Sitting at a table reserved for the wealthy, I spotted a group of young adults, among whom were the two people responsible for River's downfall: his girlfriend, Larisa Blayer, and her current flame, Nolan Carter.
Despite their presence, I kept my focus on the bartender, knowing that Larisa had already seen me and was likely on her way over.
"River? Is that really you?" Larisa's voice was syrupy-sweet as she approached, and her face was plastered with a fake smile.
"Of course, it's me," I replied.
"I can't believe how much you've changed," she gushed, her eyes taking in my new appearance.
'Well, I am a completely different person so, of course', I thought.
"Tough times, I'm sure you know", I said and at that sentence, I saw her flinch for a second.
"I love your new hairstyle," she continued trying to change the topic.
"Oh my, Glad you love it", I said flatly.
"Would you like to join us?" she asked, gesturing to her group of friends. "I'm sure you know some of them."
"I suppose I could," I replied.
The bartender interrupted our conversation, placing my drink in front of me and adding a slice of lemon to the edge of the glass.
As I reached for my wallet to pay, I slipped a generous tip on the counter, a silent gesture of thanks for her discretion.
As I picked up my drink, I leaned in close to the bartender and whispered, "I'll be back for you."
She winked at me in response and I took that as a yes.
As I sauntered behind Larisa, unperturbed by her suggestive gazes and awed expressions of my transformation, I approached the lavish table where her friends were seated.
The imposing bouncers standing guard at the entrance regarded me with suspicion, but I remained unfazed, pulling out my phone and pretending to be engrossed in a task.
Just as Cedric had forewarned me, bringing out this phone in these exclusive establishments was like wielding a badge of importance, and the bouncers soon relented, allowing me through.
"So guys, what's the occasion?" I asked as I pulled up a chair in front of Nolan.
"You've changed…quite a lot," he said, eyeing me up and down.
"Ok River, these are my friends. You know Nolan here from class, and this is Josh Fletcher, a friend of his, and his girlfriend Fiona Hayes," Larisa said, introducing everyone at the table.
She pointed at me and added, "And guys, he is River Hart, my boyfriend."
I raised an eyebrow at her use of the term "boyfriend," knowing that she was cheating on me or rather previous River with Nolan.
"Hey Nolan, I heard you are the heir to the Carter Corporations, that's impressive," I said, trying to make small talk.
Nolan looked at me sceptically.
"Impressive? You call my family's multi-billion Aurum corporation 'impressive'?" he scoffed.
"I happen to run a fairly successful MNC myself, so I comprehend the pressures of running a business."
"You own a company? That's quite incredulous, River."
"Indeed, it's almost implausible that a bunch of fucking pitiful peasants would dare to invade my company and attempt to pilfer my ingenious ideas," I said with a smirk, all too aware that Nolan was after River's latest brainchild - the revolutionary transparent screen prototype.
Nolan seemed to lose his temper gradually.
'Oh? I can feel the tension rising, this is getting interesting!', I thought.
"Well, I highly doubt that your company is anywhere close to the size and scale of Carter Corporations."
"I may not have the same size and scale as your family business, but we know how to adapt to the changing market and innovate," I said calmly.
Nolan leaned forward. "Listen, River, the success of a company is not just about innovation, it's about the connections, the reputation, the influence. And I hate to break it to you, but your little company is nothing compared to what we have."
'Yeah, just like that, be angrier!', I thought suppressing my excitement.
"Maybe your family has all the connections and influence, but I have something you don't - integrity and a loyal customer base. That's something that can't be bought with money," I said firmly.
"You think integrity and loyalty are going to get you anywhere in the business world? You're delusional, River."
"You know what, Nolan? I may not have the same wealth or influence as you, but I know how to run a successful company without stepping on others. And that's something your family could learn a thing or two about."
Nolan stood up, his face turning red with anger. "How dare you talk to me like that, you little-"
"Oi, remove this unsightly mess from our vicinity?" he shouted at the bouncers, drawing attention from the nearby patrons.
The bartender seemed particularly interested in our exchange from a distance.
However, to his dismay, no one made a move.
"Do you even have the faintest notion of who I am?" I asked, peering into his eyes.
'Well, if I'm going to show off, might as well go all out,' I thought to myself.
"Gentlemen, would you be so kind as to escort our uninvited guests out?" I instructed the burly bouncers.
They nodded and seized Nolan on either side, roughly hauling him out.
"What the hell are you doing? Let me go this instant! Don't you realize who I am?" he snarled in protest, but their ears were deaf to his objections.
As Nolan was being hauled out of the bar by the bouncers, he turned to me and yelled,
"You'll regret this, River!"
"I doubt it," I said nonchalantly.
"Oh well…" I turned to the rest of the group who had already betrayed him, and they looked at me as if I were a phantom.
"He started it," I explained.
"Well... that escalated real quick", Fiona commented.
"Wow, talk about a scene," said Josh, breaking the silence.
"I know, right? Nolan really knows how to cause a commotion," Larisa added.
"Well, I couldn't just sit there and let him disrespect me like that," I replied.
"I have to admit, you definitely held your own back there," Josh said, impressed.
"I just hope there won't be any repercussions," Larisa added, looking worried.
'Don't make me thrash your face with my fist bitch', I thought.
"That's for me to worry about," I said as I finished my drink and noticed the beautiful bartender finishing up her shift and heading towards the staff area.
Just as I was about to leave the table, my phone suddenly vibrated with an emergency alarm.
The map on my screen showed a dark mantle presence in the area, but it was much lower than the one I had fought earlier.
What caught my attention was the dot on the map that seemed to be making its way towards the staff area where the beautiful bartender had just gone.
'Fascinating...looks like I get to play the hero for once,' I thought to myself amused by the current situation.