Chapter 179: Chapter 179: She Was the One Who Tried to Strike Up a Conversation
Ashley Shaw thought of this, and naturally, so did everyone else.
Everyone started to tease her.
"Go quickly and thank the boss, Ms. Xavier!"
"I hope you both become a couple."
"Remember to invite us to the wedding, Ms. Grant."
Ariana Grant added, "I’ve already thought of your kids’ names, want to hear them?"
Claire Xavier glared at everyone, and finally fixed her gaze on Ashley Shaw.
"You’re setting a great example, I’ll remember this! Next week’s lobster feast is on you!"
Ashley Shaw had an expression that said, "Go ahead, eat till I’m broke, if you can."
"Alright, Ms. Xavier, don’t be shy, go on, clearly he’s waiting for you to thank him!" Ariana Grant urged with a wink.
Claire Xavier looked helpless.
After her last relationship, she had lost all hope in romance.
Forget about some comic book hero, she wasn’t even interested in a perfect fantasy person.
However, Claire Xavier still stood up, put on her shoes, and walked toward the man.
She intended to tell him that she didn’t need help with the bill, she had plenty of money.
But when she reached the man, she found out that the bill was actually for Ashley Shaw.
The man didn’t expect Claire Xavier to come over to speak to him.
He thought he’d dropped pretty clear hints, having the staff talk to Ashley Shaw, yet there was still a mix-up.
Claire Xavier felt a little awkward.
But more than awkward, she was angry.
Why was everyone trying to steal her sister-in-law away from her?
Her brother’s chances were slim enough, and now there’s another quality guy in the picture, making it less likely they’d have Ashley join their family.
The man, in clumsy Chinese, asked, "Pretty lady, could you please ask that lady for her contact information for me?"
Claire Xavier shot him an unfriendly look.
"No way. She already has a boyfriend."
Claire Xavier said, handing him her black card.
"Could you please use this card to pay for us? We don’t like strangers covering our bills."
The man’s expression stiffened for a moment, but he quickly smiled again.
"Sure, miss. Sorry for the inconvenience. To apologize, how about I give you a 20% discount?"
He then carefully asked, "Is a discount acceptable?"
The man’s sincere attitude made Claire Xavier feel a bit embarrassed.
She wasn’t one to make a fuss, she was just worried about losing her sister-in-law, which is why she seemed unfriendly.
So Claire Xavier quickly smiled.
"Thank you, then. Next time a friend wants sushi, I’ll definitely recommend your restaurant."
The man smiled slightly and nodded, taking her card and leaving.
Ashley Shaw, observing from a distance, saw them glance over occasionally while talking, and saw Claire Xavier’s cold face handing the card. She knew the guy was out of luck.
But she also understood Ms. Xavier.
Having been deeply hurt in a relationship, she wasn’t going to easily open her heart again.
As she had experienced the same.
Though she’d moved on from Warren Prescott, she didn’t want to open up to anyone else.
She realized she had overstepped, not considering enough this time.
Just as she was regretting, Claire Xavier returned.
Returning to her seat as if nothing happened, she noticed everyone’s gaze.
"What’s up? Do I have food on my teeth? Why’s everyone staring at me?" she laughed.
Unable to hold back, the assistant manager asked, "Boss, what happened? Why’d you give him your card?"
Claire Xavier served herself a piece of salmon sashimi, and casually replied, "Your boss doesn’t lack money, why let someone else pay?"
"Come on, boss, you’re impervious!"
Someone boldly asked, "Ms. Grant, are you really going to become a nun? This guy seems great, handsome and wealthy, and seemed polite, bowing during your talk."
Claire Xavier shot a cold glance their way.
"Bowing? It’s just natural for R Country folks. They even bow to lampposts they bump into."
"Pfft—" everyone burst into laughter.
But seeing Claire wasn’t interested in the restaurant owner, they soon dropped the topic.
An hour later, having finished their meal, everyone got up to leave.
Passing the cash register, the man handed Claire’s card back.
"Miss, your card."
Claire took it, hesitated, but called Ashley Shaw over.
Amidst the puzzled looks from Ashley and the owner, Claire Xavier said, "I lied to you earlier. You two go ahead and chat."
Saying that, Claire pulled Ashley in front of the register and stepped out to join the others waiting.
Ashley Shaw was completely baffled.
The man was equally perplexed.
But he quickly caught on that Claire’s "I lied to you" meant the lady didn’t really have a boyfriend.
Unaware of the situation, Ashley looked at Claire’s departing back and turned to the owner.
"Sir, is there something I can help with?"
With a gentleman’s smile, he explained the mix-up.
He’d offered to pay the bill to get her contact information.
Ashley’s face turned beet red, including her ears.
Of course, it wasn’t from embarrassment, but from the blunder she’d made.
She blushed out of guilt.
But how could she know he was aiming for Ashley, not Ms. Xavier?
Such a situation had never happened to her before; no one pursued her, not even in past or present lives, except for Cillian.
So she never considered it could be about her.
Thinking back, everything suddenly made sense.
No wonder Ms. Xavier had such an expression then and didn’t want to mention the man paying the bill.
Turns out that was the reason!
Ashley Shaw almost wanted to slap herself.
If Ms. Xavier had a slightly worse temper, she would have been annoyed.
Ashley ruffled her hair, saying to the man, "I’m sorry, I can’t give you my contact info."
"But aren’t you single? Or did I offend you?"
"No." Ashley’s mind raced, coming up with an excuse, "I am single, but I already like someone else. Sorry, and thank you."
She remembered R Country’s bowing custom and took a step back, offering a deep bow.
The man was startled and hurriedly extended a hand to steady her.
"Miss, there’s no need for this."
Just as the man was about to make contact, a large hand suddenly emerged, grabbing his wrist.