Chapter 17: Sharp Mouthed Anna; Show Off With Dollars

"What breaks my heart is that Ryan was so foolish before, falling for a queen bee like you."

"You didn’t appreciate him, so I got the chance. I should thank you, really."

"Kai, that player, is your perfect match. You two are made for each other."

When it came to a sharp tongue, Anna was a master at dishing it out.

Tina slammed the table in anger and threatened, "Ryan, I’m giving you one chance. Push her away right now, or I’ll cut you off and block you forever."

In her eyes, Ryan was the submissive, obedient top-tier simp who’d do anything she said.

She didn’t even need words, one look and he’d jump off a building if she asked. She often bragged to her roommates about how well she had this simp under control.

"Oh, you’re giving him a chance???"

Seeing Ryan unfazed, Anna quickly added, "With your caliber, next to my Ryan? You’d better stick to that cheap set meal with Kai."

"Can’t even afford wine. When you’re done, remember to doggy-bag it, his dad doesn’t give him much allowance."

Her smug, triumphant expression oozed with spite. The confrontation was thick with tension.

The manager reminded them again, "Excuse me, your dining area is elsewhere. Please don’t disturb other guests."

"Mind your own business!"

Kai glared at her and said, "My dad is a shareholder here. How dare you talk to me like this?"

"Ah, the shareholder... Oh, you’re the heir of Tiger Real Estate."

The manager didn’t hold back. Seeing onlookers gathering, she said coldly, "Your father does have 1% of the shares, but I believe they’ve already been pledged."

"He gets dividends every year, but he has no seat on the board, he doesn’t even have a say in firing me."

"If he knew you were causing a scene here, it probably wouldn’t look good for you."

Her tone turned icy: "If you think it’s necessary, I can call and discuss it with him."

"We’ll see about that!!!"

Kai seemed afraid of his father. He backed down immediately, glared at her, and grabbed Tina’s hand.

Tina yanked her hand away. She felt humiliated today, and ran back to her seat to grab her purse.

"Ryan, let’s go too!"

Anna giggled, flashing a victorious smile.

Ryan watched Tina try to leave, with Kai chasing after her, and felt nothing but indifference.

Anna took the initiative to hold his hand and said,

"Ryan, you’ve been so good to me, and I want to be good to you too. I’m so full, let’s go check out the mall next door."

"Okay!!"

Ryan agreed without hesitation, then turned and asked, "Miss, I still don’t know your name."

The attractive manager, Ginny, stepped closer, thrust her chest forward and pointed at her badge, smiling flirtatiously:

"My name is Ginny. If you need anything, you can add me on WhatsApp. For any future visits to Brilliant Hotel, feel free to reach out to me."

She leaned in so close she was just five centimeters from pressing her chest against Ryan’s face, clearly showing off her own impressive figure.

A wave of her scent made Ryan feel a little dazed, his heart rate quickening uncontrollably.

Manager Ginny maintained a polite professional smile, but her tactics weren’t lost on Anna. She cursed inwardly: You fox, you think I can’t see what you’re up to?

Ginny pulled out her QR code, but Anna scanned it first and said casually,

"Thanks, Manager Ginny. This membership card is in my name. I’ll be the one to contact you from now on."

They were both seasoned players, no need to play innocent. The green tea vibes were thick between them.

With a beep, it went through. Ginny realized Anna wasn’t one to be easily fooled. She put away her phone and handed out business cards instead.

One for each, less obvious. Anna couldn’t object, and could only watch as Ryan tucked the card into his pocket.

"Tina, really, they’re just putting on a show. Why are you so upset?"

On the other side, Kai had calmed down the completely appetite-less Tina and brought her back over.

Manager Ginny frowned and was about to shoo them away, but Anna sneered, "Still not giving up? Who’s the real stubborn sticker here?"

Kai’s eyes were bloodshot as he said, "Tina, watch this, they definitely can’t afford the bill. If they try to dine and dash, I’ll call the police."

Tina, hurt as she was, hadn’t left because she still believed Ryan couldn’t possibly pay, and wanted to salvage some dignity.

Seeing that Anna wasn’t going to shoo them away, Manager Ginny didn’t make a scene either. She simply had a server bring over the hotel’s special card machine.

"Sir, here is your bill for tonight. Please confirm the amount."

Anna took the bill and sneered, "Mr. Kai, would you like to check if this bill is fake?"

The bill showed that the food and service charges came to over 40,000 dollars, and the Louis XIII cost 300,000 dollars.

Kai sneered back, "It’s not fake, sure, but can you pay it? A Diamond Card only costs 100,000 to get."

"Sure, you have a Diamond Card, but who knows if there’s any money left on it? An empty card is worthless."

"Anna, I bet you slept with some old man and got scammed..."

Anna didn’t waste words. She pulled out the newly issued Diamond Card and handed it over. Just as Ginny was about to swipe it,

Ryan, who had been quiet all night, spoke up: "Wait."

That sudden interruption made Kai perk up immediately. He said excitedly, "Tina, see? I told you he was just putting on an act."

He went on to explain smugly, "The card machines at Brilliant Hotel, once a receipt is printed, it can’t be faked. The backend data password is unbreakable."

"Making a fake is impossible, it’s only connected to the internal network. Even the best hackers couldn’t touch it."

"Accessing the backend is even harder. Only the CEO and two VPs can unlock it together with their individual passwords at a board meeting."

Hearing that, Tina was enlightened.

She also smiled, looking down at Anna and Ryan, and said harshly, "Keep acting. Why stop now?"

"Swipe it! If you dare to dine and dash, you’ll both end up in jail."

Kai was also incredibly hyped.

Fueled by the alcohol, Ryan, who had been well-behaved all night, stood up. Looking at the goddess he’d adored for so long, he suddenly felt a pang of indifference.

Compared to Anna’s tenderness, the mixed feelings in his heart weren’t as strong anymore. Instead, a sudden urge to show off surged within him.

"Anna, sign the tip slip for Manager Ginny, let’s make it 50,000 dollars."

That casual remark left everyone stunned. Ginny was especially incredulous.

"Haha, signing 50,000? Look at this idiot losing his mind."

"Saying stuff like that, Ryan, you’re shameless."

Tina mocked him, "I thought you were honest, but I didn’t expect you to spout such nonsense."

"If you keep this up, I won’t give you another chance."

Anna snapped back to reality, gave a flirtatious smile, and without hesitation, picked up the tip slip and signed it, clearly writing 50,000 dollars.

"Really, Mr. Ryan??"

Ginny was shocked, hardly believing it.

---