The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 338

At the mention of Mr. Baylor, Aaron immediately turned to greet his boss. Seeing this, Marcel practically tripped over himself to follow Aaron.

Mia, who had been silent the entire time, sneaked a glance at the approaching men and leaned in to whisper in Suzie's ear.

"Suzie, should we just pay the bill and get out of here?"

Suzie gave Mia a reassuring pat. "I told myself I was done running, and I meant it."

She offered a small smile and asked her friend a question. "If you encountered an unreasonable charge like this, would you speak up?"

Mia dropped her voice even lower. "Suzie, I was nervous just sitting down to eat here. I wouldn't dare say a word. Now, if I was at a street food cart and the owner tried to overcharge me for a couple of skewers, I might have the guts to argue."

"Exactly," Suzie said. "So imagine how many people they have scammed like this. Not everyone dining here is some wealthy socialite. Lots of young couples come here for dates."

By now, a steady stream of customers was lining up at the counter to pay. The original waiter scurried back over to them.

He spoke rapidly, desperate to get the words out. "Miss, thank you for helping me earlier. I'm just a student working part-time. The manager arbitrarily decides whether to add that extra fee based on how the customers are dressed. There is no official policy about different seating charges."

Mia looked down at her inexpensive outfit, her brows knitting together in realization. "Seriously? They pull scams like that? It was definitely my shabby clothes that made us targets."

The waiter offered a grim, apologetic smile.

Suzie glanced toward the approaching executives before quickly focusing back on the young man.

"You could lose your job for telling me this," she warned gently. "They are coming over now. Go back to work."

"I'm not afraid," the waiter insisted. "That man, Aaron, comes to inspect the restaurant occasionally. When they get closer, I am going to report the manager."

"Aren't you worried they are all in on it together?" Suzie asked.

"It's fine. If they fire me, I'll just find a job somewhere else. Besides, the man they rushed to greet must be the owner."

The young man quickly summarized the situation regarding the hidden fees, finishing with a bold declaration.

"Sir, if scamming customers is standard policy at your restaurant, then pretend I never said a word."

Jamie cast a dark, penetrating look at Marcel. The manager broke into a panicked sweat.

"Mr. Baylor, please, let me explain."

"Aaron," Jamie interrupted, his voice like ice. "Handle this."

"Yes, Mr. Baylor." Aaron turned directly to Marcel. "Where is your general manager?"

"He... he should be in his office," Marcel stammered.

Aaron immediately marched toward the back offices. Marcel hurried after him, opening his mouth to plead his case, but a single, lethal glare from Aaron forced him to snap his mouth shut.