The Pearl Hotel wasn't exactly close to the University of Maple Grove, so they had to grab a couple of taxis to get there. Including Flora, there were eight of them-just enough to fill two cabs. When they arrived, it was just past one o'clock, right in the middle of the lunch rush. The place was packed. Brianna had been a regular here, so the receptionist and the manager recognized her immediately. Their faces looked a bit off when they saw her.
"Miss Brianna, what brings you here today?" The manager asked, plastering on a forced smile as he walked up to her.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Well, I'm here to eat, obviously. Getthe best private room you have, and make sure it's big," Brianna replied, missing the manager's awkward vibe entirely. She spoke with a hint of pride, eager to show off in front of Flora.
In the past, the manager would have quickly and respectfully escorted her upstairs. But now? Not a chance. The boss had laid down the law: no one from the Brimer family was allowed in the Pearl Hotel. Not even Brianna.
The manager looked uncomfortable. "Um... Miss Brianna, how about you find somewhere else to eat today?" he said, trying to be as polite as possible.
Brianna frowned. "What do you mean?" The manager glanced at Ivan and the others behind Brianna, knowing they were her friends. He didn't want to embarrass her in front of them. He pulled Brianna aside and whispered, "It's like this... our boss has ordered that no one from the Brimer family is allowed in." "Not even me?" Brianna's brows knit together. Her brother and the Brimer family had always been at odds, so any place he owned was off-limits to them. But she had always been the exception. They got along well-so what had changed? Had someone from the Brimer family ticked him off again? "Miss Brianna, these are the boss's orders. I'm just the manager; I can't go against him," the manager said nervously, worried she might blow up.
"What's going on? Is there a problem?" Ivan and the others joined them, stomachs growling-after all, it was already past one, and they were starving.
"It's nothing. Just givea minute," Brianna said, trying to keep her cool as she stepped aside to call Ray. She figured it was likely that someone from the Brimer family had made Ray mad, and he was still fuming. Normally, she'd just leave, but today was different. She couldn't afford to lose face in front of Flora.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAfter two unanswered calls, Brianna was starting to panic. She had brought everyone here for a meal, and now they couldn't even get in the door. How humiliating. She could already imagine Flora's smirk. "Hey, Princess, are we good to go yet?" Maddox asked, leaning wearily against Ivan.
"Is there an issue? Should we go somewhere else?" Ivan suggested, noticing Brianna's uneasy expression.
"Yeah, let's find another spot. The Pearl Hotel is pretty pricey anyway. Us coming here was already a bit over the top," one of the guys chimed in, trying to give Brianna an out and save her from embarrassment.
Just then, Flora, who had been quiet this whole time, stepped up to the manager "Uncle Zhou, could you please let us in?"
"Ms. Flora!" The manager's eyes lit up as soon as he saw her. She had been the at the back, hidden by VanCand others, so he hadn't noticed her until now. "Why didn't you say you were coming? Of course, you can go in, but..." X