Chapter 38: Chapter 38

Chapter 38 The Feast Restaurant

Martin turned around and saw a familiar figure. He glanced at the manager of the Feast Restaurant, who mocked and threatened Martin during the last encounter that they had.

"It's you again!" He said as he strode forward to them both. "How the heck do you two have the nerve to come back? I told you, you're nothing here. Do you expect some idiot to believe you because of your agony? I'm the manager here. Not you." He exclaimed as his words were full of disdain.

Martin's face sank. He was already very upset about the last time they saw the manager, yet even though he hadn't even done anything to get into trouble this time, he had felt discriminated against from the way the manager spoke to them.

"Excuse me! Watch how you speak; do you know who is standing beside me?" The fat man shouted at the manager with an unhappy face.

"I know. Of course, I know. Last time, you said that he was the grandson of Morgan Gracie, the richest man in California." The manager chuckled. "You think I would believe that he is the grandson of Morgan Gracie?" Several waiters who stood next to them couldn't help but laugh at Martin and the man.

Then, the manager turned around and said viciously, "You two are playing tricks with me, get out of here right now!"

"What? Why? Your business is clearly open, why should we leave?" Martin said as his face darkened with rage.

"Of course, it's open. However, we only welcome esteemed and wealthy guests. And not poor men like you. Where do you get the audacity to come here and claim that you are the grandson of the richest man in this city?" The manager was appalled.

At this time, one of the staff who had just helped Martin lead the way could not help but interrupt. "Manager, they are still hotel guests after all. Shouldn't we treat them the same way how we would treat others?" She said.

The manager felt offended. He thought that it was quite disrespectful for one of the employees to dictate what he should and shouldn't do. "What? How dare you defy me in front of these misfits?" He shouted.

She was reprimanded. But she couldn't help thinking that what the manager had wanted was totally unfair. "I just don't think it's right for you to treat guests this way." The woman exclaimed in a frail voice.

"Do you really think you know better than me?" The lobby manager questioned her. "If you think you know what's right and wrong, I think you should know that it's only right if you leave this place. Your internship is over. Get out and bring these two with you!" He shouted as he pointed out the door.

The lady was left speechless. She begged him to give her another chance, but he insisted and didn't even bother listening to her. She tried to keep herself calm as she didn't let a single tear fall from her eyes. She looked at the manager and just nodded once she knew that there was no longer a point to keep staying.

"Wait a minute!" Martin said as he reached out to stop the lady. "Ma'am, it's not you who should go, but him!" He stated as he looked down at the manager with a piercing stare.

"You get out of here at once! You're fired!" Martin fiercely shouted at the manager.

"Me? Fired? Are you out of your mind? Not only that you had the guts to come right back here, yet you speak to me as if you're the one paying me." The manager said.

"Congratulations! It seems that you have already figured it out. I have bought the Feast Restaurant and from now on, you would be needing to call me 'Sir', since I am your new boss." Martin smirked and said proudly.

The manager couldn't believe his own ears. To him, he was only a poor boy with no dreams or even the slightest chance of living a grand lifestyle in the future. He was only meant to be a subservient man and nothing else.

"You can't even buy your own meals. Who do you think you're fooling?" The manager sneered as several waiters began to laugh even harder.

Martin's phone suddenly rang.

But instead of answering, he handed it to the manager and insisted him to answer it.

The manager was hesitant, but just as he was about to speak, he looked at the screen and noticed the caller ID. Upon seeing it, he realized that it belonged to his boss. The manager quickly answered the phone.

"Boss." The manager stated as he appeared respectful.

"Oh, it's good that you answered my call, Will. I've been trying to get a hold of you. I would just like to say that the owner of this phone is the new owner of the Feast Restaurant." The man on the phone said.

The manager's face suddenly turned pale. He couldn't utter a single word from what he had just heard.

"Hold on. This kid bought this place? But why? The restaurant has always made a good profit! Why did you want to sell it?" He protested.

