Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex’s "Uncle" - Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Setting the Trap Chapter 13: Setting the Trap Zoey sneered, her tone dripping with condescension.

“Obviously!

You shamelessly followed us here just to get into Celestial Feast, didn’t you?

Let me be blunt-this place is a symbol of status, not somewhere a country bumpkin like you belongs.” She shot Selina a disdainful glance, her words growing harsher.

“Instead of waiting to be thrown out later, why not save yourself the embarrassment and leave now?” Selina smiled faintly, casually tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Her tone was unhurried, even relaxed.

“Alright, Zoey.

Just don’t regret it later.” “Regret it?” Zoey let out a derisive laugh, her face full of mockery.

“That’s hilarious!

If I regret it, I’ll get on my knees and bow to you right here.

How about that?” In her mind, getting rid of someone like Selina was doing Celestial Feast a favor.

Regret?

The idea was laughable.

Selina simply nodded and said softly, “Then I hope you all enjoy your meal.” With that, she stepped aside, making no move to follow them.

Seeing this, Zoey’s smugness grew.

She turned to the group with a triumphant wave.

“Let’s go.

Ignore her!” Selina’s lips curved into a subtle smile as she watched Zoey and her entourage head inside.

Then, calmly, she took out her phone and sent a quick text.

Once inside Celestial Feast, Zoey strode confidently to the front desk, her tone imperious.

“Check the reservation for Miss Clark’s private room and take us there.” The receptionist glanced at the records, just about to respond, when the phone on the desk rang.

After listening to a few words, her expression shifted to one of seriousness.

She stood abruptly, her demeanor instantly becoming exceptionally respectful.

“Ah, so you’re Miss Clark’s esteemed guests!

The manager has already arranged the finest private room for Miss Clark.

Please, follow me.” Under the astonished gazes of the group, the receptionist led them to an expansive private room.

The room overlooked the river, with elegant decor that was understated yet luxurious-a space clearly reserved for the elite.

Handing them the menu with a warm smile, the receptionist added, “The manager has instructed that since you are Miss Clark’s friends, today’s entire bill will be on the house.

Please order freely.” The group erupted in cheers, unable to contain their amazement.

“Natalia really is incredible!

To have a room like this at Celestial Feast and even get it comped-what prestige!” “Exactly!

Natalia is so thoughtful, no wonder Carter picked her.

Compared to her, Selina is like dirt beneath her feet!” Zoey was elated by the praise and began ordering extravagantly, selecting the most expensive dishes without concern for quantity.

With so many people and her indulgent choices, the bill quickly exceeded two million.

As the food arrived, Zoey quipped with a saccharine mockery, “Ah, if I had known earlier, I would have let Selina come in with me, so that she could also open her eyes.

For a country girl like her, let alone a dish worth two million, I guess she has never eaten a dish worth twenty thousand!” The surrounding employees chimed in eagerly, laughing at Selina’s expense.

“Miss Carter, you’re too kind.

Selina doesn’t deserve to dine here-it’d only waste Natalia’s generosity!” Zoey’s sneer deepened as her disdain for Selina grew.

A clueless fool from the countryside-she probably couldn’t even fathom the idea of setting foot in a place like Celestial Feast.

Midway through their boisterous meal, the door to the private room suddenly swung open.

A middle-aged man in a tailored suit, exuding authority and professionalism, stepped inside.

He gave a polite bow and spoke in a courteous tone.

“I’m the manager of Celestial Feast.

I hope everything has been to your satisfaction.

If there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate to let us know.

Additionally, we’ve suspended service for other guests today.

Our entire staff will be dedicated to serving your party.” The announcement stunned everyone into near silence, their excitement bubbling over moments later.

Celestial Feast was renowned as a top-tier restaurant, with access limited even for the wealthiest families.

For the staff to cater exclusively to them?

It was a privilege they’d be boasting about for years.

Zoey immediately plastered on a fawning smile.

“Celestial Feast truly lives up to its reputation!

Don’t worry-we’ll be sure to sing your praises to Miss Clark later.” The manager maintained his polite smile as he began, “It’s my honor to serve Miss Clark’s guests-” He stopped mid-sentence, his gaze sweeping over the room.

Suddenly, his expression darkened.

“Wait a moment… who are you people?

Where is Miss Clark?” Earlier that day, he had received special instructions from Jack: Miss Selina Clark would be dining at the restaurant, and she was to receive the highest level of service.

