Chapter 48: A Grand Mistake

As Zack stood frozen, his mind trying to process the unexpected competition, a waiter stepped out of Cloud Cafeteria, placing a stand-up signboard near the entrance.

The growing crowd quickly swarmed to take a look.

“It’s the lineup for Cloud Cafeteria this week!”

“Travis Scott is performing tonight! Tomorrow there’s a live acoustic set, and the day after, a famous band is playing…”

Ray, Zack’s driver, nearly lost his composure. “Mr. Smith, this new owner is loaded! They’ve booked some of the hottest artists in the industry!”

Zack narrowed his eyes, unimpressed. He had never cared much for modern pop music—he preferred classic melodies. With a dismissive wave, he scoffed, “They’re just mainstream acts. This is nothing but a flashy gimmick. I give Cloud Cafeteria a week before it folds.”

Despite his words, Zack felt uneasy. Whoever’s behind this knows exactly how to make an entrance.

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Tyler’s Proposal Plans

Meanwhile, two hours later, Tyler Collins had just woken up, stretching lazily in his luxurious apartment. In his hands was a pristine Tiffany & Co. ring box, containing the exorbitantly expensive diamond ring he had picked out for Hailey.

Tonight, he would propose.

He still remembered Elle’s call from last night, warning him that the president of Ace Corporation had taken an interest in Hailey. That single piece of news sent a chill down his spine.

He wasn’t about to let some mystery billionaire take what was his.

Dialing Hailey’s number, he grinned. “Baby, are you busy? Let’s grab lunch together.”

Hailey, already at work, barely looked up from her desk. “Can’t do lunch. I’m the Deputy Director of Hailey Residences now. There’s a lot to handle. But we can have dinner.”

Tyler nodded eagerly. “Perfect. I made a reservation at Sunny Restaurant—it’s right near your office.”

Hailey hesitated for a moment. “Sunny Restaurant? Actually, why don’t we go to Cloud Cafeteria instead?”

Tyler frowned. “Cloud Cafeteria? What’s that?”

Hailey chuckled. “You’re really out of the loop. The restaurant across from Sunny changed overnight—it’s now Cloud Cafeteria. They put up a massive signboard, and get this—Travis Scott is performing there tonight. I know you love his music.”

Tyler’s eyes widened. “No way. Travis Scott? We have to eat there.”

Hanging up, Tyler immediately dialed Zack, hoping to confirm his reservation.

But Zack’s phone line was busy.

Frustrated, Tyler decided to drive there himself.

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A Costly Assumption

When Tyler pulled up in front of Cloud Cafeteria, his jaw nearly hit the steering wheel.

The restaurant radiated opulence.

The signboard alone looked like something out of a futuristic cityscape, glowing in the evening sky. The entire place had undergone a massive transformation overnight.

“Damn. Zack really outdid himself. This is where I’ll propose to Hailey,” Tyler thought smugly.

Feeling important, he strolled inside confidently.

A polite waitress approached him with a professional smile. “Good evening, sir. Are you here to make a reservation?”

Tyler barely glanced at her. “First time here. I want to check the place out.”

The waitress nodded and gestured for him to follow. “Certainly, sir. Allow me to give you a brief tour. The first floor is for general dining, with carefully selected ornaments imported by our owner. The private rooms start from the second floor up.”

Tyler glanced around, nodding in approval. “Not bad. But I’m not here for some tiny private room.”

Extending two fingers, he smirked.

The waitress assumed he meant a reservation for two. “Ah, a cozy room for two, then—”

Tyler cut her off. “Small room? Please. I want to book the entire floor!”

The waitress blinked in shock. “An entire floor? That’s quite an arrangement, sir. But I wasn’t informed of any such booking. Let me confirm with my boss.”

Tyler scoffed. “Go ahead. Tell him Tyler Collins already placed a deposit.”

The waitress nodded and called her manager—Jordan Steele.

“Mr. Steele,” she said over the phone, “a man named Tyler Collins is here. He claims to have booked an entire floor and says he’s already placed a deposit.”

On the other end of the line, Jordan’s voice was sharp.

“None of that is true. Tell him to get lost.”