Damian stepped forward. "Who are you looking for?"
Carol offered a polite smile. "Your boss!"
Xavier walked out from the kitchen. He was dressed casually as always—a black T-shirt and beige cargo pants—but his muscular build and striking features still gave him a commanding presence.
Norah noticed how Carol's eyes immediately lit up when she saw him, accompanied by a coy, bashful look.
Xavier didn't glance at Norah. He only spoke to Carol. "Let's talk upstairs."
Carol eagerly nodded and followed him up the stairs.
Left standing in the middle of the room, a terrible sense of dread washed over Norah.
Damian quickly tried to smooth things over. "Probably just a friend of the boss. They must have business to discuss."
But Norah was the only one who knew Carol was Xavier's former blind date.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly. Norah was an anxious, nervous wreck, constantly glancing toward the stairs. She even considered sneaking up to eavesdrop on their conversation.
An hour later, Carol came downstairs looking even more thrilled than before. She started chatting with Damian, asking a bunch of curious questions about the restaurant.
Suddenly, Carol spotted Norah. "Oh, you're an employee here!" she said, feigning surprise.
Norah nodded, dazed. Did Carol just call Xavier "Gonzalez"?
Remembering how Norah had tricked her last time, Carol's tone turned guarded. "How long have you been working here?"
This time, Damian answered for her. "She's been with us for a long time."
Seeing how Damian defended her only irritated Carol further. She immediately began bossing Norah around. "Get me a glass of juice. Make sure it's fresh-squeezed!"
Lost in her own turmoil, Norah didn't move.
"I'll get it," Damian offered.
"Not you!" Carol snapped, pointing a diamond-studded nail at Norah. "I want her to do it!"
Naturally, Norah wasn't about to take orders from her. She asked coldly, "Tell me first. Why are you here looking for Xavier?"

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