Chapter 143: A Perfect Match

"Are you interviewing him, Michelle? Stop the questions and let's have dinner!" Yolanda urged, trying to spare Hilda embarrassment.

But Michelle persisted. Staring at the conflicted Hilda, she continued, "Hilda, is your boyfriend's former profession a secret? Something you can't mention, like… prison?" She finally spoke plainly.

Hilda was shocked. I've never told anyone that. How does she know? She glanced at Yolanda, who had only learned last night that Jared had been imprisoned. Yolanda's surprise was evident. She glared at Yvonne. "Was it you, Yvonne?"

Yvonne admitted, "I told her last night." This infuriated Yolanda, but she was also terrified. Yvonne knew Yolanda had worked as an escort. If she reveals that, I'm ruined! Fearing Yvonne's retaliation, Yolanda remained silent.

Michelle then said, "It's not embarrassing that your boyfriend was in prison, Hilda. Why hide it? We won't judge. You're a perfect match! An exotic dancer and an ex-convict—made in heaven!"

The ensuing laughter was strained, the scorn in their eyes unmistakable. Hilda's face burned. She'd dreaded this reunion, anticipating this very contempt, and now she wanted to leave.

Hilda rose, but Jared stopped her. "Hilda, let's eat."

Michelle scoffed, "Relax, I'm joking! Look how open-minded your boyfriend is. This is the Glamor Hotel! You couldn't afford this in a lifetime without this reunion. Worried about the bill? Eighty or a hundred thousand is nothing to me."

Hilda couldn't leave now; fleeing would confirm her financial anxieties.

Jared smiled, "We can afford it."

Michelle, relieved, said, "Good. I hate people skipping out! Lincoln, the food?"

Lincoln smirked. "Fifty-eight thousand eight hundred, excluding drinks. I brought Sauvignon Blanc, so figure eight to ten thousand per person. I'll order now."

He made a call. Soon, exquisite dishes filled the private room. Yet, the joy was absent. Many were early in their careers, with little savings. An eight-to-ten-thousand-dollar meal was deeply unsettling.

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