Chapter 53: The Owner’s Authority

Ethan Cross leaned back in his seat, still casually engaged in his conversation with Myra as if Connor Hayes's insults had never even reached his ears. His demeanor remained unreadable, indifferent, as if the noise coming from Connor was as insignificant as background chatter.

Connor, on the other hand, was fuming. His voice grew louder, his insults more direct. "I don't get it, Myra. A woman of your status, sitting with a nobody like him? He's a literal trash picker at the university. Do you even know what people say about him? It's embarrassing just being in the same room as him!"

Still, Ethan showed no reaction. Not even a flicker of emotion crossed his face. Myra, however, was less composed. She shot Connor a glare sharp enough to cut through steel. "Do you have any idea who you're talking about?" she snapped, her voice laced with icy authority.

Connor scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Oh, I know exactly who I'm talking about. The guy who scrapes by doing odd jobs, picking up trash, and pretending he belongs in places like this."

Before Myra could lash out again, the waiter returned, bowing slightly before addressing Ethan with utmost respect. "Mr. Cross, your private dining room is ready. The $25,000 VIP suite has been prepared exactly to your specifications."

A deafening silence followed.

Connor's smirk faltered. His eyes darted between the waiter and Ethan, trying to process what he had just heard. Myra, still glaring at Connor, crossed her arms with an amused smirk of her own.

Ethan, however, remained composed, as if this was nothing out of the ordinary. He simply nodded, rising from his seat. "Let's go, Myra."

Connor, dumbfounded, took a step back. "Wait… what?" he stammered. "You… you booked the VIP suite?"

Ethan didn't even glance at him. Instead, he reached for his phone, dialing a number with the ease of someone who had done it countless times before. The line barely rang twice before it was picked up.

"Mr. Cross," a voice greeted respectfully from the other end. "Is there something I can do for you?"

"Yes," Ethan said coolly, his voice devoid of emotion. "Connor Hayes is causing a disturbance in my restaurant."

The silence on the other end lasted only a second. Then, the voice responded with immediate deference. "Understood, sir. I will personally see to it that he is removed at once."

Connor's face drained of color. "Your restaurant?" he echoed, voice cracking. "You're joking."

Ethan finally turned to him, his gaze as sharp as a blade. "Did you think a peasant like you had the right to insult me in my own establishment?"

Connor stumbled backward. "T-This is a five-star restaurant… there's no way you own it!"

Ethan took a slow step forward, the weight of his presence suffocating. "You think small-time billionaires have power?" he said, his voice calm yet imposing. "The real giants of this world—the ones you worship—work for me. General Manager James, Viper… they take orders from me. And you?" His lips curled in the slightest smirk. "You're an insect I no longer wish to tolerate."

As if on cue, the restaurant manager himself appeared, along with two security guards dressed in tailored suits. The manager, a middle-aged man with slicked-back hair, bowed slightly in Ethan's direction. "Apologies for the disturbance, Mr. Cross." He then turned to Connor, his tone sharp and unyielding. "Mr. Hayes, your membership has been revoked. You are hereby banned from all of Mr. Cross's establishments. Security will escort you out."

Connor froze, his body trembling as he tried to process what was happening. "Wait! You can't do this! This is a misunderstanding!"

The guards stepped forward, each grabbing an arm. Connor struggled, but it was pointless. His shouts of protest echoed through the restaurant as he was dragged away, past stunned patrons who whispered among themselves in hushed awe.

Myra watched with mild amusement before linking her arm with Ethan's. "That was satisfying," she mused, her voice dripping with approval.

Ethan merely nodded. "Let's eat."

Without another glance at the chaos behind them, he led her to their exclusive VIP suite, where the real evening would begin.