The Scorned Heiress's Hidden Empire (by Jade Quinn) novel Chapter 42

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“I think Mr. Pierce has even won some international skiing awards. That’s already impressive, but this lady is even better

than he is.”

Blondie ripped off his goggles in disbelief. “How the hell are you this good?”

Henry’s expression stayed frosty. “I never said I didn’t know how.”

Blondie gritted his teeth and nodded. “Alright, you won.” Then Blondie turned to Natalie. “Talia, let’s go.”

Natalie nodded briefly to Henry and then turned to leave with Blondie.

“Wait.” Henry’s voice came from behind, carrying a barely noticeable urgency.

Natalie paused, turned back, and gave him a questioning look.

Henry took a few steps forward, checked the time, and said, “Looks like it’s just about dinner time. How about we grab

something to eat together?”

Before Natalie could say anything, Blondie cut in, “We’re not hungry.”

Henry ignored him and kept his gaze on Natalie. Afraid she would say no, he spoke before she had the chance, “This place belongs to Pierce Group. After what happened earlier today, I owe you an apology. And I still haven’t made up for what happened back in Seaside City.”

He let that sit for a beat before adding, “If you turn me down again, I really won’t know where to put myself.”

His tone was pitch–perfect, earnest without crossing the line. He had given enough ground, and his reasons were sound enough, that it was hard to refuse him outright.

Blondie rolled his eyes, muttering inwardly, ‘What a fraud. He really knows how to play this.‘

Natalie glanced at Henry, pressed her lips together, and replied, “Okay.”

Blondie was so anxious that he could hardly stand still when Natalie actually agreed, but he kept quiet. ‘Hey, free food’s nothing to complain about.‘

Henry broke into a smile. “Awesome. What do you want to eat? Name it, and I’ll make it happen.”

Natalie shrugged, “Whatever works.”

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at The Astor House.

The Astor House sat right in the heart of Harbor City, where every inch of land was worth a fortune. With nearly a hundred years of history, it was a living symbol of wealth and status.

Only the rich and powerful ever set foot inside. Even regular millionaires would have a hard time scoring a table, let alone

a prime spot.

The black Bentley and the yellow supercar rolled up one after the other.

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Chapter 42

The doorman opened the doors with a respectful flourish.

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The manager hurried over, his face arranged into the perfect blend of warmth and deference. “Good evening, Mr. Pierce. Your top–floor private dining room is ready. This way, please.”

It was one of The Astor House’s most exclusive private rooms, perched at the very top of the building with its finest view.

Rumor had it that it was never open to the public, reserved only for a rare few guests of exceptional standing or those granted special approval by senior management.

Henry nodded and motioned Natalie forward, holding the door open for her. “Miss Moore, after you.”

Natalie remained calm and composed, simply nodding in response before stepping inside.

With a faint smile tugging at his lips, Henry followed right behind her.

The manager, who had witnessed the whole scene from behind, was left stunned. ‘Did I just see that right? Mr. Pierce has never brought a woman here before, and now he’s actually being so eager to please her? Who is she? I’ve never seen her

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His professional smile faltered. ‘Did I hear that right? One of every entree?‘ There weren’t many mains on the menu, but there were still well over a dozen, and none of them came cheap. ‘Forget the bill. Can she actually finish all that?‘

Blondie sucked in a breath and turned to stare at Natalie. ‘What are you doing, Talia?‘ Then it hit him. ‘This is just her normal appetite, and besides, someone else is paying.”

Henry was visibly thrown for half a second, but he had seen this side of her before. The surprise vanished as quickly as it came, replaced by a deeper smile in his eyes. “All right,” he said.

Then he looked at the manager, who was still standing there in a daze. “You heard her. One of every entree.”

The manager could only stare at him. In all his years working there, he had never seen anyone order like this. ‘And Mr. Pierce is actually going along with it.’ For the first time in a long while, his years in fine dining feel completely useless.

“M–Mr. Pierce…” he stammered, just to be sure. “Did you mean one of every entree on the menu?”

“Yes.”

Henry nodded, and the manager hurried off at once.

Before long, the first dishes began to arrive.

The kitchen was clearly running at full speed, and the service matched it. Plates came out in flawless succession, each course arriving at exactly the right moment.

There were oysters on ice, thin slices of fluke crudo dressed with citrus, a silky lobster bisque, butter–poached halibut, duck breast cooked to a perfect rosy medium, and one beautifully prepared dish after another.

Blondie stared at the spread, practically dazed.

Natalie, on the other hand, was completely serious. She barely spoke once the food started coming, all her attention fixed

on eating.

Henry knew better than to interrupt her and ate quietly beside her at first. It didn’t take long for him to realize, though, that his appetite was nowhere near hers. In the end, he set down his fork and simply watched her with open curiosity.

Course after course continued to arrive, and plate after plate was cleared away.

Henry was genuinely stunned. ‘How does someone that skinny put away this much food?‘