The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 28

Chapter 28: Chapter 28 Gerald Troy
“That’s absolutely right! Who do you think you are to treat us in such a manner?! Isn’t it bad enough that your members pay exorbitant amounts to dine in this establishment and then be subjected to this kind of treatment?” Claire’s friends chimed in, echoing her sentiments.

All of them felt intimidated, aware that despite hailing from wealthy families like Claire, they lacked the qualifications to fully integrate into Claire’s elite social circle. They enjoyed being in Claire’s company, trailing behind her in the hopes of enjoying the privileges she could offer—access to exclusive venues and experiences they couldn’t typically afford on their own.

In exchange, they willingly played the role of Claire’s loyal followers, readily carrying out tasks she assigned them, no matter how unsavory. This arrangement suited them both, and they had been living contentedly within this dynamic for years. They understood that they weren’t the only ones engaged in such exchanges; this was simply how individuals of their social standing typically forged connections to advance their own interests and those of their families.

However, despite their willingness to reap the benefits, they were not prepared to weather the consequences of a fall from grace. This fear now gripped them, for they understood that they couldn’t afford to offend any of the guests or the General Manager. Nonetheless, they felt compelled to maintain the facade of defending Claire’s reputation and pride as her loyal friends, even in the face of their own trepidation.

Fueled by the support of her friends, Claire’s determination to prevail in the argument and receive an apology surged within her. She sought to extricate herself from the situation, downplaying its significance in her mind. From her perspective, it was the establishment’s mistake, and she was unwilling to bear the brunt of it. She considered using her father’s name to pressure the General Manager into accepting responsibility for the error.

Exasperated by the ongoing argument with the General Manager, she sighed heavily, feigning fatigue. “Look, I can’t take this anymore! I will make sure to make a formal complaint against you in your management! Not only did you fail to serve a loyal customer who spends a minimum of $100 million annually, you even disrespected me by trying to throw me out. Prepare to face the consequences.”

This is her last-ditch effort to intimidate the manager, hoping he’ll consider the consequences and at least save face for her. If she succeeds, she plans to play the magnanimous benefactor, ensuring he’ll be at her beck and call thereafter.

She grinned from ear to ear, imagining her future triumphant return to the restaurant, where she would flaunt her influence over the famous General Manager of the Golden Dragon Pavilion to her friends.

She waited for the General Manager to kneel in front of her and beg for forgiveness, but as time passed, it became apparent that no such thing was going to happen. Instead, laughter echoed in the lobby—not from the Manager, but from the onlookers.

It only served to highlight the fact that she was nothing more than an ignorant young lady from a mid-tier wealthy family.

Only those who frequented the exclusive banquets of the inner echelons of high society truly recognized the General Manager’s significance. Despite his youthful appearance, he was revered as a formidable presence among the affluent, akin to a tiger navigating the densely populated forest of their social hierarchy. In a realm abundant with wealth and potential, his recruitment from one of the Avery family’s most esteemed vassal families underscored his unwavering trustworthiness and deep-rooted connections.

Gerald Troy also shares a close childhood bond with Cindy’s elder brother, he oversees both the “Golden Dragon Pavilion” and “The Dragon Palace,” the world’s only recognized 7-star hotel.

Most of the Avery’s business dates back to their time serving as advisors to the country’s monarch. Consequently, many of their enterprises feature names like “Dragons” and “Palaces,” reflecting their historical origins. Despite the potential for modernization, they choose to retain these names as they carry significant familial and historical significance.

Despite Gerald’s typically easygoing nature, he was growing increasingly irked by Claire’s incessant chatter. Her lies and insults, not to mention the offense she had caused to an heiress he hadn’t even met, were getting under his skin. While he felt a strong urge to kick her out, he knew he couldn’t risk tarnishing the establishment’s reputation further by acting rashly. His initial excitement at the prospect of meeting their future boss had now turned into regret. If only he had remained composed and cautious from the start.

‘I really wanted to punch myself senseless for making this mistake!’ Gerald internally roasted himself.

