Chapter 240
Effie’s brows knit in subtle annoyance as she replied to Irving Butler, “Mr. Butler, there’s really no need for you to trouble yourself with this. We’re both just trying to keep the clients happy, aren’t we?”
Irving let out a dismissive snort.
At that moment, Lyman’s assistant called back, informing them that the private dining room had already been taken by one of Lyman’s friends.
But then, to everyone’s surprise, the front desk staff greeted Effie and her group with unusual warmth, ushering them straight toward the very room in question.
If Irving Butler still hadn’t figured out what was going on by now, he really was as dense as a brick.
Face tense, Irving trailed after the group. Once inside the private room, he forced a nonchalant smile, anxious not to let the Pattersons see through his unease.
There was no denying it-Lyman’s private suite was in a different league altogether.
The room wasn’t much larger than the others, but the interior exuded old-world charm. Instead of seeing a table and chairs upon entering, guests were met by a handcrafted wooden screen fitted with display shelves, artfully obscuring the view beyond. Anyone passing by could only catch a teasing glimpse of what lay inside.
The shelves themselves were lined with genuine antiques-none of them cheap replicas. Each piece was worth a small fortune.
Apparently, these were gifts from people hoping to curry favor with Lyman. If he liked something, he took it home; if not, it found a place here.
Beyond the screen stood a table of polished hardwood, surrounded by six chairs just right for Lyman and his brothers, who often gathered here. Any more seats would have made the room feel empty.
Effie had visited once before, so she took it all in stride.
For Irving Butler and the others, though, it was their first time. They couldn’t help but gawk at the paintings on the walls and the treasure-laden shelves, eyes darting from one marvel to the next.
A complicated emotion flickered across Mr. Patterson’s face. He wasn’t exactly unsuccessful in his own right, but he’d never let himself get too smug-there was always someone higher up the ladder. Yet, standing here, he realized that things Lyman dismissed as worthless would be considered priceless treasures in his own world. He still had a long way to go to catch up.
He’d have to keep working harder, that much was clear.
Irving Butler, meanwhile, was floored by his boss’s wealth. Any one of these “cast- offs” could probably buy a house back in his hometown.
Once they were seated, the servers brought out a parade of lavish dishes, far beyond anything they’d seen in the other private rooms-this was a whole new level.
There were wild sea bass, enormous lobster tails, black truffles-foods Irving Butler had only ever heard about on TV, never mind actually tasted.
Even worldly Mr. Patterson found the meal a bit overwhelming.
“Effie, did you order all this?” Irving muttered under his breath, eyeing the spread nervously. This had to be way over the company’s meal budget. He certainly wasn’t going to cover the extra cost.
Effie understood immediately-Lyman must have been worried she wouldn’t eat well, so he’d ordered the best for them. “I’ll pay for anything over the budget,” she assured him quietly.
Irving just snorted again, thinking to himself that Effie could act so generous only because she’d managed to cozy up to Randell. What was so impressive about that? Still, he kept his thoughts to himself.
“Ladies and gentlemen, all the dishes are served. Please enjoy your meal,” the server announced with a polite bow.
Mr. Patterson motioned the server over and asked quietly, “Excuse me, how much is this meal? I’d like to pay.”
They were all just regular employees, after all—how much could they really
afford? Just getting the chance to dine here was a rare treat.
The server smiled. “No need, sir. This is a gift from our owner.”
“Your owner?”