Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 397

The waiter looked helplessly at Effie, then glanced over toward Isabel, clearly unsure how to respond.

Isabel's voice sliced through the tension, cold and commanding. "If you can't handle this, go get your manager."

Relief flickered across the waiter's face. Of course he couldn't fix this, but the manager might.

He hurried away, and before long, returned with the restaurant manager in tow.

The manager could sense the charged atmosphere before he even got close. This was the kind of drama he'd rather avoid, but unfortunately, these two difficult customers had chosen his restaurant tonight.

"Ladies, I'm terribly sorry your dining experience hasn't met expectations," he began diplomatically. "If you'll allow me, I'd like to offer a solution."

Effie folded her arms across her chest. "And what exactly do you suggest?"

Isabel tapped her fingernails impatiently on the table. "Let's hear it. I'm curious what you'll come up with."

The manager turned to Isabel. "Miss, it seems you're quite sensitive to noise, so perhaps the main dining area isn't the best fit. Unfortunately, all our private rooms are fully booked tonight-there's not a single one left, and I do apologize for that. As compensation, we'd like to offer you a twenty-dollar voucher, valid indefinitely. Would that be acceptable?"

"Twenty dollars?" Isabel slammed her hand on the table and shot to her feet, voice ringing out across the restaurant. "You think you can fob me off like some beggar?"

table, sending silverware skittering and plates clattering with

number of diners turned

an insult!" Isabel seethed

small business—there's no way we can meet unreasonable demands. If

leaned in,

you someone famous? If a story got out that a celebrity caused

it—at least, not yet. Whether or not she would expose

face darkened, her expression so tense it seemed

made Isabel's skin

Isabel barked, cutting her off. "You can forget about me ever spending another

the exit, nearly tripping over her own

She was terrified

Effie would blurt

name. Even

already stalled,

el.no

a comeback. The