Unexpected Encounter

Elias nodded, snapping Sofia out of her daze and gesturing for her to follow him.

The store employee shot her co-worker a fierce glare before begrudgingly racing forward to open the door for them. Coincidentally, just as Elias and Sofia were about to leave, a man and woman stepped through the other side.

The man and woman were the same diners who had caused a scene the day he resigned from the Celestial Dining, complaining about an insect in their food. Even though Elias could have argued that the meal hadn't been served with the insect, he had let the matter rest since Sofia had chosen not to pursue it.

When their eyes landed on Elias and Sofia, they widened in surprise, momentarily stunned.

The woman attempted to say, "You—" but quickly closed her eyes, releasing that bringing up such a matter would be improper. 

The man's gaze immediately narrowed, shifting towards the extra-large shopping bags they carried. He noticed the luxurious items within, and a pondering expression emerged. 

The tension in the air suddenly became discernible.

Elias did not want to escalate the situation. "Excuse me," he said, his voice calm but firm. He could already sense trouble brewing and feel Sofia's body tense at their sudden appearance.

They both stepped out the front door, clearing a path to pass through. 

Elias gave one last nod and attempted to step through the doorway.

However, just as he was about to move forward, the man grabbed his arm, causing him to halt his steps and said, "Hold on a minute!"

Elias turned his attention towards the man with a frown on his lips. He calmly dragged the hand and threw it to the side.

"I don't believe that we are that close for you to hold me like that," Elias responded. With $349,959 currently in his bank account, his confidence was no longer at the same level as previously, but he remained composed.

Feeling the strength behind Elias's pull, the man smiled wryly, slightly massaged his wrist, and shook his head. "I'm sorry. I was surprised seeing the people who served me my meal at the Celestial Dining with an insect within it, at a place like this," he responded. 

The tension in the air rose significantly after the man spoke. 

Elias attempted to respond, but he felt a slight pinch at the side of his arm, causing him to seal his lips and keep his words to himself. He understood that Sofia also didn't want the situation to escalate.

"We've already settled that matter by settling the bill, so I don't believe there's any reason for you to bring it up, especially since you enjoy a meal with an insect. Nonetheless, we are currently in a hurry to leave, so we'll be taking our leave," Elias responded, hold back his frustration.

Hearing Elias's words, Sofia sighed but chose to remain silent. After all, the man had provoked Elias, so he had every right to retaliate. She just hoped that Elias would avoid getting into a fight, deciding not to make a stir since they were still unsure about his background.

Sensing Sofia's concern, Elias shifted his attention to her. "Let's go," he said, stepping forward as he led the way forward, Sofia following closely behind him. 

The store employee, caught in the middle of the confrontation, stood beside them, her hands still holding the door open. She observed the exchange, initially assuming they were familiar with each other from their tone. However, as the conversation unfolded, she couldn't help but stare at Elias and Sofia in shock.

A Server!! 

Celestial Dining!!

Despite believing that the man had no reason to lie since he was a regular VIP customer at their store who made different purchases for the various women he flings around with, she couldn't help but shake her head, believing that he might have mistaken them for someone else. After all, Elias and Sofia had just bought items worth $112,995 and settled it entirely.

However, after hearing the young man's words, which confirmed his words, she couldn't help but stare at him, stunned, her brain short-circuiting at the revelation. 

The man immediately blocked Elias and Sofia's way. "Wait a minute! I don't believe that you two are capable of the items you've just purchased with the amount you earn working at the Celestial Dining," his smile turning into a sneer as he stared at Elias and Sofia before shifting his attention to the store employee. "You there, you must remember me, right?"

The store employee immediately snapped out of her daze after hearing the man's words and swiftly nodded her head in response. 

"Yes, Mr Alex, of course," the store employee responded, feeling her body slightly tense.

"Good. Go and confirm if they truly made a payment to the store. It might be a scam, and we should verify it before they can leave," Alex responded, his expression serious. 

He wouldn't have done this if he sensed they had the slightest financial capability because there might be a chance that at least one of them might have a wealthy family member willing to gift them some cash to spend as they wished.

However, that was it. Just by looking at the familiar three extra-large shopping bags of the Prestige Boutique, which indeed contained items costing tens of thousands of dollars, along with the unfamiliar two extra-large shopping bags probably containing items costing about the same amount, he couldn't believe that their entire savings put together would be able to afford such luxury.

He believed there was something fishing, especially since one was a server and the other a chef at the Celestial Dining. He decided to use this opportunity to help the store and get some free items to return so he wouldn't have to spend the money he brought. 

Moreover, their attitude and blatant disrespect towards him were starting to grate on his nerves despite their awareness of the immense gap in power and authority between them.

The store employee felt a surge of embarrassment. She couldn't help but dart her eyes towards Elias, Sofia, and Alex before nodding with a firm expression. She turned around and immediately headed towards the cashier's desk to confirm.

'I'll wait and see you beg while I help call the police,' Alex thought, withdrawing his gaze from the store employee towards Elias and Sofia with a faint smile. 

Unexpectedly, just as he was about to speak once more, he observed wide-eyed as Sofia rushed towards him with a punch rushing hurtling towards his face.