Chapter 3 - THE PERFORMANCE
Serena snatched the phone from her purse.
Julian caught her wrist before she could delete anything.
He did not squeeze.
He simply held her hand still.
“Let go of me.”
“Stop destroying evidence.”
“Evidence of what? A bad date?”
Noah stepped back, nervous but watching.
Julian released her only after she placed the phone on the table.
The screen showed a livestream dashboard.
More than twelve thousand people had been watching.
The title read: GOLD DIGGER GETS EXPOSED BY BROKE MAN.
Serena’s own account name appeared beneath it.
Julian stared at the screen.
“You planned to make me the gold digger?”
“You lied about who you were.”
“So you ordered nearly nineteen thousand dollars in food to prove I wanted your money?”
Her mouth opened, but no answer came.
Comments poured across the screen.
Some viewers mocked Julian’s wet hair.
Others had begun asking why the manager looked terrified.
Julian ended the stream.
Serena grabbed her purse.
“I’m leaving.”
“No,” Mr. Pike said suddenly.
Everyone turned toward him.
The manager’s voice shook.
“You can’t leave yet.”
Serena’s stare sharpened.
Pike looked at Julian.
“I was told this would only be publicity. She said the clip would go viral and the restaurant would trend.”
Julian leaned back.
“Who approved it?”
Pike glanced toward the private dining balcony.
A man in a navy suit had been standing there unnoticed, watching the entire scene.
He turned and walked away.
Julian recognized the profile.
Graham Vale.
Serena’s older brother.
Also the investment executive trying to buy controlling interest in Cross & Ember.
Julian rose.
“Seal the exits.”
Serena blocked his path.
“You’re overreacting.”
“Your brother planted a manager in my flagship restaurant and used you to manufacture a scandal.”
“You don’t know that.”
Julian looked toward the balcony.
Graham was gone.
But on the railing where he had stood, a slim black flash drive remained.
Noah hurried upstairs and brought it down.
Julian turned it over in his palm.
A white label had been attached to one side.
May you like
It contained only three words.
PHASE TWO TONIGHT.
