The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 336

"Suzie, I think that window seat is gorgeous," Mia whispered, pulling Suzie from her thoughts.

Suzie glanced in the direction Mia was pointing and nodded.

Gazing out the floor-to-ceiling windows at the bustling city skyline, Mia spoke with unfiltered excitement. "It must be nice to be rich. I never even dreamed of eating at a place like this. It's so beautiful. And I've never tasted food this incredible before."

Suzie smiled warmly. "Money definitely makes things easier. You know what they say—everyone has problems, but money solves most of them. Keep working hard, and one day we'll have it all."

Mia nodded eagerly, her eyes bright.

The two exchanged a look and burst into lighthearted laughter.

When their food arrived, they spent the meal chatting about everything under the sun. After they finished eating, Suzie walked over to the hostess stand to pay.

The cashier respectfully handed over the bill. Suzie took it, but a frown quickly creased her forehead.

She had checked the prices on the menu when ordering, but the final total included an extra printed slip for a one-hundred-dollar "seating fee."

She tapped her index finger against the slip of paper. "Excuse me, but what exactly is this charge for?"

"Hello, ma'am. That is the additional premium seating fee for the window table," the cashier replied.

Suzie kept her tone even. "Could you clarify that? I don't quite understand."

The cashier offered a patient explanation.

"It is similar to concert tickets having different price tiers, or how private dining rooms cost more than the main hall. The window seats offer a better view, so the fee is higher than the rest of the dining area."

Suzie paused for a moment, her voice still perfectly polite. "I can understand if different pricing is your restaurant's policy, but no one informed me of this beforehand."

The cashier glanced at the bill and responded courteously. "Please give me a moment. I will ask the server who took your order."

A moment later, their previous waiter jogged over to the counter.

"Right? They probably had to scrape their pennies together just to afford one meal here."

The judgmental murmurs hung heavy in the air.

Suzie instantly pulled her hand back, her eyes narrowing as she glared in the direction of the voices.

The cashier looked over awkwardly.

The biting sarcasm was loud enough for Suzie to hear, and everyone else caught it too.

The man in the suit immediately barked at the gossiping employees. "Do you not have jobs to do? Stop your gossiping right now."

Before the echo of his reprimand could fade, another voice sounded from behind them. "Marcel, what seems to be the problem here?"

The suited man whipped around. Seeing the newcomer, his stern expression instantly morphed into a fawning smile as he hurried out from behind the counter. "Aaron. What brings you by today?"