Chapter 38 Wasted Night

The manager, fully aware he'd misspoken, had already retreated to the side. Faced with this sudden revelation, Samuel remained outwardly composed. Still, the few furtive glances he cast at Madeline betrayed his unease. "I wasn't deliberately hiding it from you," he said. Madeline understood. After all, for someone of Samuel's status, it would have been strange to lay everything bare from the very beginning. "I know," she replied, nodding as she lowered her head and continued sipping her soup. They finished the rest of the meal in silence. Just then, a slight commotion arose at the restaurant entrance. Quinn stood there with Julian, her arm looped through his, while the manager politely blocked their way. "I'm sorry, Mr. Larsen and Ms. Jillard. The restaurant has been reserved for the evening and isn't open to other guests," the manager said courteously. After running into one setback after another, Julian's expression darkened. "Reserved? By whom?" The manager merely smiled,