Just as Elena was considering how to salvage the situation, Victor gave Damian a respectful nod. "Mr. Blackwell, Mr. Hale has already arrived."
"Good," Damian responded coolly, his tone impassive.
Selena's eyes widened in disbelief, and Ethan's composure faltered.
Victor Hale was the manager of this highly exclusive restaurant. Only influential figures could secure a reservation, let alone know the manager personally.
How on earth could a so-called "nobody" like Damian Blackwell command such recognition?
Elena's confusion mirrored theirs. She leaned closer to Damian and whispered, "Damian, what's going on?"
Damian placed a reassuring hand over hers. "Trust me," he murmured calmly.
His confidence was contagious. Despite the chaotic situation, Elena found herself inexplicably at ease.
Victor raised his hand, signaling the security guards. "Escort the irrelevant parties out."
The guards stepped forward and stopped in front of Ethan and Selena. "Please leave."
Selena's face turned red with rage. "Are you out of your mind? I'm Mrs. Caldwell! How dare you ask me to leave?"
Ethan's expression darkened as he asserted his identity. "I'm Ethan Caldwell, son of Caldwell Delgado from the Caldwell Group. We have a reservation here tonight."
His voice dripped with superiority, as though his lineage alone guaranteed obedience.
Selena chimed in, her tone venomous. "Do you even realize who you're offending? Think carefully. Can you afford to make an enemy of the Caldwell family?"
Victor remained composed. "It doesn't matter who you are. Tonight, the entire restaurant is booked for a private event. Please leave."
Though his tone remained polite, his stance was firm.
Ethan's expression twisted with humiliation. "Who is this guy, and how does he have the power to book the whole restaurant?"
Selena scoffed, refusing to accept the reality of the situation. "This has to be some kind of bluff! Why don't you kick them out instead?" She pointed accusingly at Elena and Damian. "If we can't get in, how can they?"
Damian's eyes darkened, his voice cold and commanding. "I don't want to see these two here again. Ever."
Victor's face remained impassive, but inwardly he knew better than to question Damian Blackwell. His instincts for survival had been honed by years in the hospitality industry. And if someone as influential as Leo Kane held Damian in high regard, that was reason enough to ensure he received the utmost respect.
"Understood, Mr. Blackwell," Victor said firmly.
Selena and Ethan were left speechless, their humiliation complete as the security guards escorted them out.
It was Victor Hale who had reserved the restaurant today, and Damian Blackwell had accompanied him on multiple occasions. Naturally, Victor recognized Damian immediately.
"Yes, Mr. Blackwell," Victor said firmly before turning to his staff. "Add those two to the permanent blacklist. Put the notice on display at the front door."
The implication was clear. If the sign were posted, Ethan Caldwell and Selena Cross would be utterly disgraced.
This was no ordinary establishment. The city's elite frequented it daily. A public blacklist would ensure that news of their humiliation spread far and wide.
Selena's expression twisted in disbelief, her face reddening with fury. "What? Who do you think you are?" she demanded, her voice grating and shrill.
Damian's gaze remained icy and indifferent. "Noisy," he muttered dismissively.
Victor didn't hesitate. He issued a sharp command to the security guards, "Escort them out immediately."
"Yes, Mr. Hale," the guards responded promptly.
The guards seized Ethan and Selena, dragging them toward the exit.
"Don't touch me! Get your hands off me!" Selena shrieked, her composure unraveling completely. "I'm Mrs. Caldwell! How dare you treat me like this?"
Her protests fell on deaf ears.
Ethan's face contorted with rage. Never in his life had he been subjected to such a public disgrace.
He seethed, recalling the moment Damian uttered that single dismissive word—"noisy"—which had prompted Victor's swift action.
Who was this man?
A powerful figure? Impossible.
Ethan scrutinized Damian's attire. His clothes were modest, lacking any hint of extravagance. And that car—a Volkswagen, old and worn—certainly not the vehicle of a wealthy man.
So why was Victor Hale, a man known for catering to the city's most influential individuals, so obedient to him?
Selena stumbled as the guards tossed her out onto the pavement. Her hand scraped against the ground, and she winced in pain.
Seething with humiliation, she stamped her foot. "Ethan, can you believe this? They actually threw us out!"
Ethan's face was a storm of anger and embarrassment. "Shut up," he barked. "Haven't we been humiliated enough already?"
Selena's eyes burned with unshed tears, and her gaze locked onto Elena Cross, who stood calmly by the entrance. Her jealousy flared. "You little wretch! This is all your fault!"
Elena's lips curled into a faint smile. "I suggest you learn some humility, Selena. Look at you now—humiliated and thrown out. If you beg me nicely, I might consider letting you back in. But honestly, you look pathetic. Do you really want anyone else to see you like this?"
Selena's face turned ashen, then flushed crimson with rage. She opened her mouth to retort, but Ethan grabbed her arm.
"Let's go," he snapped. "Do you want to stay here and make an even bigger fool of yourself?"
Despite her fury, Selena allowed herself to be pulled away, though her expression promised revenge.
As they disappeared down the street, Elena exhaled, relieved to see them gone.
Victor's demeanor shifted back to professional courtesy. "Mr. Blackwell, this way, please."
Damian nodded and guided Elena forward.
Still puzzled, Elena lowered her voice. "What's going on? I thought the place was fully booked. How did we get in? Do you come here often?"
Damian's expression remained calm. "I've been here several times with Victor Hale. We've gotten to know each other a bit."
"I see." Elena's eyes narrowed in realization. "Was today reserved by Mr. Victor Hale?"
"Yes," Damian confirmed.