Standing at the entrance to the teaching building, Grayson's heart ached again as he watched Sienna being swept up into Lowe's arms and driven away.
Could a car really be so alluring to a girl?
Was a mere Passat enough to make her so excited?
Sienna—were you so cheapening yourself?
Suddenly, Grayson felt someone grab his arm, pulling him several steps along before he realized it was Chloe.
"Grayson, what are you staring at? You still can't get over Sienna, can you?"
Chloe had seen the whole scene in the crowd: Sienna climbing into Lowe's car. Now she was both upset that Grayson still remembered a vain girl like Sienna and worried that he had been wounded so deeply.
"I…" Grayson didn't know what to say. He knew Chloe meant well, but he was sentimental. Even though Sienna had treated him poorly, he still found himself replaying the moments when she had been kind to him.
"Come on," Chloe said briskly, "let's find somewhere to drink. My treat—no going home until we're drunk!"
Chloe decided that drowning his sorrow in booze was the only cure for his broken heart.
"No," Grayson shook his head. "Last time I promised to treat you to dinner. Come on—we're going to that Michelin place."
Chloe snorted in disbelief. "Grayson, are you pulling my leg? You used that trick last time, too. Can't you try something new?"
But Grayson merely led her outside, hailed a taxi, and headed straight for the Michelin restaurant.
Even after they stepped out of the cab and stood before the elegant façade, Chloe still couldn't believe it.
"Grayson, stop joking. If you don't have enough money to pay the bill, what then? We'll get kicked out—and that would be mortifying." Looking at the luxury cars parked in front and glimpsing the lavish decor inside, her nerves flared. What if he was just teasing her?
"Come on," Grayson said, tugging her forward. He wouldn't explain further—he simply wanted to fulfill his promise.
Inside, Chloe's stomach tightened with anxiety. She loitered near the entrance. "Hold on—I need to use the restroom."
"Me too," Grayson said, and they headed toward the washrooms.
Chloe dashed inside, leaving Grayson outside to wash his hands and dry them. As he waited, Sienna and Lowe emerged from the ladies' room hallway.
"Sienna?" Grayson blurted.
Sienna startled, then sneered. "You?"
Without warning, she slapped him hard across the face. "Do I know you that well?!"
Sienna's outburst was clearly meant to display her loyalty to Lowe in front of him—today he had surprised her with the car ride and the Michelin dinner, so she clung to him even more possessively.
He let out a cold laugh. "What are you doing here?"
Sienna's eyes glinted with scorn. "Oh, I get it—you're working here, aren't you? Ha! I knew it. If you weren't on staff, how could you show up in a place this high-class?"
Grayson frowned. Really? They'd broken up—he had no reason to see her as an enemy. Why did Sienna treat him like a foe, making his life difficult at every turn?
He considered walking away, but decided that avoiding trouble was wiser. Grudgingly, he strode over to the dispenser, tore off a tissue, and handed it to Sienna.
She stared at the tissue, then snarled, "What—did I ask for this?" She threw the tissue aside, then wrapped herself around Lowe's arm. "Darling, you have something on your shoe. Have him clean it off for you."
Lowe lifted one foot, and without hesitation said, "Come on—wipe my shoe."
"Quickly now," Sienna ordered, her tone imperious. "You're staff here—your job is to serve us. Do as you're told, or I'll complain to your manager!"
Chloe emerged from the washroom right then and froze, her face paling. When she saw Sienna bossing Grayson around, her anger flared.
"Hey, Sienna, that's too much!" Chloe blocked Sienna's path. "Who said Grayson works here? We just came to freshen up—why are you ordering him about?"
Sienna smirked triumphantly. "Oh, you too? I see—you two just came here for the restroom. Ha! Have you no shame? Treating a high-end restaurant like KFC or McDonald's!"
Chloe's cheeks flushed crimson, then paled as intimidation flickered in her eyes. She knew Sienna's tongue could cut deep. Fearing further humiliation, Chloe grabbed Grayson's hand. "Let's go."
But Sienna refused to let them leave. Sensing her moment of power, she raised her voice. "Hey, everyone! These two didn't come to dine—they just came for the toilet! Manager! Come see this!"
A crowd gathered in seconds, drawn by Sienna's clamor. The restaurant manager, a woman in her thirties, appeared.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please calm down," Sienna announced. "These two aren't customers—they're freeloaders using our facilities without ordering anything. Our restrooms are for diners only. We pay for cleaning, for scented air, for tissues and soap—these cost money. If you don't plan to eat here, how dare you enjoy our restroom?"
A few diners murmured in agreement:
* "Yeah, this is absurd—any random passerby shouldn't waltz in here to relieve themselves."
* "True—it's part of the service we pay for."
Emboldened, Sienna pulled out her phone and started recording. *Just wait*, she thought, *I'll post this in the class group and shame them*.
The manager, obliged to represent the restaurant's patrons, addressed Grayson and Chloe calmly: "I'm sorry, sir and ma'am, but our facilities are reserved for diners. Please leave now."
Chloe's face burned, mortified on Grayson's account. *Grayson, this prank is out of hand!* she thought.
She tugged at his arm. "Let's go—please, Grayson."
But Grayson instead stood tall, meeting the manager's eyes.
"We're not leaving," he said firmly.
Sienna laughed haughtily. "Look at them—poor and rude, refusing to budge as if they have the right!" She turned to the manager. "Kick them out! They're ruining our evening. Remember, we're *regular* Michelin patrons—if you can't handle this, we won't come back!"
She didn't blink as she lied about their loyalty—this was her first time here, but she played the part of a frequent guest.
The manager's expression hardened. She clipped a walkie-talkie to her belt, ready to call security. Sienna's eyes glowed: *Great—if they haul them out, I'll have the best footage ever.*
"Sir," the manager repeated, "I'm sorry—but you must leave immediately."
Grayson held his ground and met Sienna's smirk. Then, in a calm, resolute voice, he said,
"I have a reservation."
（The upcomingplot will only get more and more exciting, and I believe this novel won't disappoint you. Ifyou enjoy mywork, please bookmark it andsupport it—your support is my greatest motivation to keep creating exciting stories. Also, this novel already has a 1million-word draft completed, so I guarantee it will not end abruptly. I will bring it to a satisfying conclusion!）