"Co on, shock us a bit, what’s your real identity?"
"Satisfy everyone’s curiosity, will you!"
...
"I truly don’t know the reason."
Sophie’s hands, resting on her knees, unconsciously twisted together.
Her whole being felt a bit light-headed.
She rarely visited Virtue Retreat and knew little about it.
She only knew that Virtue Retreat was quite popular in Fenton City’s dining circles, frequented by the upper class, with a touch of mystery.
It wasn’t until Isabella and Lily explained that she realized just how influential Virtue Retreat was and how mysterious its owner was.
And she received an unprecedented special treatnt at this kind of restaurant.
It felt like a dream.
Under many expectant gazes, Sophie slowly exhaled and explained softly, "Last ti, the complintary al was indeed true. Today, I asked the front desk, and they simply said ’Miss Scott’s als are free as a rule; they will never be charged.’ Other than that, I don’t know anything."
"Wow, so you’re saying you can eat at Virtue Retreat for free?"
"That’s so aweso! You can eat whatever you want without paying!"
"When will such good fortune happen to ?"
...
"Sounds like the story of a novel’s heroine! Sophie, isn’t Virtue Retreat’s owner secretly in love with you?"
"Maybe he fell for you at first sight without your knowledge?"
"Shocking! Virtue Retreat’s mysterious owner is surprisingly a passionate man?"
...
"UU, so young and already a winner in life!"
"Were you born holding the heroine’s script?"
"May I propose a toast to you, let bask in the heroine’s aura for a bit?"
...
There were marvels at the "complintary als," guesses about the "special treatnt," and unabashed currying favor.
Nora silently rubbed her forehead.
No wonder they are comic creators, each one has a bigger imagination than the last...
"Both surnad Scott, but leading different lives."
Suddenly, a deliberate murmur from the next table fell into Nora’s ears.
Nora turned her head to look.
To her right sat a girl with little presence, average looks, and not very talkative; her comic works seed to be modestly successful from the introduction.
Nora believed she hadn’t offended her, nor had she even interacted with her before.
Yet, when she spoke, her tone was laden with sarcasm, mockery, and disdain; all malice directed at Nora.
Nora, not one to be casually ridiculed, coldly smiled and replied, "Yes, different lives indeed."
"Pretentious."
After sneering, the girl turned away and proactively raised a toast to Sophie.
In an instant, she transford from venomous to full of smiles.
"..."
Nora was astounded by her acting skills.
*
This al was incredibly lively.
Since the head waiter had co over, the conversation at the table invariably centered on Sophie.
Praise, envy, adulation...
The undisputed main character.
Under such adulation, Sophie transitioned from nervous and excited to gradually calm and proud, with a hint of subtle pride.
Recently, the stress from Zero’s new work and the frustration and anxiety from Nora’s unexpected rise to her sister’s status vanished without a trace.
What about Zero and Nora?
She was the only one enjoying this treatnt at Virtue Retreat.
Unique.
Unprecedented.
Thus, whenever she glanced at Nora, her eyes carried an inexplicable sense of superiority.
Nora: "..."
If not for her curiosity about Manager Woods and the head waiter’s final surprise arrangent, she couldn’t have stayed a minute longer in this facade-filled atmosphere.
To pass the ti, she even drank another bowl of soup.
However, in others’ eyes, it appeared to be — an uncultured act.
"Knock knock knock."
As dinner was coming to an end, the door was once again knocked rhythmically.
It was the sa young, handso head waiter.
Everyone’s eyes lit up upon seeing him, looking highly expectant.
"Sorry to interrupt again." The head waiter entered with grace and courtesy, speaking succinctly as always, "The manager instructed to provide a post-al dessert."
The sa setup as before.
One after another entered, each waiter holding exquisite desserts.
Though they were already full, upon seeing those enticing desserts, the comic artists felt their appetites stirring once again.
The table was quickly cleaned up, and the desserts were placed in front of everyone, one by one.
At this mont —
The female comic artist sitting next to Nora furrowed her brows and objected, "Why is hers different from ours?"
The "her" the female comic artist referred to was, of course, Nora.
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