Chapter 1
I was heading out of my brother’s restaurant when the manager stopped me. “Excuse me, miss, you haven’t paid your bill yet.“[]
Looking at this unfamiliar face, I figured she must be new and didn’t know me, so I explained politely:]]
“Just put it on the owner’s tab. He’ll know.“[]
The female manager gave me a contemptuous once–over.]]
“Miss, this is a Michelin three–star establishment. We don’t do tabs.”
With that, she handed me a printed bill.[]
glanced down-$100K for one meal.[]
Silverware maintenance fee: $10K.]
Exclusive air purification service: $20K]
VIP mood enhancement service: $30K.[]
And a bunch of other ridiculous charges.[]
Holy shit! I had no idea my brother was running this kind of scam operation![]
H
I laughed in disbelief. “I’m your boss Dante Blake’s sister. If there’s an issue, he can talk to me at home.“[]
But she wouldn’t let it go. “If you can’t afford it, why put on airs? Now you’re trying to name–drop Mr. Blake?“[]
Hearing this, I immediately shot off a text to my assistant:
[Tell my brother–either fire his manager or I pull all funding!]]
….0
“Miss, stop wasting everyone’s time and pay up.”
Her tone was smug and cutting, like she’d already pegged me as some gold digging wannabe trying to dine and dash.]
A few rubberneckers were already staring.
I frowned, not wanting to waste time on this BS, and pulled out my phone to call my brother directly.
But all I got was that annoying busy signal. Same thing when I tried again!
Middle of a workday–what the hell was that little punk doing?]
I put my phone down and stared straight at this pushy woman, speaking slowly and clearly:
Chapter 1
“I’m telling you one more time–my name is Poet Blake. I’m Dante Blake’s sister.“[]
“His phone’s busy right now, but you can check his account. My photo and info are linked to it.“]
I thought this was the most straightforward way to handle it.]
But when the manager heard my name, instead of checking, she burst into shrill, grating laughter.[]
She was practically cackling, drawing even more stares.[]
Then she leaned in close, dropping her voice so only I could hear:[]
“Still playing games? I’ve seen your face all over my honey Dante’s social media!“[]
“You shameless homewrecker, sneaking around with my man!“[]
“And now you have the nerve to waltz into his restaurant and charge meals to his saccount? Do you have any shame at all?“||
For a second I was stunned. I glanced at her name tag–Zoey Summers. Then it hit me with a wave of disgust.]
This was Dante’s girlfriend, the one he’d been so secretive about that he wouldn’t even show me a picture.
So this vicious, stupid woman was his big secret.[]
How could his taste be this terrible?]
Now I realized this wasn’t some mix–up. The $100K bill was a deliberate setup to humiliate me.]]
Before I could say anything, she’d lost all patience.
“Since this lady wants to skip out on her bill, we’ll have to detain her until the cops arrive!“[]
She waved her hand, and two burly security guards who’d been lurking nearby stepped forward.]
One clamped his hand over my mouth while the other twisted my arms behind my back like he was wringing out a towel.[]
I struggled hard, but the strength difference made my resistance pointless.[]
Ignoring my furious glares and the horrified looks from other customers, they dragged me roughly toward the kitchen.[]
Then they threw me hard into a storage room in the back that reeked of disinfectant and rotten food.[]
The door slammed shut, cutting off all light and sound from outside.[]
