The Takeout Takedown

"You're not short on food at home. Is this really necessary?" Aunt Marian scolded.

I took a deep breath, forcing down my anger.

"Aunt Marian, Mike insisted on splitting the bill. He even said he'd rather throw the leftovers away than let me take them. I just didn't want to waste—"

"Alright, that's enough!" She cut me off sharply. "Men care about their pride! Packing food right in front of him—wasn't that basically slapping him in the face, saying he couldn't afford to treat you? Mike's mother said it herself—women should be sensible, reserved. With behavior like yours, how are you ever going to marry into the McSally family?"

I let out a cold laugh.

Marry into the McSally family? Even if they begged me, I wouldn't be interested.

"Aunt Marian, if he's so outstanding, then save him for a woman who's more 'sensible,'" I said coolly.

"I'm not worthy of such a match."

With that, I hung up, thinking the matter was finally over. I didn't expect fate to circle back so quickly.

…

The next day, I went to inspect operations at our hotel.

I had just reached the entrance of the buffet when a loud commotion caught my attention.

"Don't hold back, everyone! Tonight's team dinner is on me. I know the manager here—got us an internal discount. Eat as much as you want!"

I would recognize that voice even if it turned to ash. Turning my head, I saw Mike standing in the center of a crowd, flushed with excitement, bragging animatedly.

The group around him looked like colleagues from his new job.

Coincidentally, the company—Helios Technology—was one of the tenants leasing office space in our hotel building.

I had no interest in engaging with him. Lowering the brim of my hat, I tried to slip past unnoticed.

"Well, well—if it isn't Jennifer?"

Mike's sharp eyes locked onto me instantly. His booming voice drew everyone's attention.

"What's this? Didn't get your fill last night, so you came back to loiter and scrounge another free meal?"

He strode over in a few quick steps, looking me up and down in my casual clothes, his eyes dripping with disdain.

"Jennifer, you're really something. Just to sneak into a five-star hotel, you'd stoop this low?"

He turned to his colleagues and announced loudly, "Let me introduce you all—this is the 'top-tier' blind date I posted about last night! Her family's dirt poor. On our date, she practically licked every plate clean and even tried to pack everything to go! After I called her out, she shamelessly refused to leave!"

Laughter erupted from the crowd. Their gazes pierced me like needles.

"Oh my God, she looks decent enough. How can she be so shameless?"

"Seriously, chasing men to this extent… unbelievable."

"I've seen plenty like her—just fishing here for a rich husband, right?"

I frowned, staring at Mike coldly.

"Watch your mouth. I'm here on business."

"On business?" Mike let out an exaggerated scoff. "What kind of business? Begging?"

He casually grabbed two dry, hardened buns from a nearby serving cart and tossed them into my arms as if feeding a stray dog.

"There, there—since we did go on a date, I'll toss you a bone. Take these and chew on them. Stop embarrassing yourself here and get lost."

The buns fell to the floor, rolling twice and picking up dust.

I looked down at them—and then laughed, my anger reaching its peak.

'Very well. If you're so determined to court disaster, don't blame me for what comes next,' I fumed inwardly.

I was just about to call for security when Mike suddenly spotted several senior executives approaching from a distance. His expression flipped instantly as he hurried over, all smiles and obsequious charm.