Chapter 185
Victoria Roscente suppressed her fury.
"What kind of sincerity do you want?"
Deborah Melville felt a secret thrill seeing her so flustered.
"You're eager to discuss the price, I understand."
"But since we arrived in Kyoto, we've been staying in hospital rooms, sleeping on those awful caregiver cots."
"Every part of us aches."
"Then, a few days ago, your driver terrified us."
"We're traumatized, both physically and mentally."
"We need to recover properly before we can talk…"
"Just state your terms!" Victoria's temple throbbed visibly.
Deborah raised an eyebrow.
"First, arrange a hotel for me and my son."
"A five-star one."
"Preferably the Presidential Suite."
Tyson Richter added quietly, "Presidential Suite."
"Yes, we want the Presidential Suite!"
Victoria took a deep breath.
"Fine!"
She immediately instructed the butler to book the hotel.
That evening, the mother and son checked into the InterContinental Hotel.
The Presidential Suite was fully booked.
After much persuasion from the butler, Deborah reluctantly agreed to an Executive Suite.
Its luxury left them speechless.
"Two bedrooms, three bathrooms!"
"There's even a gym and a pool…" Tyson's jaw dropped.
"Rich people really know how to live!"
Deborah ran her hand over the leather sofa.
"And this isn't the best one?"
"What must the Presidential Suite be like?"
"How much does it cost per night?"
Tyson shrugged.
"Who cares? We're not paying!"
"Mom, look at this menu. I've never even heard of these dishes…"
Deborah opened the menu.
There were two full books, covering every cuisine imaginable.
The prices made her gasp.
The cheapest item was over two hundred.
Highway robbery?
"Mom, I'm hungry…" Tyson stared at the pictures, swallowing hard.
Deborah's eyes lit up.
She called Victoria.
"Just a place to stay isn't enough."
"I need good food and drink to recover properly."
Victoria didn't want to argue.
"Order whatever you want. Put it on the room tab."
"Don't bother me."
She hung up immediately.
Deborah smiled, putting her phone away.
"Order. It's on the house."
"Really? We don't pay?"
"Didn't you hear? Order anything!"
She deliberately picked the most expensive items.
Soon, a server arrived with a cart, offering impeccable service with a constant smile.
He even poured their wine with care.
The pair ate Western food they'd never tasted before, enjoying the top-tier service.
They felt like they were in heaven.
Is this how the wealthy live?
Seven point two million dollars… we definitely asked for too little.
…
Victoria assumed that after her demands were met, Deborah would enjoy herself for a few days before discussing money.
Then, she could dismiss her with a few hundred thousand.
A million at most.
It was less than the cost of one of her coats.
A small price to pay for peace.
Two days later, Deborah called.
But it wasn't about the money.
"…What did you say?!"
Deborah repeated herself.
"Take us to that hotel for afternoon tea. The one from last time."
"Is that a problem?"
Victoria fought the urge to throw her phone.
"It's members only!"
"So?"
"Non-members can't enter!"
"Then get me a membership! Simple."
Victoria gritted her teeth.
A membership? She made it sound so easy!
It required cumulative spending of two million for a lifetime membership.
Did Deborah Melville deserve that?
"I don't care. I want to go today. Figure it out."
In the end, Victoria used her own membership to bring them in.
They ran straight into a gathering of society ladies.
"Mrs. Roscente? Is that you?"
"We called out to you earlier, but you didn't respond."
"We thought we were mistaken."
Victoria forced a smile, though she was mortified and wanted to flee.
"I didn't hear… my apologies."
"And who are these two?" Someone scrutinized Deborah and Tyson.
"They look familiar. Have we met before?"
The inevitable had arrived.
Deborah answered cheerfully.
"Last time we were here, Mrs. Roscente and I had a little… disagreement."
"It got a bit loud. You were there, right?"
The ladies instantly remembered.
Their looks towards Victoria became filled with shock, suspicion, and deep meaning.
"So… you've worked it out? Made peace?" one of them asked.
Before Victoria could speak, Deborah cut in.
"All settled! We made peace ages ago!"
"Better to resolve a feud than keep it…"
She thought she was being gracious, unaware that Victoria wanted to sew her mouth shut.
Settled? That implied there was a dispute.
What dispute? Their minds went straight to Ethan Roscente.
It confirmed the rumor about getting a girl pregnant!
The gossip had been just speculation.
Ignoring it would have let it fade.
But Deborah had just admitted it openly!
"I see~" The lady who didn't get along with Victoria smiled even more brightly.
"We won't interrupt your little family gathering then. Let's go, everyone."
They left, satisfied, clutching this juicy piece of gossip.
Victoria stood frozen, her face dark with rage.
Family gathering? You're the one who's family with her!
Oblivious, Deborah looked around in awe.
"These chandeliers are huge…"
"Is that vase by the entrance an antique?"
"How much could it sell for?"
Victoria: "…" She truly wanted to slap her.
After enduring the mother and son wolfing down their afternoon tea, Victoria thought she was finally free.
But then—
Deborah pointed.
"That's a mall across the street, right? Let's go shopping!"
Victoria: "You go ahead. I have something to—"
"Go where? If you leave, who's going to pay?"
Victoria: "???"