldn’t hurt to confirm it, right?”
“She wouldn’t dare!” Colton sneered, fully convinced Allison was lying. “If she wasn’t bluffing, she wouldn’t be relying on the manager without evidence. I did not anticipate Jasmine Restaurant to reduce its standards. Allowing anyone in these days… One false move, and you may upset the genuine big shots. I wouldn’t be surprised if this place fails shortly.”
Their argument had gathered an audience, especially when the crowd caught wind that the striking young woman before them was rumored to be a black card holder. Whispers began to swirl among the onlookers.
“Could she really be faking it? A black card holder at her age?”
“Sure, it’s possible. Power doesn’t come with a birth certificate. Keep your eyes peeled – you might want to network if you bump into her again.”
Everyone in the restaurant understood that dining here was about more than just the cuisine. Many came seeking the chance to seal important deals. Holding a membership card signified that one had the connections to make things happen. Naturally, profit was the name of the game.
So, they were all keen to uncover whether this woman was the real deal or just a pretender.
Allison, meanwhile, regarded Colton and Melany as nothing more than jesters, her arms crossed defiantly. “I didn’t want to make a fuss, but with clowns like you ruining the vibe, I might as well.”
With a dismissive wave, Allison made her way to the identity verification machine, pressing her hand against it.
The moment her fingerprint was scanned, the lights flickered dramatically. The machine’s screen flashed red, and a cheerful AI voice announced, “A warm welcome to black card user 001!” The scene was jaw-dropping for the diners.
There were only ten black cards in existence worldwide, and she held the very first one. It meant she was likely a close confidante of the restaurant’s enigmatic owner. Many people were left stunned.
“Those black cards were personally bestowed by the restaurant’s owner! Each holder is someone of incredible stature!”
“I’ve heard the owner is shrouded in mystery. He pulls in top financial giants for negotiations here, so his connections must be something else. For her to have black card 001? She must be someone remarkable!”
Colton was the most rattled. “No… it can’t be.” He had brought clients here with his silver card, reaping countless benefits from it. The reality of the situation hit him hard – he was completely out of his depth.
Never in his wildest dreams had Colton imagined that the woman he once dismissed as a housewife, an orphan with no connections, could hold such ties to this prestigious establishment.
He suddenly realized he had never truly known Allison. Memories from the past few months flashed through his mind like a movie reel.
He remembered Allison’s calm demeanor, how she meticulously crafted pottery, her youthful face lighting up as she made perfumes, her graceful hands flitting between instruments like butterflies. From her eyes to her nose, she was the same woman he had shared three years with. Yet, in that moment, Colton recognized that he had never truly seen her.
Melany’s face twisted in disbelief and jealousy. Surely, Allison must have used some underhanded connections to rise above! There was no other explanation!
“Colton, my stomach hurts. Can we just leave?” Melany whispered urgently. She grasped his hand, desperate to escape the humiliation. She wanted nothing more than to disappear. Yet Colton stood frozen, lost in his thoughts, his grip slack. Frustrated, Melany pleaded again, her voice tinged with desperation. “Colton, I said my stomach hurts. Can we please go to the hospital?”
Still consumed by his memories, Colton unconsciously brushed her hand aside. He reached for Allison’s arm, unable to fathom how he had been so deceived. “Pottery, perfume… I could chalk that up to my neglect. But you’ve been a black card holder at the Jasmine Restaurant all along? Have you been toying with me these past three years?”
Allison, too, felt as if she was seeing Colton for the first time. With a cold smile, she pushed him away. “Colton, have you forgotten? For three years, you and your mother told me all you wanted was for me to be a good housewife. You never once asked me for anything more.
I even offered to help you with your business deals. What did you say then?” Reflecting on that moment, Allison felt a mix of anger and absurdity.
“You told me you liked me best when I was obedient. You said I was a pale imitation of Melany. Judging by how you’re completely ignoring your girlfriend’s stomach ache just to confront me, I’d say you might still have a thing for me after all.”
Colton’s eyes widened for a brief moment before he caught sight of Allison’s mocking grin.
“Well, let’s not go there, okay? Honestly, I find you repulsive.”
