The poor Billionaire novel (Ethan) novel Chapter 54
"Mr. Warren, I must say that you are really different from other rich people!" Edna couldn't help praising him. She then complained coquettishly, "Why didn't you make it clear to me on the phone this morning? I had no idea that you intend to keep a low profile during the party here. You are the third young descendant of the Warren family that I have met. The others are always ready to throw money around. You are the first one that is cautious in spending. You don't even want to have the entire restaurant to yourself!"
"Ha-ha!" Horace immediately asked, "Edna, you know more about my family than me. I haven't seen the two other young descendants. Tell me, are they very powerful? Why did they have to book the whole restaurant just to have a meal?"
"I can bet my entire life savings that they are not as powerful as you. After all, you are the son of the head of the Warren family. You are not on the same level as them. They may be members of the Warren family, but they are not the direct descendant of the current head. They don't even come close to you in terms of power and riches. Besides, I don't like them at all. They are so pompous and extravagant. That reminds me. Back in Antawood, Marcus once treated a friend to dinner. He booked the whole hotel. Gosh! He was so arrogant then. I can't stand him!" Edna slowly recounted how one of the young descendants lived an extravagant life.
"Marcus? This is the second time I am hearing his name today. According to Mr. Hudson's words, he was an excellent young descendant of the family!" Horace remembered Egan's words.
"Mr. Hudson?" The mention of that name stunned Edna. With her eyes opened wide, she asked, "Mr. Warren, are you by chance speaking of Egan Hudson, the man who has been serving your father in Antawood for decades now?"
"Yes. What's wrong? Do you know him?"
"Of course I know him, Mr. Warren. Mr. Hudson is the highest-ranking staff in the Warren family. Almost all family members and associates know about him. So, he came to Rinas to see you? This is unbelievable!"
Edna was shocked to hear the news. She knew that Egan had spent many years serving Randall and that he had a very high status because of his loyalty. It was even more shocking that Randall sent his most trusted staff to see Horace in Rinas despite the serious internal crisis going on.
This act alone was enough to make her deduce that Horace held a special place in Randall's heart even though he had been missing for eighteen whole years. 'Wow! No wonder the head of the family is trying so hard to quell the crisis and defeat the most recent opposition that reared its ugly head. From the look of things, he would have a tough duel with the Board Of Elders!'
The thought of this sent a shiver down Edna's spine. She knew this was going to be a tough battle. Also, she didn't know if Randall was going to win or not. Currently, many people wanted to compete for the position of the heir. If Randall successfully defeated the current opposition, there would be no need to hold such a competition. The successor would definitely be the young man standing in front of her now. She was certain because the other competitors' backers would either be down-and-out or not be a match for Randall at that time.
'Edna, you need to stop worrying. You are not even one of the top elites of the Warren family in Rinas yet. Why are you getting worked up over what would happen in Antawood soon? You will cross that bridge when you get there. Get your acts together. All you need to do now is to serve Mr. Warren first!' Edna advised herself inwardly.
She then asked Horace, "Mr. Warren, what do you say? Are you really not going to book the whole restaurant?"
"Edna, I don't want to book the whole restaurant. Other people can come to have their lunch." After giving this order, he added, "I'm going to spend twenty thousand dollars on the meal today. Which table should I sit at?"
"Huh? Twenty thousand dollars? I hate to break it to you, Mr. Warren. Although the average meal in our restaurant costs twenty thousand dollars, it doesn't cover for the VIP service here. How about I arrange a table for you by the window?"
Even though Horace was the owner of this place, Edna told him the truth about what his money could cater for. Afterward, she said to the waitress next to her, "Did you hear what Mr. Warren said? He doesn't want to book the entire restaurant anymore. Take off that sign by the door and don't turn any customers away."
"Okay, Edna, just make the necessary arrangements now," Horace uttered.
This was the first time Horace was coming to the Country Music Restaurant. He didn't know how much a meal would cost. Thus, he told Edna his budget and asked her to prepare a table for him.
"Okay, Mr. Warren. This way, please!" Edna nodded and led the way to a table by the window.
Horace sat down in one of the chairs and said, "Edna, you are the manager of this place. If you keep me company here, you would raise eyebrows. You can go back to your work now. I'll inform a waitress if I need anything!"
"Okay, Mr. Warren!" Edna nodded in agreement. She then snapped her fingers to call the attention of the waiters and waitresses. "Make sure you attend to Mr. Warren and his invitees well. It doesn't matter how many the other diners in the restaurant are. Mr. Warren should be your number one priority. Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes, Miss Avila. We will do exactly as you have said!"
The entire staff agreed to her command in unison. Edna then curtsied to Horace and remarked, "Mr. Warren, have a wonderful time here. I will take my leave now."
She left after Horace nodded.
Once Edna went back to her office, all the employees raised their heads and took a good look at Horace. They wondered who he was. 'Who is this guy exactly? Why did our boss treat him with so much respect? She even said we should prioritize him over the other customers.' Everyone told themselves that they would treat him well today. Although they didn't know how powerful he was, they reasoned that he would change their lives if they left a good impression on him.
The thought of putting a conscious effort to please Horace made some of them nervous. They were afraid of making any mistakes.
Horace sensed that they were on tenterhooks. He gently waved his hand and said, "You all, don't be so nervous. You shouldn't stress yourself too much. Just treat me as an ordinary customer!"
He then flashed them a friendly smile.
As expected, his smile eased the employees' tensed nerves slightly.
Since Horace was superior to their boss, they deduced that he was a wealthy and influential man. They had met many rich men who were full of themselves. Hence, they didn't expect that Horace would be so approachable.
The entire staff was lost in thought as they stared at him.
All of a sudden, a woman's angry voice rang out. "Horace, you shameless bastard! So, you are using the money we donated for your mother's medical bills to pick up girls! Have you no ounce of shame?"
Lucinda and Macie entered the restaurant immediately. They both looked at Horace with absolute disdain. The angry voice was Lucinda's.
The next second, another timid voice came from the door. "Horace, I had no idea yesterday that this place was so expensive. How about we change to somewhere cheaper?"
Laila entered the restaurant and walked towards her former classmates. Anxiety was written all over her face.
When Horace had told her about the Country Music Restaurant yesterday, she had thought it was just an ordinary restaurant. She was shocked to learn the exact opposite when she searched for the restaurant's information online after she got home last night. The per capita consumption here was more than a thousand dollars.
'Horace's mother is currently in the hospital. Her medical bills haven't been sorted out yet. I can't allow him to spend this much for my birthday!' These were the thoughts that came to Laila's mind after she saw the restaurant's price list last night. Now she wanted them to leave for a cheaper place.
Before Horace could respond to her, Lucinda and Macie quickly sat at Horace's table. Afterward, Lucinda said defiantly, "We're already here. Why should we leave? It would be too much trouble to switch restaurants now." With a scowl, she added sternly, "Laila, it's your birthday today. Don't start with me!"
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