The lobby manager recognized Alex’s membership card and when he saw how Alex was unshaken by Ethan Case, he knew that they did not have to worry about this matter anymore.
Thus, along with the few waiters present, he took a few steps back and got ready to watch the show. Although it was against the rules to let outsiders deal with conflicts in the store, it was not their fault that Alex was a distinguished black-gold member.
Big Ken then took a step forward and stared straight at Ethan Cage, taking a stance.
However, Alex motioned for Big Ken not to be anxious by patting his sleeve and said slowly to Ethan, “I’m not against people smoking, but I can’t stand others smoking in public, especially in strictly smoke-free places. Preventing people, who are not used to the smell of smoke, from inhaling second-hand smoke is the least respect you can have for them.
You’re wasting resources and affecting the business of the store by occupying this table but not eating here. Also, you better keep your hands to yourself and your mouth shut. Don’t try to push me or curse at me again. Otherwise, you’ll definitely pay the price for your reckless behavior.”
Ethan Cage was stunned. “Who the f*ck do you think you are?”
“I’m here to eat, just like you.”
“Hiss… If you were an employee of this store, I’d understand if you interfere in this matter, but you’re a f*cking outsider. Who allowed you to meddle in this? Kid, no matter who you are, I advise you to hurry up and apologize to me and then get out of my sight. Otherwise, I’ll…”
Slap!
Suddenly, Big Ken slapped Ethan on the mouth. “Did you forget to brush your teeth today? Why is your mouth so smelly? Can you talk properly?”
“F*cking hell! You’re dead!”
Ethan became so furious that he stood up, grabbed a pair of unopened tableware, and swung it at Big Ken’s head.
Quick to react, Big Ken twisted Ethan’s right wrist and pinned it behind his back. Then, he took away the cutlery and shoved Ethan forward. “Get lost!”
“F*ck you!”
Ethan fell to the ground but he eventually climbed up again, enduring the pain that was coming from his right arm. He took a lunge at Big Ken before he suddenly stopped.
All he saw was that Big Ken had straightened his right hand that was holding the tableware and when he made a sudden exert in force, he crushed the plastic-sealed tableware. Just like that, a plate, a small bowl, a teacup, and a spoon were all shattered, while his hand remained completely unscathed. After throwing away the debris, he dusted off his hands and said indifferently, “Scram!”
Ethan was cowed by Big Ken’s terrifying strength and knew he met a bad match. He was stunned for a moment, stuck in a dilemma.
A wise man would know better than to fight when the odds were against him. So after a moment of hesitation, Ethan followed that principle and gnashed his teeth at Big Ken. “If you have guts, don’t run away. Just wait!”
With that, Ethan quickly ran out.
The elegant man’s brows were knitted together tightly. He first bowed to the lobby manager and apologized before he bowed to Alex and Big Ken, and said sincerely, “I’m sorry, everyone. My friend is stubborn and he has offended you, but I’ll apologize on his behalf. Please forgive him.”
However, Alex merely waved his hand as he walked to the front desk. Then, he recited Old Sid’s phone number and followed the receptionist to the private room that Old Sid had reserved.
After a while, about ten minutes after the appointed time, Old Sid finally arrived, where he bowed to Alex as soon as he entered. “I’m sorry, everyone. I arrived on time, but I was delayed by something downstairs and kept you waiting.”
Alex said with a smile, “Old Sid, you look very tired. Did something bad happen downstairs?”
“Ahem… Mr. Cohen is joking. You can go ahead and order first. I still have another table to attend to. I’ll come back as soon as possible.”
“Friends of yours? You can invite them to sit with us. You’re merely one person, how are you supposed to run to two separate sides?”
“No, my son is here too.”
“It’s fine. As long as there are seats at the table, just call them up. We don’t mind.”
“Well… Alright, please wait a moment.”
Old Sid nodded. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he turned, ran out, and came back in less than two minutes.
