Hilda continued to belittle Aveline while greedily eating the meal that Aveline was paying for.
Aveline found it exasperating.
Finally, after Hilda had eaten her fill, she burped and stood up, saying, "I'm going to the restroom." Aveline put down her utensils, intending to ask her about the matter once she returned.
However, half an hour passed, and Hilda had not returned.
Aveline's brow furrowed, and she took out her phone to call Hilda.
No one answered.
Aveline's expression grew cold.
Just then, the door to the private room was abruptly pushed open, and a young man with a broad, menacing face walked in. He wore a leather jacket and had an insolent demeanor.
His eyes
lit up upon seeing Aveline.
"It's been years, and you've become even more beautiful!" he exclaimed.
Aveline immediately stood up, warily eyeing the newcomer.
It was Mike Portal.
Mike, the son of Arthur Town's deputy mayor, was infamous for his rampant behavior and terrible reputation. Five years ago, on the night Aveline received her college acceptance letter, Hilda had taken her out to celebrate. She drugged Aveline's food and sent the unconscious girl to Mike's bed.
Aveline had broken a bottle, cutting her thigh to stay awake. When Mike approached her, she struck him on the head with the bottle, rendering him unconscious before fleeing Arthur Town that very night. Now, five years later, she found herself facing him again.
No, this wasn't a coincidence!
How could Mike know she was in this private room? And why hadn't Hilda returned?
The answer was all too clear.
Aveline's expression grew colder. Hilda was trying to hand her over to Mike again!
Mike closed the door behind him and rubbed his hands together. "Well, well,
Aveline. I never forgot how you hit me back then. Didn't think you'd show your face here again. What happened? Couldn't make it out there?"
He walked toward her, his eyes gleaming with predatory intent. "You should have stayed with me back then. I would've made sure you lived a life of luxury."
Aveline glanced at the table, seeing no wine bottles, and moved to the other side, watching him warily. "Seems like you forgot the pain after recovering. Want me to remind you?"
Mike laughed. "Go ahead, try. Last time I wasn't prepared. Now, I'd like to see how you'll break my head."
With that, he lunged at her.
Aveline dodged, running around the table, looking for a chance to escape.
Mike flipped the table over, chuckling lecherously. "Run all you want, let's see where you go now!"
The crashing sound of dishes echoed, and with the table no longer a barrier, Aveline's heart sank.
Meanwhile, in the adjacent private room.
Leaders from various levels in Arthur Town smiled at the young, handsome man sitting at the head of the table.This text is property of NĂ´/velD/rama.Org.
Suddenly, the clatter of dishes hitting the floor startled everyone.
"What's going on?"
"Larry, go check it out."
The deputy mayor, Steve Portal, instructed his secretary.
Larry nodded and quickly stepped out to investigate.
Steve turned back to the young man at the head of the table, smiling. "Mr. Tudor, Arthur Town has great development potential. Our natural spring water is pure unpolluted, and we have natural hot springs.
and
"The mountains are rich in resources. The only downside is the distance from the city. Developing it into a tourist area might not show immediate returns."
Outlining the pros and cons of Arthur Town was part of their strategy. Since the president of the DK Group had come for an on-site inspection, they had to show their utmost sincerity.