"Calling the principal won't help," Melany said scathingly. "Are you really trying to sabotage our date on purpose, Allison?"

Before she could finish, a middle-aged man, the restaurant manager, arrived, drawn by the commotion. Colton, recognizing him, swelled with arrogance, waving his silver card like a trophy. "We claimed the top-floor room!"

Melany, seeing the manager approach, smiled smugly. "My apologies, Allison and Rebecca. I didn't mean for things to get so awkward. How about I treat you two to dinner to smooth things over?"

"Fuck you! I don't need your pity party," Rebecca retorted, determined to secure the VIP room.

But the manager's attention shifted completely. Upon seeing Allison, his surprise morphed into amazement, then pure joy. Ignoring Colton's silver card, he bowed deeply. "You should have called earlier! We would have rolled out the red carpet for you."

"How has your boss been lately?" Allison asked calmly. "It's been a while since I've dined here. I seem to have misplaced my black card, but I trust the promises made to me still stand."

The manager froze, bewildered. Allison was clearly in charge, but why her phrasing? His confusion vanished as he met her gaze. "Of course, Miss Clarke. Not only do you still have your black card, but you enjoy exclusive privileges. When you dine here, we clear the place just for you!"

He turned to the stunned waiters. "What are you waiting for? Prepare the upstairs dining room! Treat Miss Clarke as if she were the owner."

Melany was speechless, her confident smile frozen in disbelief. Allison had a black card? Colton was equally stunned. "There has to be a mistake! There are only ten black cards in the world, and there's no way this woman has one!"

Melany, trying to regain control, raised her voice to the curious onlookers. "Colton is right! How can you close the restaurant to anyone who comes in?"

The manager's demeanor turned icy. "I am fully aware you are a silver card holder," he replied stiffly. "But Mrs. Clarke's status exceeds even that of a black card holder. And if Mrs. Clarke wanted to close the restaurant permanently, we would comply without hesitation."

Colton's jaw dropped. This was unbelievable. He couldn't comprehend Allison possessing a black card. Angry and cornered, he turned sarcastic. "Where's your black card? Do you have any proof? Or are you going to do like Rebecca and say you conveniently forgot it?"

A cold sweat ran down the manager's back, but Allison's silence prevented him from speaking. He was already considering revoking Colton's silver membership.

Allison looked at Colton with a puzzled expression. "It's just a card. Why would I carry it around? And regardless of someone's status, Jasmine Restaurant rules don't allow cutting in line." She reflected on Colton's decline since their divorce. This dinner reservation had become a spectacle of his entitlement. The more she looked at him, the more repulsive he seemed.

Melany intervened, feigning innocence. "Don't be upset, Allison. It's okay if you forgot your black card. There's always the fingerprint check. I know you have integrity, but not everyone will believe it. Someone less trustworthy might even spread suspicion that you get special treatment…" Her voice was syrupy, her eyes wide. "I'm just being honest. I hope you don't take this the wrong way. But if you really do have a black card, it wouldn't hurt to confirm it, right?"

"You wouldn't dare!" Colton scoffed, convinced Allison was lying. "If she wasn't bluffing, she wouldn't trust the manager without proof. I didn't expect Jasmine Restaurant to lower their standards. Letting anyone in these days… One wrong move, and you can offend the real bigwigs. I wouldn't be surprised if this place goes bust before long."