Eric loved Ella, but he wanted her to be strong, knowing that he might not always be there to protect her. In the treacherous world of powerful families, he couldn’t guarantee that their enemies wouldn’t do something insane.
"Yeah, yeah, I know, stop nagging!" Ella’s tone was defiant, but her eyes were soft and tender.
"Your mouth is really asking for trouble, Ella. Just wait until tonight—I’ll teach you a lesson!"
"Ah! Eric, you pervert!"
Twenty minutes later.
Eric and Ella walked into Sapphire Shores Tavern together, but just halfway up the stairs, Eric received a phone call, leaving Ella to head to the private room on her own.
Ella knew that Eric’s position in the Nelson Group wasn’t as secure as it appeared on the surface.
James was constantly critical of him, and naturally, some shareholders sided with James as well.
Eric’s methods and ideas were particularly forward-thinking, which didn’t sit well with the older generation who couldn’t stand his youthful arrogance. They must have pulled quite a few underhanded tricks to undermine him.
The fact that Eric had managed to hold his ground in the Nelson Group was no small feat. Now, trying to seize power, take over the entire Nelson Group, and then bring down the Walker and Miller Groups—it was almost an impossible task.
Thinking about James’s sneering face and Henry’s cold gaze made Ella feel uneasy.
She entered the private room alone, and her phone vibrated. Ella unlocked it and saw a new notification on her Twitter.
It turned out she had gained a few new followers.
BlazeKnight: Hey there, I’m your Facebook friend UrbanNomad.
Ella raised an eyebrow. UrbanNomad was a relatively new Facebook friend who claimed to go to the same school as her.
Most of her Facebook friends were schoolmates, so seeing that he was from the same school, Ella accepted his friend request.
LunaFlame: Got it, thanks.
Ella immediately got goosebumps. A grown man using such a cutesy tone—she was dumbfounded.
Looking at her Twitter handle and the man’s username, Ella couldn’t help but smirk. Why did she get the feeling that UrbanNomad had purposely chosen a name to match hers?
Could he have a crush on her?
Ella found it amusing. Since her rebirth, she had received countless love letters, confessions, and proposals on Twitter, never a moment’s peace.
Good thing Eric didn’t know about these—otherwise, he’d probably be insanely jealous.
"Hey, Ella, you’re here too?" A familiar voice interrupted Ella’s thoughts. She looked up in surprise to see Leah and another woman standing at the doorway.
Ella sighed internally. She had just told Eric in the car that this woman wouldn’t bother her anymore, yet here she was again at Sapphire Shores Tavern.
What kind of grudge did she have against this place? Every time she tried to have a meal here, she ended up running into someone she didn’t like.
"What a coincidence, Miss Carter," Ella greeted Leah with a calm tone, while the woman beside Leah walked into the room, glancing around.
"Let’s just eat here," the woman suggested, looking around the private room.
"Tsk, talking as if she owns the place," Ella thought.
Leah offered an apologetic smile to Ella. "Ella, I’m sorry to intrude. If you’re here alone, why don’t you join us? My treat."
"No need. I can afford my own breakfast," Ella replied calmly, knowing full well that once Eric returned, things would get interesting.
Leah, with her "innocent" facade, really needed a wake-up call. Otherwise, she’d continue believing she was always the princess, always the most adored.
"And who do you think you are to talk to my sister like that?" the other woman snapped, raising an eyebrow and speaking in a sharp tone.
Ella found the woman somewhat familiar, but couldn’t quite place her.
"Hello, I’m Ella," Ella replied with poise, maintaining her composure with the grace of a true lady from high society.
In contrast, the other woman’s sharp expression and rude demeanor were utterly out of place.
"Ladies... ladies, this room is reserved for a distinguished guest. Please choose another room," the waiter politely intervened.
"Distinguished guest? What makes her a distinguished guest? We’re eating here!" the woman declared arrogantly, pulling out a chair and sitting down.
Leah offered an awkward smile, while the waiter looked troubled, unsure of what to do. Ella remained unfazed, watching the woman with a calm expression.
"Miss Carter, I suggest you choose another room. My friend will be here soon," Ella said, taking a sip of the tea that had been served earlier.
She had hoped to enjoy a pleasant Saturday morning, but now these two flies were ruining it. Clearly, it wasn’t her lucky day.
"Ladies, please leave this room. It’s really been reserved for a VIP!" The waiter, looking distressed, insisted again. She seemed to be a new employee, unaware that this room was Mr. Nelson’s personal space.
"And who do you think you are to order us around? Sapphire Shores Tavern’s food might be good, but the staff is clearly subpar—blind, even!" the woman sneered, glaring at the waiter. "Now, hurry up and bring us the menu!"
But the waiter, growing increasingly frustrated, stood her ground. "Miss, please choose another room. This one is not available!"
Leah remained silent, standing awkwardly to the side, subtly observing Ella’s reaction.
Ella, however, stayed calm, as if she wasn’t even aware of the argument between the waiter and Leah’s cousin.
"How dare you! Is this how Sapphire Shores Tavern treats its guests? I’m going to file a complaint!" the woman shouted, slamming her hand on the table.
The waiter’s face turned pale, clearly distressed. She had worked hard to get this job, and now it seemed she might lose it.
"Enough, don’t make things difficult for her. If you insist, go ahead and sit here," Ella said coolly, turning to the frightened waiter with a gentle smile. "Thank you for your effort. You can leave now; we’ll wait for my friend to arrive before ordering."
The waiter shot Ella a grateful glance. "Thank you, miss."
She quickly left the room, only to stop in her tracks upon seeing the man standing just outside. His devilish smile captivated her, leaving her standing there, dazed and unable to move.
"Hmph, as if you’d dare challenge us. We’re from Carter Group, and we’re VIPs here too!" the woman scoffed, her eyes filled with disdain.