Chapter 126
Chapter 126 Dinner at Nocturne Restaurant
Elara let out a bitter, amused sigh.
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“Leighton, are you really not going back to the Pierce household? You’ve been back for quite a while now, and your father must miss you terribly.
“No one can truly blame your father for what happened all those years ago. Every choice he made tore him apart inside p>
Something crossed her mind, and she glanced toward him, words lingering unspoken.
“Let’s talk about that later. I’m leaving now.” Leighton’s expression turned cold and distant.
Tristan was already waiting outside with the car.
Elara watched his car drive away and heaved a long sigh.
Leighton still hadn’t gotten over everything that had happened…
Easton and the others hurried over, their faces etched with concern.
“How are you two? Did either of you get scolded p>
They’d lingered outside the closed office door earlier, catching fragments of a heated argument inside. Wendy’s words alone had left them burning with frustration.
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They’d never met a parent who acted so unreasonably.
“We’re fine. The meal we planned earlier fell through, though. I’ll treat everyone another time at Nocturne Restaurant-to celebrate Zora becoming my sister, and to thank you all for standing up for us today.
“It’s getting late now, so we’ll just grab something in the school cafeteria first.” Hallie waved it off casually.
The group stared at her in stunned confusion.
“Zora’s my sister now. She’s officially my mom’s goddaughter.” Hallie beamed, unable to hold back her pride and joy.
“Really? Congratulations, Zora-and congratulations to you too, Hallie p>
They hadn’t stayed to listen to the conversation outside the office and had no idea what had just taken place.
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Chapter 126 Dinner at Nocturne Restaurant
Smiling warmly, they offered their congratulations.
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Everyone was genuinely happy for Zora to finally break free from the Knox family.
Anyone could tell Hallie came from a warm, laid-back household just by how easily she joked and bantered with her mother.
“Alright, I’m starving. Have you two eaten yet? If not, come join us p>
Hallie cut off their stream of kind remarks.
It was nearly two o’clock already. Going out to eat was no longer practical, so the cafeteria would have to do for now, with a proper dinner planned for later that night.
“We haven’t eaten at all-we were waiting for you two.” Easton shook his head.
They hadn’t had the heart to grab food until Zora and Hallie came out.
“It’s a bummer Maya isn’t here right now. We’re missing our strategist of the Havenridge F5. If she were around, I wouldn’t have struggled so hard writing that reflection essay. With her smarts, she could’ve rattled off the whole thing in seconds, made me sound brave and noble, showed off how loyal I am, and let the whole school know how awesome our class is!” Easton said with obvious regret.
School let out that afternoon, and Hallie rounded everyone up, offering to treat them to dinner.
“Zora, let’s go eat. I’ve already booked a table p>
“Okay p>
Zora slung her backpack over her shoulder and walked beside her.
The whole group headed out of the school gates together.
Hallie had already arranged a ride for everyone waiting outside. They chatted and laughed loudly in the car, filled with easy excitement.
“We’re here, Zora p>
Hallie and a few others were in the same car.
Nocturne Restaurant was an upscale fine dining spot, famous for its sky-high prices and incredible cuisine.
Most students still living on a monthly allowance from their families could never afford to dine
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Chapter 126 Dinner at Nocturne Restaurant
here casually.
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Getting a reservation at Nocturne took more than just wealth and status-it also required solid social connections.
“Hallie, you actually managed to book a table here! I’m obsessed with their food. I ate here once last month and blew half my monthly allowance. I was so broke afterward I couldn’t even afford a new bag.” One girl gushed in pure delight.
“I only got the booking thanks to my cousin’s connections. Order anything you want tonight— it’s all on me,” Hallie smiled warmly.
“Zora, what’s wrong p>
Hallie noticed Zora had suddenly stopped walking and followed her gaze.
Zora’s
eyes were fixed on a man and a woman walking into the five-star hotel across the street.
They were too far away to make out their faces clearly.
“It’s nothing. Let’s go inside.” Zora pulled her gaze away.
If she wasn’t mistaken, the man had looked exactly like Wayne.
And the woman beside him was definitely not Wendy.
Zora’s brows drew together at the thought.
Was Wayne checking into a hotel with another woman?
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She shook her head quickly, brushing the thought aside. Wayne was well-known in their social circle for doting on his wife; everyone knew it. There was no way he’d be with another woman like this.
Even if it were true, it had nothing to do with her anymore. She’d already stepped away from the Knox family for good.
Pushing the strange unease from her mind, Zora walked with Hallie and the others into the restaurant lobby and toward their private dining room.
The others had already finished ordering once they were seated.
“Pick whatever you’d like to eat, Zora.” Hallie handed her the ordering tablet.
Zora glanced over the dishes already chosen. Every plate was gourmet fine dining, with single dishes costing tens of thousands, some even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Even simple vegetable sides went for thousands each.
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Everyone at the table had ordered one dish apiece-there were over 20 of them, and they needed plenty of food to go around. The whole meal would easily run into six figures.
After a quick look, Zora settled on slow-braised beef ribs.
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A