"The reason is very simple. I have no reason not to sell." The boss exclaimed. "He's the chairman of the C City branch of Gold Group, and he offered a great price that I couldn't say no to at all. Besides, you're in good hands now."

At that moment, the lobby manager was left befuddled. He had only gotten more confused as each second passed. For him, it was just a load of cobblers. However deep down in his mind, he was slowly realizing things. His heart fell into an abyss in an instant as he thought about how much he disrespected the chairman of the C City branch. He couldn't look up at Martin's face. He just gripped on the phone as his hand shook in panic.

"Will? If you're still there, I'll be hanging up now. I shall talk to you in another time. Good luck and make sure your new boss feels at home. It was a pleasant time to work with all of you." The call ended as the beeping noise had woken up the manager from a trance.

However, the lobby manager was stuck in the same place and could not recover for a long time.

Martin took his phone and inquired. "What did he tell you? Do you still find me being here greatly embarrassing?"

"I deeply apologize, Sir." The manager's tone shifted. "I wasn't in the right mind to act the way I acted. Please Sir, I hope you understand." he cried. Martin stepped forward and continued in his cold voice, "The last time that I was here, I had said that my wallet was stolen. But you kept insisting that I was just a penniless man taking advantage of you. Do you think I'm a fool to believe in this nonsense of an act you're giving me?" He huffed.

The manager apologized for not recognizing such an impressive character. His face was filled with regret. He couldn't even dare to look at Martin with a straight face.

"In that case, you can get out of here." Martin demanded as he pointed out of the door once more.

"Please Mr. Don't kick me out. I know I was wrong, and I apologize for the way I behaved. Please don't fire me, Sir. I need this job. " The lobby manager begged for mercy.

"Do you think it's possible?" Martin turned to the man beside him and smiled coldly.

The man grabbed the manager's arm and pulled him out of Martin's view. "Get out of here right now or else we'll be forced to kick you out of this place." He pushed him away as he continued to scold him. "Didn't you hear me? Get out!" Martin furiously shouted. His tone was harsh, but he couldn't let the lobby manager stay. His behavior and attitude were something that he could not tolerate at all. Their reputation would go down in flames if he lets a person like him keep working at the restaurant.

The lobby manager walked out as remorse washed over his once proud expression.

After he had left, Martin looked at the lady next to him. "What's your name?" he asked her.

"Boss, I.. My name is Lisa." The waitress stuttered.

"Alright then. It's good to meet you, Lisa. From now on, I'm promoting you to lobby manager." Martin stated with a sure look in his eyes.

"I'm the lobby manager?" Her jaw dropped in surprise. "But sir, I'm not sure if I would be able to do it well." The waitress said weakly.

"Don't worry. I believe in you and that you'll be able to do a good job. There's lots of things to say about a person's character. From what you did earlier, it already shows how much you value other people." Martin stated as he smiled and patted her on the shoulder.

Then, Martin turned his head and scanned the other waiters around the room. They bowed and greeted him as he looked and nodded to every one of them. He smiled and told them to pay their respects to the man beside him as well. The man looked astounded as he greeted them back with great pleasure. He was flattered as it was unexpected for Martin to suddenly give him this kind of treatment.

"Don't worry about anything else. You and I are brothers! I owe you so many things in my life and I just want to say that the other half of this restaurant belongs to you. You're a good man and I want to have you here by my side to run this place." Martin said with a gleeful expression.

The man couldn't help himself but smile widely as Martin let out these words. He was unable to say anything other than a "thank you". However, Martin knew that he wanted to say more. Yet for him, he is more grateful for everything that he has done for the both of them. It was a priceless act to pay. Afterwards, under the help of a large number of waiters, Martin and the fat man sat down for dinner.

In just a few minutes and right in the middle of their meal, the fat man received a phone call. It was Neil.

"Please help me! I was beaten up at the Moon Internet Bar. Come quick!" He said.

Silence filled up the entire room. Martin heard the voice across the table as it was as loud as thunder, fueled with panic and disorientation.