Chapter 3 - The Manager’s Mistake
Inside the quiet booth at Bellanote, Maya stared at the sleek black business card resting on the white tablecloth. Embossed in gold leaf was a single name and private number: DANTE RUSSO.
Before Maya could give her answer, heavy footsteps marched across the hardwood floor.
Victor, the general manager, barged into the private dining area with a vein bulging on his forehead. He had seen Maya sitting down in a guest booth and assumed she was slacking off on company time.
"Maya! What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Victor yelled loudly, completely unaware of who was sitting in the booth. "Get your lazy ass up right now! The kitchen is full of unwashed pans, and you're sitting here cuddling a customer's kid?!"
Sophia stirred in Maya’s arms, whimpering in fear at the harsh, booming voice.
Instantly, the atmosphere in the room plummeted below freezing.
Dante didn't yell. He slowly turned his head, his pale gray eyes locking onto Victor with a terrifying, predatory calm that made the air instantly feel thin.
Two muscular bodyguards in dark suits stepped out from the shadows, flanking Victor before the manager could even blink.
"Who allowed this insect to speak in my presence?" Dante asked softly, his low rumble vibrating through the dining room.
Victor’s face drained of all color as he finally recognized the terrifying man sitting across from Maya. His knees began to shake violently, his arrogant demeanor dissolving into pathetic panic.
"M-Mr. Russo!" Victor stammered, wiping cold sweat from his forehead. "I... I apologize! I didn't realize this girl was serving you! She's just a low-class waitress, sir! She's completely incompetent—"
"Silence," Dante commanded flatly.
Dante didn't even look at Victor. He reached into his suit jacket, pulled out a fountain pen, and looked back at Maya with soft, unwavering respect.
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"Write whatever number you want on this napkin, Maya," Dante said quietly. "If you accept, you will move into the Russo estate tonight. My daughter needs you."
👉 Read Part 4 to see Maya’s decision and Victor’s immediate downfall.