The manager had even reviewed her photo to confirm her identity.

Yet now, in this private room, there was no sign of her.

Zoey suppressed the panic rising in her chest and tried to maintain her haughty demeanor.

She quickly interjected, “I’m the Carter Family’s eldest daughter.

Miss Clark, she didn’t-” “Carter Family?!” the manager snapped, his sharp voice cutting her off.

His brows furrowed, and his tone turned icy.

“Who are you, really?

There is no one from the Carter Family on Miss Clark’s guest list!” The atmosphere froze.

The employees, who had been celebrating moments earlier, now turned their skeptical gazes to Zoey.

“You-you’re lying!” Zoey’s face turned beet red as she screamed, her tone frantic and defensive.

“I’m Zoey, the eldest daughter of the Carter Group!” The manager let out a cold laugh, clearly unimpressed.

“Zoey, is it?

Let me repeat myself: your name is not on the guest list!

Young lady, if you’re going to lie, at least do it believably.

Did you think you could just waltz into Celestial Feast and pretend to be on our VIP list?” Zoey, who had been so high and mighty earlier, stood there dumbfounded, her mind reeling.

After a moment of stunned silence, she lashed out in anger, shouting, “That’s impossible!

This is Aurora Crest Group’s celebration banquet, and the room was reserved under Natalia’s name!

There’s no way my name isn’t on the list!

If you don’t believe me, I’ll accuse Celestial Feast of mistreating its customers!” The manager’s temper flared.

“Aurora Crest Group?

Never heard of it!

And as for Natalia, she means nothing here.

Did she fail to mention that, although she tried to make a reservation, we rejected her outright?” He sneered, his voice laced with disdain.

“Our owner explicitly stated that Clark Family members, are not welcome here!” The room fell into stunned silence, the employees exchanging bewildered and uneasy glances.

What was going on?

Moments ago, they were told they were Miss Clark’s esteemed guests.

Now, they were being told they were unwelcome intruders?

Zoey’s face turned ghostly pale, her body trembling with suppressed rage.

She forced herself to keep up appearances, shouting shrilly, “Fine, so we didn’t secure the reservation, but we’re still paying customers!

Is this how you treat paying guests?

It’s not like we’re dining for free!” The manager smirked, unimpressed.

“Oh, really?

Then let’s settle the bill now.

The total comes to 2.38 million.

How would you like to pay, Miss Carter?

Split among everyone, or are you covering the entire amount yourself?” The air grew heavy with tension.

No one dared to breathe.

“Two… two million three hundred and eighty thousand?!” Zoey shrieked, her pupils dilating in shock.

“How could a meal cost that much?” The manager shot her a disdainful glance.

“All our dishes are clearly priced.

Surely, Miss Carter, you didn’t order without checking the menu?

Or are you suggesting that you can’t afford to pay?” Zoey was left speechless, her face twisting in a mix of embarrassment and fury.

Moments ago, she had ordered recklessly, confident that the meal would be on the house.

She never anticipated this turn of events.

Gritting her teeth, she snapped at the employees.

“It wasn’t just me eating!

You all had your share, so why should I pay for everything?” Her colleagues erupted in protest.

“Miss Carter, that’s too much!

How were we supposed to know it would cost so much?”  “Exactly!

You said Natalia was treating us.

We wouldn’t have come otherwise.

We’re not paying for this!”  “Unbelievable.

I even complimented Natalia earlier, only to find out she couldn’t even secure the room.

What a joke!” Still, as Aurora Crest Group employees, they didn’t dare offend Zoey too much.

Reluctantly, they each contributed 10,000, leaving Zoey to cover the remaining 2 million.

Fuming, Zoey swiped her card, barely suppressing the urge to scream as the transaction processed.

She was so furious she could have shattered her teeth from clenching them.

“Alright, get out!” the manager barked, waving over security.

The guards promptly “escorted” the group out.

Standing outside the restaurant, Zoey’s face burned with humiliation.

The curious stares of passing guests only deepened her shame.

She wished the ground would swallow her whole.

A light laugh broke through the silence.

Zoey’s head snapped up, and her gaze locked onto Selina, leaning casually against the wall with her arms crossed.

Her lips curled into a mocking smile, her eyes filled with undisguised ridicule.

“Thrown out already?” Selina asked.