"What am I doing?" Madam Meng retorted. "I called this afternoon to inquire about a private room. You were the one who offered a room that was already reserved. If I had known, I wouldn't have come to dine here tonight!"

She took a deep breath before continuing her tirade. "How dare you give us someone else's private room? Were you planning to let us take the blame for this? I think you should get beaten up for your misconduct!"

The waiter opened his mouth several times to refute Madam Meng, but he couldn't deny that he had indeed tampered with the reservations. In the end, he could only cover his face in shame.

Madam Meng turned toMa Chaowithout missing a beat. "I'm really sorry about this, President Ma. I didn't expect the private room to belong to your acquaintances. We are the ones in the wrong here. My husband and I shall pay you a visit next time to apologize properly."

Meng Ling took the cue from her mother and promptly teared up. "I'm very sorry, too, Uncle Ma. I hope you can forgive us just this once."

But Ma Chaosaid nothing and only glanced at the gentlemen behind him.

He wasn't in a position to judge how this matter was settled.

Even if he wanted to be considerate of Madam Meng, if the two big shots refused to let them go, then there was nothing he could do about it.

Meanwhile, the waiter was at an utter loss. He couldn't believe what was happening to him.

He was pretty close with the manager, so no one at the hotel or the restaurant had ever dared to go against him.

Now, not only was he berated, but he was also slapped to an inch of his life.

He rushed over to the manager and sobbed. "Sir, I didn't do anything wrong at all! How can she beat me up like this?"If it had been in the past, the manager would have sided with the waiter in a heartbeat and sought justice on his behalf.

To the waiter's horror, just when he was a couple of feet away from the manager, the latter raised her hand and struck his other cheek.

Pa!

Another slap had landed on her face.

This time, the blow was so strong that the waiter staggered back and almost fell to the ground.

He was dumbfounded. He gaped at the manager in disbelief.

How could this man hit him, after everything they had gone through together?

He couldn't understand just what he had done that was so horrible that would merit this much abuse.

It wasn't as if this was the first time he had rearranged the reservations. The manager knew, too, but he had never called him out for it.

He wasn't lying when he had said that reservations should be done months ahead of time. And yet, wealthy socialites often booked rooms on short notice.

In order to earn more tips, the waiter would usually scrap less important guests and patrons and offer their reservations to these rich ladies.

And each time, without fail, he had always received a generous tip.

It was sizable enough that it was almost equivalent to a month's worth of her salary. The manager was well aware of this, but he had never stopped him. If anything, he encouraged this practice.

If the other staff raised any objections, it was the manager who stepped in and took care of them.

But for some unknown reason, the manager had chosen to forsake him this time.

Why was that?

The waiter slumped on the floor in defeat, struggling to comprehend this turn of events.

As for the manager, he was so frightened that his forehead was dotted with cold sweat. He couldn't afford to offend any of these people, or he might lose his position. Perhaps even worse than that.

He couldn't offend Madam Meng, nor these other big shots.

He stepped back and offered everyone a bow. "I sincerely apologize for our staff's indiscretion. I am at fault here. If not for my poor management, this thing would not have happened. Allow me to take responsibility."

The manager raised his head and stretched his arm. "Esteemed guests, please follow me to Room 505. I shall bear the expenses for your dinner. Please enjoy yourselves."

With that, he quickly ushered Ma Chaoand the two gentlemen in the direction of the private room.

Other waiters who had come to the scene perked up and guided Qin Jingand her companions as well.

Madam Meng took a deep breath. She knew that this was the best outcome she could hope for. It was certainly better than getting chased out.

It would be a disgrace not only to herself and her family, but to the entirety of the Meng Group as well.

Madam Meng sidled up next toMeng Ling. "Let's go."

She took her daughter's hand and turned toward the door.

Having seen everything unfold before her eyes, Qin Mannaturally understood the subtle power play that occurred. She, too, was embarrassed with the way things had turned out.