hapter 50
Sushi Kimura was a high–end Japanese restaurant near S&G Law. All the private dining rooms at Sushi Kimura, except for the top–tier VIP suite, were filled with people from S&G Law.
Charlotte was seated in one of the private rooms.
“Wow, Miss Riley, you really went all out. Sushi Kimura, huh?” one of the younger female associates teased. “The last time I was here was during last year’s firm gala, and that was on the boss’s tab.”
Yvonne smiled and joked, “Looks like Miss Riley’s had a successful few years. With over a hundred employees across departments, it looks like tonight’s going to cost her a small fortune.”
Max chuckled and added, “Clearly, Miss Riley’s doing well for herself.”
Another woman, her tone laced with sarcasm, chimed in, “Miss Riley, are you sure about this? Sushi Kimura runs about two to three hundred per person–plus drinks, you’re looking at three months of your salary. Maybe we should go somewhere more reasonable. No need to go broke trying to impress everyone.”
The woman was Yasmine Carter, a litigator. From the moment Charlotte met her that morning, she had a bad feeling about her and her first impression had clearly been right.
Charlotte smiled calmly. “It’s fine. I can afford it.”
Yasmine didn’t let up. “Oh? Then I guess Miss Yarnell was right! You must’ve made a fortune over the years. Got any tips for the rest of us?” Charlotte responded smoothly, “There’s no secret. We’re all lawyers here–big cases pay more, small ones pay less. Honestly, I doubt I’ve made more than you. I’ve been working for three years and still don’t have a car. I heard you already bought a place here in Jersey City?”
She wasn’t lying. The money she made from work,nough to buy a decent car.
Not that she needed to. Her father, Desmond, had bought her a Porsche 911 and a Rolls–Royce Phantom, both of which were still sitting in the garage at the Riley estate. Her cousin, Steven, had gifted her a Maserati she hadn’t touched in months. Lately, she had been driving the glacier -blue Bentley Sean had given her.
Of course, Yasmine knew none of this. All she heard was that Charlotte couldn’t afford a car or a house. She gave Charlotte a condescending
look.
“Trying to look rich when you’re clearly not? How pathetic,” she silently remarked.
The awkward moment passed.
Charlotte smiled and said, “Alright, let’s order. Get whatever you’d like.”
“Don’t mind if I do,” Yasmine said sweetly. She picked up the menu, then paused and handed it to Yvonne. “Miss Yarnell, why don’t you choose first?”
She wasn’t stupid. Everyone in this room was part of the litigation team, and Yvonne was the highest–ranking person here. It was smart to stay on her good side.
Yvonne took the menu. Remembering Vivian’s instructions to “take good care” of Charlotte, she didn’t hold back. “Let’s do this one, this, and that.”
She ordered the three most expensive signature dishes, each one costing hundreds. Then she handed the menu back to Yasmine, who picked two more pricey dishes.
Sitting beside Charlotte was the new intern, Jenny, who looked incredibly anxious. She tugged at Charlotte’s sleeve and whispered, “Miss Riley, I… I can’t afford this place. If we’re splitting the bill, I won’t be able to pay my share.”
She thought the dinner was being co–hosted by her and Charlotte. When she saw the prices, she nearly panicked. This one meal would wipe out her entire year’s savings.
Tears welled in her eyes.
Charlotte gently patted Jenny’s hand and said softly, “Don’t worry. I’ve got this. You don’t have to chip in.”
Really?” Jenny whispered, face red. “Thank you so much, Miss Riley…”
By the time they finished ordering, the ten–person table had racked up over five thousand for food alone, and another three thousand for
drinks.
1/2
Chooter 50
Charlotte glanced at the receipt and smiled faintly.
They hadn’t just ordered like normal people. They were clearly picking the most expensive items just to take advantage of her.