Colton snapped, “You!” For a heartbeat, his heart responded to her words, but his mind quickly took over, forcing him to shroud his feelings in coldness. “I only love Melany. I could never care for someone like you!”
Colton had originally been curious about why Allison had hidden her talents for three long years. But now, he realized it wasn’t her concealment-it was his insistence that she remain nothing more than a housewife. He couldn’t quite grasp his own feelings, and an instinct to escape welled up inside him, prompting him to say something provocative to Allison.
“No matter how poorly you try to imitate Melany, you’ll never be able to hold a candle to her.”
He had thrown similar barbs before. Each time, Allison would retreat into silence, occasionally revealing a flicker of sorrow. Colton assumed this time would be no different, hoping it would jolt her from her cool facade and spark some emotional reaction. Even if it was rage, he craved to see it.
But Allison remained unsettlingly composed, treating him like a mere stranger.
“Indeed, regardless of what I’ve done these past three years, you have loathed every bit of it. You never truly saw me, whether I was an orphan or a prominent figure. You hated me just the same. And now, I feel the same about you.”
Allison had finally reached a place of acceptance, letting go of her childhood obsessions.
“Colton, if you could just keep one steady attitude and stop clinging to me, I might still have some respect for your persistence. Why the pathetic act now? It just makes me nauseous.”
Her words, frigid and detached, struck Colton like a dagger through the heart.
Rebecca nodded in agreement. “Exactly! Why are you hanging on like a lost puppy?” She couldn’t help but laugh. “Seeing you like this, one might think you still carry a torch for Allison. If you keep ignoring Melany at your side, she might actually end up in tears from the heartache! And with Allison being so remarkable, even if you wanted to pursue her, you would need to bury that thought. But what would your little mistress do then? She can’t even play the part of the other woman convincingly.”
Rebecca’s jabs were razor-sharp.
In a matter of moments, Melany, already feeling utterly humiliated, had tears cascading down her cheeks.
Colton, if you still have feelings for Allison, I will willingly step aside to let you be together!” Melany’s voice trembled as she spoke, tears flowing freely. “Finally, whether you believe me or not, I never intended to take anything. I have simply been following my heart in search of true love.” With that, Melany turned and walked away, seemingly ready to cut all ties.
Only then did Colton realize he had been neglecting her and called out, “Melany, wait!” But she was already sprinting off, her departure resolute and final. Colton turned to Allison, fury etched on his face.
“Are you doing this on purpose? Did you think playing hard to get would make me fall for you? Dream on! I know you used to act pitifully around me just to create this contrast now. Though you’ve certainly caught my eye, don’t think for a second you can tear me away from Melany!”
With that, he rushed after Melany. Allison simply shook her head. “What a fool.”
In that moment, she fully realized how foolish she had been to marry him. Colton was an utter jerk. Allison even considered that Rebecca had been right to criticize her choice back then.
Watching the two of them chase each other off, Rebecca turned to Allison with a quizzical expression. “Are you sure Colton doesn’t have some kind of mental issue?”
“Now I am certain he does,” Allison sighed with relief. “Let them be together and never trouble me again.”
In the top-floor private room, the manager had gone above and beyond, ordering another round of cleaning and ensuring everything was prepared to perfection. With a delectable spread now gracing the table and fireworks beginning to light up the night sky, he dismissed the waitstaff and bowed deeply to Allison. “Boss, your visit took me by surprise. I didn’t have a moment to get everything ready. I hope it’s not too basic,” he said, practically drenched in sweat.
Who could have predicted that two fools would dare to cut in line ahead of the boss of the restaurant?
“Relax, you did a fantastic job. No need to sweat it,” Allison replied with her usual calm. “You’ve been running Jasmine Restaurant like a well-oiled machine. But now, I need you to revoke Colton’s membership.” Rebecca, seated next to her, clicked her tongue and added, “Exactly. They should be banned for life. They lack any sense of decency and are like a couple of crazies who don’t even grasp human language.”
The manager nodded fervently. “You can count on it – this will never happen again!”
In truth, no one needed to remind him – after Colton’s blunder today, he was already blacklisted.
Allison waved her hand dismissively. “You can leave now. Make sure no one else disturbs us.”
“Yes, boss.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.