Mr. Heron’s sudden arrival was akin to a bucket of ice water in winter completely ruined the private room’s warm and toasty atmosphere.
The comer of Drogo’s lips twitched, and while he was evidently trying to suppress his anger, it appeared that he was also terrified of this Mr. Heron’s familial background and history.
Drogo suppressed the anger he felt and smiled apologetically, “You misunderstand, Mr. Heron. I’m sure you know the restaurant’s rules and that every blowfish is prepared on the spot. There are only five blowfishes for five portions. We don’t have the ingredients for more.”
Mr. Heron scoffed and looked at Drogo before he said ambiguously, “So you want me to embarrass myself in front of my guests, then?”
Drogo’s expression changed and he quickly replied, “How about this, Mr. Heron. I’ll immediately have someone gather new ingredients and make one for you. But this might take some time.”
Coincidentally, two waiters pushed over a cart of food just as Drogo spoke.
On the cart were plates of exquisite food, including the renowned and rare blowfish dish.
When he saw the path the cart was taking, as well as and the private room number on the cart, Drogo knew that this was the plate of blowfish Vita had ordered.
Mr. Heron’s eyes lit up when he saw the cart and he immediately raised his hand to stop it.
“Isn’t there one here? I want this one.”
Drogo’s expression turned bitter at the words, and he looked at Vita instinctively.
This time, Vita was the one whose expression changed. It was rare for him to have the chance to treat others, and now that both John and Jasper were here, Vita refused to be humiliated in front of them.
“That is the blowfish I ordered.”
Vita said calmly.
His tone was light, but the implications were clear.
Mr. Heron scoffed and looked at Vita before he snorted disdainfully, “Where the f*ck did you come from? How dare you take what’s mine!”
“You…?!”
Vita was enraged.
He was still someone of high status. Due to his special identity and the fact that he was an authoritative senior executive of the bank, people were almost always kind and respectful toward him.
However, Mr. Heron was just in his twenties, around the ago of Vita’s nephews and nieces. Therefore, Vita immediately flushed red when he was scolded with out warning.
“Don’t, don’t!”
Drogo quickly interrupted Vita. He put his hands together with a pleading expression and said, “Both of you are extinguished guests. Business is good when there is peace, right? Let’s not strain any relationships and end up appearing like fools to other people, yeah?”
Vita glanced at Drogo angrily but changed the words he wanted to say. “You decide how to deal with this issue then, Mr. Rice.”
This sentence was brash considering the setting.
Drogo could understand this. Moreover, the man’s expression looked bitter.
Yet, Mr. Heron scoffed and told Drogo, “Look, Drogo, you know who I am, don’t you? Do you still want your restaurant or not? If you don’t, then I’ll have someone demolish it for you tonight.”
Veins bulgd on Drogo’s forehead.
After a long moment of hesitation, he turned to Vita and said pleasingly but with great difficulty, “Mr. Layne, perhaps, we could give Mr. Heron this plate of blowfish first? I’ll have someone prepare new ingredients and send another plate over immediately. And all your expenses tonight will be free.”
Drogo made his decision.
After weighing his options, he chose to stand on Mr. Heron’s side.
After all, Vita was just the vice president of a bank. If he could not ask ICBS for loans, then he could always seek out another bank.
Mr. Heron, though, was different.
As far as Drogo was concerned, Mr. Heron was more powerful than Vita.
Vita’s instantly complexion flushed dark red.
Drogo’s decision made him feel like he had been humiliated in front of John and Jasper.
“Hahaha!”
Mr. Heron burst into laughter and said, “Good, very good. So you still do know what’s good for you, Drogo.”
Delighted, Mr. Heron glanced at Vita and the other two before snorting. “Who are you to challenge me? You think f*ckers that came out of nowhere can steal what I want? Go home and eat bread. F*cking idiots.”
Jasper frowned slightly in displeasure.
Drogo’s way of handling problems alone doomed him to a life of small businesses.
However, John could see Vita’s embarrassment and he immediately told Vita, “It’s alright, Vita. It’s just a dish, we don’t have to eat it.”
“No!”
Vita suddenly shouted, startling John.
Vita glared at Mr. Heron and Drogo, and said icily, “I ordered this plate of blowfish so it must come to my table. I’d rather feed it to the dogs than give it to someone else!”
“Motherf*cker! You’re taking advantage of my kindness, huh?” Mr. Heron accused disdainfully.
Drogo’s expression was also dark. He felt extremely conflicted before he made the decision.
However, now that a decision was made, Vita’s insistence annoyed him.
“Please don’t make it difficult for me, Mr. Layne,” Drogo said icily, “My business is small and I can’t afford to offend anyone.”
“Is that so? So, you think I can easily be offended, then?” Vita asked Drogo frostily.
Drogo took a deep breath and replied, “If that’s what you think, Mr. Layne, then there’s nothing I can do but apologize.”
Drogo then turned to stand by Mr. Heron’s side.
Mr. Heron laughed out loud and told Vita pridefully, “Don’t think that just because you’ve lived a few years longer that it means you’re powerful, old f*cker. If you’re doing business in these times, then open your eyes and take a good look at who you’re talking to. Or you’ll be the one who ends up getting embarrassed.”
Vita clenched his jaw and balled his fists. He looked extremely humiliated and furious, but also exasperated. He knew that there was nothing he could do now that Drogo had chosen to side with Mr. Heron.
He was just a vice president with a lot of authority within ICBS. However, his range of influence outside the banking industry was small.
These businessmen only flattered him so they could get a bank loan, but people like Drogo could easily seek out other banks if ICBS was no longer an option.
For the first time, Vita felt like he held too little power, and his face burned in embarrassment. He felt like he had been completely humiliated in front of Jasper and John.
John could tell that his old friend was furious, but there was nothing he could do.
He understood the humiliation Vita felt since he was also a member of the banking system.
John sighed deeply and thought about how he should comfort his friend when he saw Jasper put his chopsticks down slowly.
At the same time, Mr. Heron was also about to leave pridefully alongside Drogo who was fleeing the scene.
“Stay right there.”
The two words were spoken clearly and powerfully.
“You can leave.”
“But the dish stays.”
