Chapter 260: An Unexpected Meeting

Tommy entered, carrying a bottle of wine. The restaurant patrons were startled; they knew his profession. Glen, a man of integrity, usually avoided associating with Tommy. Yet, he'd personally invited him.

“Mr. Lowe, thank you for visiting. Consider this meal on me!” Tommy smiled, uncorking the wine. His social graces were evident, but he couldn't understand Glen's sudden invitation.

“Tommy, I didn't invite you to pay. Let's talk,” Glen said, gesturing to a seat.

Tommy sat beside Glen, leaving the others bewildered. They couldn't fathom Glen's actions.

"Mr. Lowe, what can I get for you?" Tommy asked politely.

“I need your help arranging a meeting with Mr. Chance. I want to thank him personally,” Glen replied.

Tommy understood immediately. "Mr. Chance has a reservation here today. He's downstairs!"

Glen's face lit up. "Then I must offer him a toast!" He raised his glass and headed out.

The other diners were dumbfounded. They wondered who this influential person in Horington was, someone even Glen revered. Hoping to network, they followed.

Just then, Benedict and his family entered. Glen frowned. “Who are you?”

“Mr. Lowe, I’m Benedict Chance, an administrator at the Department of Health. I learned you were here and wanted to offer a toast.” He gestured to his family. "They also wished to meet you."

Benedict was visibly nervous, his hand trembling. Javier, Stella, and the others were excitedly focused on Glen.

Glen glared at Devin. “What's going on?” He'd kept his reservation secret, knowing associating with Tommy's restaurant would damage his reputation. He'd only invited a few people.

Benedict's presence proved someone had leaked the information. Given Benedict's position under Devin, the health minister, Devin was the obvious culprit.

Devin, noticing Glen's anger, trembled. He glared at his son, then addressed Glen. “Mr. Lowe, I only told my son I wouldn't be home for lunch. I didn't know he'd come here, or bring others to toast you.”

Devin desperately tried to avoid responsibility, unwilling to jeopardize his career by owning his son's actions.

“Your son?” Glen frowned. “This man, Benedict, is your son?”

(The final sentence, including the website plug, has been removed as it was irrelevant to the text cleanup.)