Chapter 479
Right now, the crowd in front of the airport arrival gate was shifting to one side- drawn toward an elegant woman standing calmly among them.
Her long red hair fell down her back like a blazing waterfall, and the luxury dress she wore traced every perfect line of her figure. Branded sunglasses hid her eyes, but nothing could dull the force of her beauty.
Smooth skin, sharp features, fiery red lips-up close, she was easily on the same level as Sofina Scheinwald, the famed beauty of Winchester. Different styles, different strengths, but equal in allure.
Everyone waiting outside turned to stare, caught in the gravity of her presence.
Even Gerhard froze on the spot, stunned.
“One smile of hers can tilt a city’s walls;
How could a heart remain untaken?
In a single glance, a thousand hopes awaken p>
“She really lives up to the reputation of the Winter family’s daughter,” he muttered, almost breathless. “Her beauty is insane p>
Envy twisted on Beatrix face. She scoffed, “Please. Any rich woman with unlimited skincare will look stunning. Even a pig could look gorgeous with enough money p>
At that moment, they spotted Alex moving straight toward Renata.
Gerhard snapped to attention. “Move. We can’t let that loser reach Renata first.” Alex approached, calm and direct. “Hey, are you Renata Winter? Sofina’s friend?” But Gerhard and Beatrix rushed in front of him like guard dogs.
“Miss Winter,” Gerhard said quickly, straightening his posture, “long time no see. Since our last meeting at the Royal University in the capital p>
Renata Winter had met Sofina back in college, and the two became best friends.
Sofina had introduced her cousins too, so Renata and Gerhard were already familiar with each other-though not exactly close.
“Hi, Gerhard and Beatrix. It’s been a while,” Renata replied with a warm smile.
A spark flared in Gerhard’s chest at her voice. He leaned in with sudden confidence. “Yeah, long time no see. You’ve become even more beautiful p>
Renata laughed softly. “Coming from the Prince charming of Winchester, that means something, you know p>
Gerhard’s heart lurched. In that instant, he felt his chances double.
“Renata, I booked a table at a famous restaurant and a suite in the best hotel in Winchester just for your arrival. Come with me-I want to welcome you properly p>
Renata glanced at Alex, who had stayed quiet the entire time. Then she turned back to Gerhard with an apologetic smile.
“Gerhard, I’m really sorry. I already accepted Sofina’s invitation. Rain check on the drink, okay? I’ll be in Winchester for quite a while-we’ll have plenty of chances to meet p>
The hopeful spark in Gerhard’s chest snapped. Irritation flooded in, sharp and hot.
Alex Saint-Claire-the loser, the mistake of the family-had ruined his perfect moment. On today of all days.
His tone sharpened instantly, dripping sarcasm.
“Renata, I didn’t just book any place. I reserved a table at The Imperial Amber House-Winchester’s most famous restaurant. And the suite I got?” He smirked. “The Golden Suite. Booked under my gold member status p>
The Imperial Amber House was one of the top restaurant chains in all of Prussia. Their membership system was brutal.
Golden rank in Winchester meant spending nearly half a million dollars a year. Most people could only dream of it.
But Gerhard forgot one thing: Renata Winter was the Duke’s daughter. She held a platinum card of her own.
She could walk into any Imperial Amber House in any country and be seated instantly. She simply chose not to mention it out of courtesy.
Gerhard shot Alex a contemptuous look, lips curling in a cruel grin.
“So, tell me… which restaurant did my lowborn step cousin-in-law book? Wouldn’t
it be embarrassing if he dragged you to some cheap, mediocre place p>
Alex blinked-genuinely surprised. Gerhard booked the Imperial Amber House too? What were the odds?
Countess Marlene had told him he practically owned the place. He had already arranged everything for Renata there.
Conrad’s jaw dropped.
“Damn, Gerhard-you actually pulled off a reservation at the Imperial Amber House? Not everyone can do that! I heard the waiting list is insane p>
Gerhard let out a loud, triumphant laugh. “Please. It’s a piece of cake p>
But behind that smug grin was nothing but empty bragging.
The truth? To secure the Golden Suite, Baroness Wolfsbane had hunted down the original guests and paid them five times the price just to make them give up their reservation.
She was desperate-fighting tooth and nail for even the smallest chance to connect Gerhard with Renata-the Duke’s daughter.
Renata, on the other hand, had been there so many times she was practically bored of it. If anything, she preferred something new.
Something real.
“We’re all friends,” she said gently. “You don’t need to make such extravagant preparations for me p>
Gerhard smirked, trying to play charming.
“Oh no, Renata. You’re our honored guest. How could I treat you like some ordinary friend p>
Then he swung his gaze to Alex, sneering. “So, tell me what did you book? A street-food stall p>
Renata’s eyes lit up suddenly. “I love street food p>
“Miss Winter,” Gerhard said quickly, panicked she might mean it, “you’re being too kind. You’re only saying that to spare Sofina’s feelings. But that would embarrass you-people would blame the Wolfbane family later. You at least need the Imperial Amber House p>
Renata’s smile faltered for a moment, disappointment flickering in her eyes, but she kept it polite.
