At that moment the room fell into a stunned silence.
Avery blinked rapidly, her smirk frozen halfway like she didn't quite understand what she'd just witnessed.
Then Edward leaned back slightly, his glass pausing mid-air. Liam shifted in his seat, eyes narrowing, trying to process what the manager just said.
Even the military guy furrowed his brows.
This wasn't normal, this wasn't something they could brush off.
The name of the restaurant — Velvet Garden, one of the most exclusive and prestigious fine-dining establishments in the city — wasn't the kind of place where staff would bow to just anyone. Not even to city council members or celebrity clients. And yet, here they were, bowing to Raymond like he owned the place.
Immediately Avery leaned in and whispered sharply, "What is going on?"