What exceeded Alex’s expectations was that the friends whom Old Sid mentioned were actually Old Cam and Old Luke, who had gone to Hudson Designs to fight for the Greenville project! What was even more surprising was that the elegant man and Ethan Cage, whom Alex had just met at the entrance, also came. After Old Sid introduced them, Alex learned that the elegant man was actually Old Sid’s son, Levi Seymour, and Ethan Cage was Old Cam’s son!
Not only was Alex dumbfounded, but Big Ken and the others were also stunned speechless.
Similarly, Levi Seymour and Ethan Cage’s eyes almost bulged out of their sockets.
When Old Sid saw this, he asked curiously, “It seems like you guys know each other?”
Alex shook his head with a wry smile. “Not really. We just had a little conflict earlier downstairs…”
“Ah? So what Ethan meant when he said someone was nosy… I mean, helping the staff deal with problems, that was you? Oh my, this is a case of a conflict rising between people on the same side. Mr. Cohen, Ethan is still young and ignorant. Don’t lower yourself to his level.”
“I don’t mind, so it’ll depend on whether he can let it go or not. Sigh, what a coincidence…”
It had never crossed Alex’s mind that there would be such a coincidence.
Old Sid did not know whether to laugh or cry as well.
Old Sid was still busy at the construction site when he received Alex’s call. When he found that Alex wanted to have a meal together, he immediately called and booked a private room here. Thinking that his son Levi had just graduated from Quill City Technological University and was looking for a job, he wanted to take this opportunity to introduce Levi to Alex.
At that time, Levi was together with his classmate, Ethan Cage, so they came together. They had arrived first and a falling out with the staff and Alex followed after. Feeling unreconciled, Ethan rushed out to call Old Cam, wanting him to gather a group of workers to seek revenge on Alex.
Immediately after, Old Cam and his sworn friend, Old Luke, hurried over.
This made Old Sid feel that the incident happened because he had invited them over, so he acted as a peacemaker and took all the responsibility to defuse the conflict between Ethan Cage and the staff. He then intended to set another table to treat Old Cam and Old Luke to a meal to apologize. They were all old friends and they often met, but he wanted to extend them this courtesy today in order to avoid embarrassment in future meetings.
Although Old Sid knew that Alex was here, he never thought that Alex would be one of Ethan’s enemies.
Old Cam accepted Old Sid’s compromise downstairs because Ethan was in the wrong, hence there was no benefit in making a scene. However, now, Old Cam’s expression turned dark as he said coldly to Old Sid, “My son is indeed still young, but who said that he’s ignorant?”
“No…” Old Sid waved his hand awkwardly. “Old Cam, it was just a figure of speech.”
“Enough, you don’t have to try to smooth things over anymore. I’ll deal with this matter myself!”
“Don’t do this, Old Cam. Mr. Cohen is a big boss and my financial backer. Do it for me…”
“No one who bullies my son will get off easily! Besides, he’s just your financial backer. What has that got to do with me?”
After yelling at Old Sid, Old Cam glared at Alex. “Cohen, I know that you’re a boss whom ordinary people cannot afford to provoke, but being rich isn’t an excuse for you to do whatever you want! How could you beat up my son just because he provoked you? Not even I have hit him since he was a child! You must give me an explanation for this. Otherwise, I won’t let you off!”
Alex shook his head. “Old Cam, I finally know why Ethan Cage would be this reckless. It’s because you didn’t discipline him. It’s often said that spoiling and indulging children isn’t love but harming them instead. However, not many people heed this. Your son is a living example.”
“Hiss… Cohen, not only did you not give me an explanation, but you gave me a lecture instead?”
“I’m just saying what I feel. Go on, what do you want?”
“Apologize to my son, and then take him to the hospital for a checkup to see if he’s hurt. If he is, you’ll have to compensate for mental damages on top of the medical expenses. In any case, you should shoulder all the consequences caused by this matter. To put it bluntly, you have to take full responsibility!”
“In a nutshell, you want money, right? What if I refuse?”
Old Cam scoffed coldly. “Cohen, that’s not up to you! I’ve already called a group of workers who are on the way. If you don’t give me a satisfactory explanation, you won’t be able to leave here today. I’ll send someone to smash up your company too!”
