Chapter 316: Chapter 316: Aren’t You Afraid of Offending Me?
Zoe Hayes, as if possessed, stood up without thinking.
"I-I need to go to the restroom too."
Warren Prescott stopped in his tracks, looking at Zoe Hayes with a half-smile.
"Didn’t Miss Hayes just return from the restroom with Minister Hayes? What’s wrong, did you eat something bad?"
Hank Hayes had used the excuse of being a "direction-challenged" person needing Zoe to take him to the restroom to call her out earlier.
So to those in the private room, it did seem like she had just returned from the restroom.
Zoe’s face turned scarlet in an instant, feeling utterly embarrassed.
"No, I didn’t..."
"Oh, then why are you going to the restroom?"
Warren Prescott asked, appearing oblivious to Zoe Hayes’ embarrassment.
Zoe’s face went from red to white, then black.
She finally understood that Warren was doing it on purpose.
Just like her dad said, he didn’t think highly of her at all.
Just because she came from a small place and her father’s position wasn’t high enough?
In Riverton, Zoe was someone of considerable influence.
Ever since she could remember, it was always her making others uncomfortable, never had anyone put her in such a position.
Biting her lip and suppressing the urge to cry, she shook her head and said in a hoarse voice, "No, I misspoke. I’m not going."
"Then please, continue enjoying your meal, Miss Hayes. I’ll excuse myself."
Warren Prescott wore a polite yet distant smile on his face as he turned to leave.
But the moment he turned around, the smile on his face disappeared instantly.
Zoe had been staring at him, which he had already noticed.
He thought if he kept a cold face, Zoe would sense his attitude and back off.
Who knew, Zoe Hayes didn’t get the hint and even considered following him to the "restroom."
He had no choice but to show his worst attitude.
He preferred a clean cut over dragging things on.
This way, when they meet again at Aethelgard University, she wouldn’t try to approach him.
Anyway, there were only her parents in the private room, no one else, and Lars Prescott was no stranger to his attitude, so Zoe wouldn’t be too humiliated.
Warren quickly put Zoe’s matter behind him, striding to the railing on the second floor.
From his vantage point, Ashley Shaw was clearly visible.
She looked truly beautiful tonight.
However, his mind was filled with images of her following him like a little tail in the past.
That version of her was far more memorable.
Sadly, it seemed he would find that hard to witness again.
But how did she get into this place?
Warren’s gaze finally shifted slightly.
Owen Sinclair, Shane Coleman, they were all old acquaintances.
But the one he knew best was Leo.
Warren’s eyes subtly changed, with an inexplicable look in them.
Yesterday, Leo had invited Ashley for lunch, and since her lunchtime was taken by him, did it turn into dinner?
Coming to The Nocturne for dinner, Leo must have made quite a lot these couple of years.
It’s just that he’s not yet sure what Leo is planning.
Before the Quincy Family incident, Leo was quite the playboy, changing girlfriends one after another, never seeing him genuinely care for any girl.
After the Quincy Family incident, Leo had completely changed his ways.
He stopped getting involved with women, but now... has he set his eyes on Ashley?
If he’s sincere, Warren can compete fairly, but if it’s just a game like before...
Then don’t blame Warren for not treating him as a brother.
Warren looked aside again and saw someone bending over, talking to someone on the right whom he couldn’t see.
From his angle, the view was unobstructed.
Warren’s gaze deepened.
Most ancient clothes were wrapped tightly, but the costumes of The Empyrean Dynasty were an exception.
The Empyrean Dynasty had the most open clothing style of ancient times, which led to Ashley Shaw’s current appearance...
Perhaps he should suggest changing The Nocturne’s theme to The Aurelian Dynasty or The Era of Strife.
...
Downstairs, Ashley Shaw was bending over to talk to Owen Sinclair, who was beside Ariana Grant.
At this moment, male dancers were performing martial arts.
Ashley Shaw said, "Uncle Owen, if you went up there, you’d definitely outshine them."
Owen Sinclair had made his debut with an action film, so these martial arts performances should be a piece of cake for him.
Owen Sinclair chuckled and lightly shook his head, "I’m too old now, how can I compare with these young people? Last year, while filming an action scene on horseback in a period film, I injured my back and it took a while to recover."
Ashley Shaw quickly asked, "How’s your recovery now?"
Owen Sinclair replied, "I’m all better now. For us actors, getting injured is part of the routine."
Shane Coleman took the opportunity to say, "Then you should stop taking on action roles and maybe try out the occasional romantic film, give the audience a middle-aged romance to enjoy."
This comment made everyone burst into laughter.
Ashley Shaw laughed so hard her headpiece jingled with a crisp sound.
Yet at that moment, Ashley suddenly felt as if someone was watching her.
She instinctively looked around but found everyone engrossed in the performance.
The performance was at its climax, with one performer holding a spear level, the tip pressing against his throat.
Another performer was pushing the spear until it bent into a frightening arc...
All the spectators held their breath, fearing any slip could result in the tip piercing the performer’s throat.
For this reason, no one was looking around, everyone focused on the performance.
Was it just an illusion?
Ashley returned her gaze to the performance, watching intently.
Second floor.
Warren Prescott slowly emerged from behind a pillar.
Seeing Ashley Shaw no longer looking around, he motioned to a waiter at The Nocturne, whispering a few words.
The waiter’s expression changed slightly, "But if we ask them to leave now, I’m afraid we’ll offend the guests."
Warren Prescott lifted his eyelids, "Aren’t you afraid of offending me?"
Besides, who asked him to kick them out? Just relocating them from the box to the downstairs hall.
Who knows if the eyes of those in the upstairs box are wandering around?
If by chance they glance down and catch a glimpse of some indecently positioned audience members, who would take the blame?
The waiter agreed but didn’t immediately act after leaving; instead, he sought out the manager in charge of the second-floor box.
Upon hearing it was Warren’s instructions, the manager immediately berated the waiter.
"If you don’t want to work, just leave! You won’t even listen to the boss, and come to ask me? If you want to die, don’t drag me down with you!"
After that, the manager hurried to the box to "usher out" the people.
Those able to enter The Nocturne are already either wealthy or noble.
Customers able to access the second-floor boxes are even more prestigious; they’ve never been relocated from upstairs to downstairs.
However, upon hearing it was on Warren’s behalf, he immediately softened his expression and put on a friendly smile.
"Since Mr. Prescott Jr. needs to use the box, we’ll certainly accommodate. Let’s go, fellas, we’ll head downstairs for a close-up view of the show."
Others chimed in agreement.
"Honestly, I’ve wanted to get a closer look downstairs for a while. Watching from up here strains the neck; mine is stiff already."
"Let’s go, let’s go, close-up view of the beauties."
The manager knew it would turn out this way.
But formalities couldn’t be overlooked.
"The beverages you ordered will be brought down shortly. Apologies for the inconvenience... This is a small gesture from Mr. Prescott Jr., hope you won’t mind."
He said, handing each one a lifetime VIP card to The Nocturne.