The middle-aged man who had spoken earlier burst into laughter at Claire’s expense. “Ah, the bliss of youth and ignorance,” he chuckled before turning serious and directing his gaze at her.

Without waiting for her response, he continued his tone stern. “How dare you! A nobody dares to address Mr. Gerald Troy in such a manner? Even your dog of a father would likely have to plead for forgiveness if he heard the disrespect in your words.”

“How dare you speak about my father like that?!” Claire shouted indignantly.

“Why shouldn’t I? Who do you think you are?”

The girls accompanying Claire began to cower behind her, hoping to avoid recognition, fearing the repercussions that would ensue if their families learned of their involvement in such an altercation.

“Who do you think you are?! I’m a gold member of this restaurant!” Claire retorted with an even louder voice than the man.

“Ah, but being a gold-tiered member hardly makes you significant. Do you realize the extent of your entitlement simply because of a membership level? I, on the other hand, am a platinum-tier member, yet I exercise restraint and decorum. And here you are, behaving as if you’re entitled to the world like a child still clinging to their mother’s apron strings.”

Claire’s face visibly turned as red as a tomato upon being directly called out, prompting a stifled laugh from Athena. “This is quite the spectacle, isn’t it?” she whispered to Hera, who nudged her to keep quiet. Despite warning her friend, Hera herself couldn’t hide her amused grin, her shoulders shaking slightly as she struggled to contain her laughter.

But their subtle amusement inadvertently drew Claire’s attention back to them.

“If my status doesn’t warrant any respect from you, then why does this establishment allow commoners to dine here? Isn’t your sense of status completely skewed? Why should I be kicked out for the mistake made by the General Manager and not those two who are clearly social climbing?” Claire pointed accusingly at Hera and Athena, who were still enjoying the spectacle.

Surprised, they both jolted, their eyes widening as they turned to face Claire. “Why are you dragging us into your mess?” Hera exclaimed almost instantly.

Everyone then turned to look at Hera and Athena in unison.

“Why can’t I? Didn’t they just imply that this place is only for those with status, even I don’t have a say, can’t you see?” Claire sneered, dragging Hera into the matter. ‘I won’t be going down on my own. I’ll drag you with me!!!’ She smiled evilly at Hera.

Hera could feel Claire’s malicious intentions for calling her out now, causing her brows to furrow tightly in disbelief. “I shouldn’t have joined in the fun,” she thought to herself. “I’m regretting it now. I should have just gone straight home instead.”

But she refused to be dragged down by someone like Claire. While she hadn’t fought back before when they attempted to bully her in high school, it wasn’t due to a lack of will. Financial constraints had prevented her from retaliating then. But now, with no reservations or other concerns holding her back, she felt a surge of determination. The voice of her inner villainess screamed, “It’s time to get back at these entitled brats, don’t you think?!”

Although she wasn’t subjected to severe bullying, Hera often found herself on the brink of accidents caused by seemingly harmless pranks and their instigations that ended up in her almost getting molested on multiple occasions. Despite her distress, the school was unable to intervene due to a lack of evidence. Faced with the challenge of ensuring her own safety, Hera took matters into her own hands by working at a mixed martial arts studio to learn self-defense techniques. This decision empowered her to effectively protect herself from the threats posed by them.

“According to what you said, this place values hierarchical status but that doesn’t mean that they will blindly throw someone who did not do anything wrong, especially since we were invited by one of the members to dine here for business.”

Hera unflinchingly met Claire’s eyes. “What?! Do you view yourself higher than anyone standing in this room and so, you only value what you think? Besides, it’s not as if we were the ones who lied to get in a place not meant for the public, and clearly, you did just that to warrant this kind of reaction from these people.”

Athena couldn’t resist but chime in. “This is the issue with ignorant brats. They fail to grasp reasoning. Even my dog is more intelligent; at least he comprehends when I say ‘No’ and he complies.” Her condescending tone rang out clearly, eliciting laughter from everyone in the room.

“How dare you accuse me?! And how dare you to compare me to a fucking Dog?!!!” Claire shouted hysterically.

“Accusation is different from facts. Get your head checked.” Hera shot her down almost instantly.