Chapter 20 Contempt
The disdain in those words was obvious to everyone.
And it wasn’t just Lindsey who was offended.
Some in the room paled at the remark but swallowed their anger to avoid causing a scene.
Lindsey ignored the mockery, her polite smile unwavering.
“Ms. Oconnell, who in this world doesn’t struggle? Our servers work hard, students in labs and classrooms grind, and even celebrities like you. earning millions daily, must find it exhausting. Besides…”
She lifted her gaze, locking eyes with Jaelyn.
“How much schooling did you complete, exactly? Why lecture others?”
“You!”
Jaelyn’s composure nearly cracked.
She was a top–tier star, but her education was a sore spot.
Years ago, her low academic scores barred her from domestic universities. Her family paid her way into a joint international program at a prestigious school.
Fans hailed her as a “genius” until netizens exposed the truth.
If someone who flunked the entrance exam was a genius, then Ivy League students would be gods.
Mockery flooded forums until her team scrubbed the trending topics and
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rebranded her as a “lovable airhead“, salvaging her image.
No one had mentioned it in years. People were forgetting.
Now, with the topic resurfacing, her temper flared.
Out of the corner of her eye, Camila’s recording phone glinted. Jessica swallowed her anger.
Panic flooded her face. She raised her hands cautiously.
“Lindsey. I didn’t mean it like that. You know I’m not good with words. I just meant… If you’d studied more, your job might be easier now…”
Lindsey raised a brow.
They said fame needed luck, but Jaelyn’s rise to stardom wasn’t accidental.
Her acting skills were heaven–sent.
But Lindsey had no patience for the act. “Ms. Oconnell, let’s cut the crap and focus. What exactly dissatisfied you about the meal here?”
What dissatisfied her?
Jaelyn hated everything!
This dump was remote and shabby. She’d only come because rumors claimed the royal chef lineage’s heir was cooking here.
It turned out that the dishes were not cooked by Osvaldo, no different from usual. She’d already bragged online. Now she looked like a fool.
Jaelyn sneered. “Lindsey, I’ll be blunt. Your food is overpriced garbage. How could anyone like it?”
For a chef. “garbage” was the ultimate insult.
The chef behind Jaclyn’s meal was Osvaldo’s top apprentice, Charles Hodges.
He stepped forward, face red. “If it’s garbage, explain why!”
Since becoming head chef at Golden Willow Restaurant, no one had dared insult his dishes.
Jaclyn stepped back and wrinkled her nose. “Everything’s awful. I only came because of your ‘royal chef‘ scam. Total fraud! I…”
“Bullshit!”
Charles’s temper mirrored Osvaldo’s. Before Jaelyn could finish, his roar cut her off.
She recovered, glaring. “How dare you! Can’t handle criticism?”
Charles clenched his fists, but Lindsey stopped him.
“Ms. Oconnell, how can we resolve this? We aim to satisfy our guests. Please share your concerns so we can address them.”
Jaelyn smirked at her humility. “Lindsey, I’ll drop this only for you. Have Osvaldo himself cook me a meal. If it’s good, I’ll let it go.”
“Hmm…” Lindsey lowered her gaze.
“Simple, right?”
Jaelyn inspected her nails arrogantly. “I’ll pay for both meals. No one can accuse me of stirring drama.”
Lindsey shook her head. “I’m afraid your demand can’t be satisfied. Osvaldo no longer cooks for guests. His apprentice’s dishes are identical. Since you dislike them, his work won’t please you either.”
She added calmly, “We’ll refund your payment. Feel free to dine
elsewhere. We’ll also free up your table for waiting guests.”
She stepped aside.
Servants flanked her, gesturing toward the exit.
The message was clear: Don’t let the door hit you.
Jaelyn froze.
During the tense silence, the head waitress in a dress finalized the refund. “Ms. Oconnell, your total was 650 dollars. We’ve refunded it to Mr. Woodward’s account. We’ll also revoke your VIP card and discuss
reimbursing its service fees…”
“Wait! Why revoke my card?”
Jaelyn’s face darkened.
Lindsey smiled politely. “Since our food doesn’t suit your taste, we won’t waste your money. Other guests enjoy our VIP services, so we’ll reallocate the card.”
Jaelyn turned pale.
She hadn’t expected demanding Osvaldo’s cooking would backfire.
If Eliezer finds out… No. she couldn’t let him know.
“It’s just me! My friend likes the food here!”
She nudged Camila, who stammered, “Y… Yes! The food’s good. And you can’t take Mr. Woodward’s card!”
“But…”
Lindsey feigned hesitation.
Chapter 20 Comemor
Jaelyn cut in. “Actually, I do like some dishes here. Today was just… off. I’ll reorder. Keep the refund.”
“Apologies, Ms. Oconnell. No one here can meet your standards. Please… dine elsewhere.”
The staff again gestured toward the exit, unified.
