Chapter 149

Phoebe's suggestion was supported by both Maddox and Quintus. Maddox's eyes were filled with amusement. “Looks like we’re on the same page.” Since Joshua had been showing off, it would be a missed opportunity not to have some fun at his expense.

Phoebe gave Maddox an approving glance and smiled. “It’s still early. Let’s take a stroll first.” The other two nodded in agreement. “Sure.”

The rooms where they were watching the fireworks were all suites with large beds, each one private and without interference. They had slept well earlier, and now they were full of energy.

The three of them, along with the viewers from the live stream, walked around the nearby shopping street with its unique charm. When the time was right, they took a taxi to the restaurant.

The restaurant had an elegant atmosphere, and the server led them to a prominent table in the main hall. This restaurant had an average per-person cost of around two thousand dollars, so the three didn’t worry about the price while ordering. They chose the restaurant’s most famous specialty dishes.

While waiting for the food to arrive, Reece walked over to the area with the piano and sat down, starting to play. Reece’s piano skills were pretty good, and he was also one of Solara City’s top influencers. Many Epunians in the restaurant recognized him, and they quickly pulled out their phones to take pictures.

After finishing one song, Reece switched with Jamar. Jamar was another top influencer, and diners who recognized him continued snapping photos. As Reece stood up to let Jamar take over, he inadvertently noticed Phoebe and the others sitting not far away. He froze for a moment, clearly surprised that they were dining here.

Reece walked over to a nearby table to sit and wait for his next turn to play with Jamar, but his eyes kept drifting toward Phoebe. “This is a bit awkward, but at least I can keep looking at Phoebe,” he wondered.

Phoebe, of course, noticed that Reece kept staring at her, but she didn’t look back at him. Maddox noticed the rotation between Reece and Jamar at the piano. He couldn’t help but ask, “Where are the other two?”

Phoebe replied, “I guess they’re probably serving the other guests on their own.” Upon hearing this, Maddox understood. He grinned mischievously. “Since we’re all here together, and we’re guests on the same variety show, why not give them a chance and request a…”

Phoebe chuckled lightly. “Sure, why not.”

Maddox called over a server and inquired. Sure enough, there was a service available for a violin performance on request. As long as their total bill reached a thousand dollars, they wouldn’t need to pay separately for the violinist. If they enjoyed the performance, they could leave a tip. Since their bill had already reached that amount, the service was included.

The server quickly went to find Sienna and Joshua, informing them that there were guests requesting the violin. The two of them grabbed their instruments from the back and, smiling, followed the server into the main hall.

When they reached the table and saw Phoebe and the others sitting there, Sienna and Joshua’s smiles instantly froze. Joshua couldn’t hold back and asked, “What are you all doing here?”

Phoebe smiled sweetly. “We’re here for dinner. Is there a problem?”

Joshua looked at the three of them whom he was supposed to be serving and felt incredibly frustrated, his face turning sour. “You’re just here to eat. Why are you asking for a violin performance too!”

Phoebe raised an eyebrow. “We paid for the experience. Since we’ve reached the required spending, why shouldn’t we enjoy it? Is this how you treat customers?”

Joshua had never done this kind of work in his life, let alone serve people like them. He felt deeply resentful. This was exactly the effect Phoebe and Maddox had been hoping for.

Maddox, standing nearby, teased Joshua. “Your service attitude isn’t very good. If you keep this up, I might have to file a complaint and get the manager to deduct your wages.”

The server, also an Epanian, who overheard their conversation, immediately turned to Joshua and said, “The customer is always right. Their requests, as long as they’re reasonable, must be fulfilled.”

The attitude of the violinist was truly appalling. No wonder the customers were unhappy. Joshua silently complained. “Damn it, I don’t want to do this anymore,” he wondered.

Sienna was worried that Joshua might snap and quit, which would put her in an awkward position as well and she’d be scolded by the viewers in the live stream. Sienna forced a somewhat strained smile and looked at Maddox. “What would the three of you like to hear?”

Phoebe was the one Sienna was supposed to serve, which made Sienna feel incredibly frustrated and uncomfortable at the moment. So, Sienna didn’t look at Phoebe and instead kept repeating in her mind, “Phoebe isn’t here. Yes, she isn’t here!”

Originally, Sienna had hoped to use the opportunity to showcase her violin skills to the audience, hoping for generous tips and a chance to impress Maddox. She even dreamed of taking Reece and the two brothers to a nice hotel later that evening. If she pleased them, she might gain their fans and the viewers’ admiration, who would think she was both talented and thoughtful.

What she hadn’t expected was to eagerly bring her violin, only to see the last people she wanted to encounter. Serving in front of Maddox felt like she was belittled. Sienna had hoped for an equal connection, where Maddox would see her potential and fall for her. Then, she would have the chance to date him, leave the entertainment industry, and marry into the Hooper family, a top-tier family.

Now, everything felt humiliating. The more she thought about it, the more unfair it seemed, and she felt like crying. But she knew she couldn’t let her emotions get the better of her. If she did, not only would she leave a bad impression on the viewers, but Maddox might think she had a terrible temper. So, Sienna forced a stiff smile, trying to appear graceful while they made their requests.

Maddox didn’t like it. He noticed Sienna’s eyes subtly lingering on him, as though she saw him as an irresistible prize she wanted to claim. He wasn’t unfamiliar with that kind of gaze. Many women who sought to climb into his circle looked at him the same way. But Sienna was more arrogant, thinking he should see her as special.

Sienna had approached him before, only to be coldly rejected. Now, she still hadn’t given up. It disgusted him. He wasn’t one of those tasteless Jenkins brothers. If someone like Maddox was displeased, he wouldn’t let that person feel comfortable.

He looked at Sienna and said, “If you don’t want to smile, don’t force it. It’s ruining the mood and appetite for our meal.” His words were a clear message that her forced smile was nauseating to him.

Sienna was stunned by Maddox’s rude remark. She couldn’t believe he was treating her like this in front of everyone, and it left her feeling utterly wronged. “How could he mock me like this in front of everyone! Phoebe must have said so many bad things about me to Maddox behind my back. That’s why he misunderstood and is now targeting me,” Sienna thought.

She couldn’t hold back her tears and her eyes started to redden. “I–I didn’t mean to…”

Maddox furrowed his brow. “I’m just making a suggestion, and you’re already tearing up, looking like you’re about to cry.” Then, Maddox leaned toward Phoebe’s direction, trying to distance himself from Sienna. “You’d better not blame me for this. I won’t…”

Sienna was infuriated. That moment, she realized just how overbearing Maddox really was. If it weren’t for Maddox’s handsome face, his status in the entertainment industry, and his impressive background, there’s no way I’d even care about him, she thought.

Feeling deeply wronged, Sienna was comforted by Joshua, who instinctively reached out to hold her. “He’s just being ridiculous. Don’t bother you. If you’re not happy, we can quit this job right now.”

Joshua didn’t want to serve Phoebe, Maddox, or Quintus, whom he found very irritating. Just the thought of playing the violin for them, making them an audience to his performance, made Joshua feel embarrassed and uncomfortable. Leaving now seemed like a good idea.