Chapter 21

Seeing Naomi show no interest in greeting him, Silas ignored her and continued smiling at Robert. "Mr. Zabinski," he said, "my name is Silas Sacchi. On your last visit, you spent $150,000 at our bar. The manager reloaded your membership card with an additional $150,000, but neglected to inform you. I've been unable to reach you until now, so I'm here to return your card."

Silas's voice was moderate, yet easily audible to those at nearby tables. The two women with Naomi were astonished. "He spent $150,000?" they thought incredulously. They had been quite impressed by a host spending roughly $6,000, but the thought of $150,000 was staggering. When Kendrick opened a $15,000 bottle of wine, they had practically thrown themselves at him. They never expected Naomi's seemingly insignificant companion to have spent such a sum. One woman thought, "Oh my! $150,000! Someone who can spend that much at a bar is incredibly wealthy! Especially all at once—he must be some kind of heir!"

The two men who had previously mocked and insulted Robert were speechless, mortified by their earlier behavior. They wished they could disappear. The man who had opened three bottles of Armand de Brignac stared at Robert and then at Naomi, feeling foolish and regretful. He thought, "Why did I try to show off? I maxed out my credit card on those three bottles of wine! They're nothing compared to someone who spent $150,000 at once!"

Kendrick, seated next to Marilyn, stood up, looking confused. "Mr. Sacchi," he asked, "are you sure? Did you say he spent $150,000 in one go?" He'd assumed his $15,000 wine purchase would impress Marilyn and her friends, but Robert's extravagance had completely overshadowed him. "Is that even possible?" he wondered.

Naomi's table watched intently, hoping Silas would admit a mistake. He glanced at Kendrick and replied, "Sir, I never err when serving our bar's VIPs. Mr. Zabinski, here is your card." He mused, My boss was sitting next to Mr. Zabinski earlier. There's no way I'm mistaken.

Robert examined the card, then looked at Kendrick, a sneer playing on his lips. Naomi's still trying to flaunt her wealth. She gave me another $150,000. I'll use this opportunity to humiliate Kendrick.

Addressing Silas, Robert asked, "Mr. Sacchi, there's $150,000 loaded on this card, correct?"

"Yes, Mr. Zabinski," Silas confirmed.

Robert gestured towards the DJ booth. "I heard the DJ making an announcement earlier about someone ordering drinks."

Silas replied sheepishly, "Yes, sir, that's a service we offer."

"Good," Robert said, pointing to the card. "I'd like to spend the $150,000 on one hundred bottles of Armand de Brignac, and I want the DJ to make another announcement for me."

"Certainly, sir," Silas said, signaling to the bar manager, who immediately approached. "One hundred bottles of Armand de Brignac for Mr. Zabinski."

Robert smiled. "Give two bottles to each table. And the DJ wished Mr. Zabel and Ms. Quesnell a happy future, didn't he? Tell him to add, 'and I hope they break up.'"