CHAPTER 23

Daniel's breath hitched as the waiter's words sliced through his confidence like a blade. His grip on the fork tightened, his knuckles turning white as he forced himself to maintain a neutral expression.

Serenity, seated beside him, shifted uneasily.

The smugness that had been on her face moments ago had disappeared entirely.

Then She cast a glance at Daniel, as if waiting for him to respond, but for the third time, he was at a loss for words.

Raymond, on the other hand, remained composed, his fingers tapping lightly against his glass. His eyes gleamed with something unreadable as he watched Daniel struggle to process the information.

At that moment Daniel finally managed to force out a laugh, though it sounded hollow.

"What are you saying?" He turned to the waiter.

"I ordered the most expensive item on the menu. The most expensive one. Are you telling me this food is beyond that?"