Conrad snorted. “Alex, what did you use to make your reservation? A buy-one- get-one-free dinner voucher? Or one of those cheap promo coupons p>
Gerhard scoffed. “Renata, I swear he’ll drag you to some place with plastic chairs p>
Alex didn’t even blink. “Relax. I don’t take people to the kind of places you hang out at p>
A few bystanders who overheard the exchange let out a low whistle. “Damn… burn p>
Gerhard snapped, “Laugh all you want. The staff at the Imperial Amber greet me personally p>
Alex shot back smoothly, “Yeah-usually with ‘Sir, your card was declined last time p>
Gerhard exploded, “THAT WAS A SYSTEM ERROR p>
Alex spoke calmly. “Well, I booked the Imperial Amber House too p>
Gerhard burst into laughter.
“Alex, stop before you choke on your own lies. You? Book anything there? You probably can’t even afford the cheapest suite! Don’t embarrass yourself p>
Alex shrugged with a quiet, unshakable confidence.
“Even if I’m bragging, what does it matter to you? I’m not inviting you to dinner. Why are you so desperate to interfere p>
Beatrix clicked her tongue, full of contempt.
“Hah! As if you could even walk through the doors of the Imperial Amber House p>
ed the entire
Renata watched
exchange, uneasy. She hated seeing
Alex being cornered like that. She knew the rumors-Alex the broke man, Alex the gardener at the Eden
Group, Alex the family
disappointment.
Still, he was Sofina’s husband-her best friend’s husband-and basic courtesy
was necessary.
And more than that, Renata needed
him. He was her only real link to the Eden Group the one person she could quietly question, the one person who might give her the information she needed without raising suspicion.
to
She couldn’t afford to burn that bridge before she’d even taken her first step across it.
She’d also received a private message from Sofina, explaining that Alex was using his own money to take her to dinner and asking her to be patient with him.
There were never any secrets between them.
And Renata was certain of one thing: there was no way Alex could realistically book a suite at the most expensive restaurant in Winchester.
She assumed he only said it to protect the last shred of dignity he had left-and
she didn’t want to watch him get shredded for it.
So she stepped in fast.
“Hey, let’s stop arguing, okay? Since both of you booked the same place, why
don’t we all just go together p>
Gerhard shot Alex a venomous glare.
“Fine. For Renata’s sake, I’ll let you tag along. Think of it as a charity meal. Maybe
you’ll finally learn what a real high-end restaurant looks like p>
Alex didn’t bother responding. He just smirked.
Right then, a luxury long-range flying limousine slid to a stop in front of them. The
door opened smoothly, almost silently.
Alex gestured. “Miss Winter-after you p>
Gerhard’s eyes widened in shock.
Beatrix immediately sneered.
“Oh please. Sofina must’ve used Wolfbane money to rent this thing just to impress
her friend. What a pathetic waste p>
Gerhard, seeing Renata already stepping inside, hurried forward.
“Well, since Sofina already spent the family’s money on this car, of course we
should all use it p>
Alex let out a quiet sigh.
He wished he could throw this entire stupid welcoming routine out the window. But
Sofina wanted this, so here he was-enduring them.
Inside the
car
Gerhard threw himself into full performance mode.
He talked nonstop, bragging about
his military career how his quick decisions won battles, how commanders praised him, how he practically carried the war on his back.
Renata nodded politely, but Alex saw the truth-she was bored out of her mind. Gerhard, naturally, couldn’t read the room if his life depended on it.
Gerhard lifted his chin proudly. “Renata, when we arrive, I’ll make sure the staff
recognize you as my VIP guest p>
Alex raised an eyebrow. “Yours p>
“Of course,” Gerhard said, full of himself. “The Imperial Amber staff know me very
well p>
Alex nodded slowly. “Yeah. I heard they even greet you by name p>
Renata looked curious. “Really p>
“Sure,” Alex said smoothly. “Sir Gerhard, please stop shouting about your
membership in the lobby-it’s embarrassing p>
Gerhard’s face flushed red. “Alex! Show some respect p>
Alex shrugged, calm as ever. “I am. Believe it or not-that was me being gentle p>
“You’re just petty and jealous!” Gerhard snapped. “I’m famous. Everyone knows me. I’m the fastest-rising captain in Winchester—and the most handsome. I bet everyone here recognizes me p>
Without a word, Alex lowered his gaze and lifted his bracelet.
He tapped a quick message to Ernest, the chairman of the Imperial Amber House.
“Cancel the Wolfsbane family’s reservation for today p>
The reply came back almost instantly.
“Done p>
Alex’s fingers moved again, calm and precise.
“And when Gerhard Wolfsbane arrives, have all staff pretend they’ve never heard
of him p>
Another instant reply:
“Yes, Sir p>
A slow smile curved Alex’s lips.
He couldn’t wait to see Gerhard’s face later.