The Past is Hard to Recall

Chapter 6

Behind the hotel manager, Mr. Everett, came a group of about ten security guards. The festive atmosphere of the wedding immediately froze. With a calm and polite expression, Mr. Everett approached Cole and Winona. The emcee was quickly pushed aside as the manager handed over a bill.

"Mr. Lewis, hello. I'm the person in charge of Yucca Hotel. When you made the reservation, the deposit wasn't paid. Could you please settle the fees for the banquet now?"

The security guards stood firm, keeping order as whispers spread through the crowd. But Cole's face reddened, and he angrily swatted the bill from the manager's hands. "Is this how Yucca Hotel does business? Can't you see I'm getting married? You come here to collect a debt now? Are you trying to embarrass me? Does the Hale Family care about this little banquet fee?"

"You're right! Bring your boss here! I want to file a complaint about you!" Winona followed behind, pointing at the manager and shouting.

Ever since Cole started getting close to me, whether at work or in life, he always used the Hale Family name to get ahead. Back then, I was blinded by my feelings, thinking we were in a relationship. I thought it was okay for him to take advantage of me every now and then. But now, seeing him for what he really was, the more I looked at him, the more repulsive he became.

Someone who could be the manager at Yucca Hotel was no ordinary person. He calmly took out a handkerchief and wiped his face, then bent down to pick up the bill that Cole had knocked away.

"Mr. Lewis, the Hale Family is one of the top ten outstanding companies in Arham City. Their reputation is well-established. I've even had the privilege of briefly meeting Miss Hale. But the person by your side doesn't quite resemble her. So, if you would, please make things easier for me and settle the bill."

Turning to Winona, he added, "If you have any doubts about my work or attitude, we have a complaint email at the front desk. Feel free to file a complaint."

Cole's face turned bright red with rage. He glared at me in the crowd, and I waved at him, making it clear I wasn't going to come to his rescue. Under the scrutinizing gazes of everyone, he reluctantly took the bill the manager handed him, staring at it in disbelief. When he saw the figure of $200,000 on the bill, his face turned pale.

"Two hundred thousand? Are you trying to rob me?" he sputtered.

I couldn't help but laugh. When he was spending my money or asking me to buy luxury items for him, he didn't bat an eye. But now that the tables had turned, he acted like paying was the most painful thing in the world.

Yucca Hotel was well-known throughout Arham City, and the prices for the Empress Hall were fair and transparent. There was no deception here.

As their conversation dragged on, more people began whispering, especially his relatives. Seeing Cole hesitate, they set down their spoons, clearly stunned by the price. Earlier, Cole had mentioned inviting relatives and friends from his hometown to the wedding. I knew he was trying to save face in front of them. Men always liked to save face, and I understood that. But now, it had become the root of his embarrassment.

"I told you not to show off if you can't afford it! A meal here costs a million?! My god, in my hometown, you could buy two houses with that!"

"Exactly! I really thought he had married some rich young lady, but I didn't expect he'd still be chased for debt at his own wedding. If he can't pay, does that mean we'll have to split the bill? I didn't even eat much!"

Even the live stream was flooded with comments asking what was going on. Cole's face turned bright red. Before he could figure out how to handle the situation, the door suddenly burst open, and a group of people rushed in.

The manager from the jewelry store walked in first, accompanied by the sales staff from earlier. The owner of the bridal shop was with them too. They were all stunned at first, but once they realized Cole couldn't even pay for the hotel's million-dollar fee, they rushed forward, eager to collect their payments.

"Mr. Lewis, the ring you have only has a $41,000 deposit paid. The remaining balance is $380,000. When can you pay that?" one of them asked.

"And as for Miss Yawn's wedding dress, it's a custom handmade masterpiece. You'll need to settle the payment for that as well."

Cole was completely stunned by the scene in front of him. Before, he had treated me like a cash cow, taking the best of everything for granted. Now, he realized the cost of everything he had been enjoying was far higher than he expected. He didn't even care that the wedding had been interrupted. Instead, he desperately called my name.