C38 Stay with Me for One Night

"Sir, your total comes to 189,365 RMB."

The waiter presented the bill.

"That much?"

Westley feigned utter shock before taking the bill.

"Sir, our drink prices are clearly marked, and we assure you that all beverages are genuine. There's absolutely no deception of customers," the waiter explained with patience.

"Still, it's excessively pricey," Sienna chimed in.

As a white-collar worker at Olivia Group, with a decent salary, her annual earnings were only around 150,000 yuan.

The evening's expenses in the private room surpassed her yearly income.

This was beyond her comprehension.

"Our pricing is transparent, and we never mislead our customers," the waiter reiterated.

Sensing trouble, he switched on his walkie-talkie, ready to summon assistance if needed.

Were these guests planning on dining and dashing?

Not on his watch!

Westley was reveling in the drama.

He turned to Ethan with a pained look, "Morris, didn't you say you were treating me to a night out? Why am I footing the bill?"

"Mr. Jimenez, what are you talking about? When did I ever offer to treat you? I merely said I'd show you around," Ethan retorted, washing his hands of any responsibility.

He was basking in Westley's dismay, feeling a sense of release throughout his being.

Karma had caught up with Westley all too swiftly.

And this was just the start; the real show was yet to come!

"I'd love to cover it, but the cost is just astronomical..." Westley lamented.

"Mr. Jimenez, you're in the wrong here. If you can't afford to host us, you shouldn't set foot in such an establishment," Ethan said, shaking his head in feigned despair.

His shamelessness was on full display.

"How can you be like this?"

Westley clutched his chest, seemingly shaken to the core by Ethan's words.

"Sorry, but I'm just being honest."

Ethan sighed, a mix of frustration and pity in his tone. "At least I don't pretend to have money, then skip out on the bill."

"Ethan, you're the epitome of shameless. You're the one who brought Westley here, so why are you making him pay?" Sienna said, her indignation palpable.

"You're accusing me of bringing Westley here. Where's your proof?" Ethan sneered.

"I am the proof. I heard it myself. You're the one who stopped Westley and asked him to come," Sienna stated firmly.

"Oh, please. Everyone knows you're a couple. Of course, you'd take his side," Ethan scoffed.

"I..." Sienna found herself at a loss for words.

She couldn't very well admit that her and Westley's act was just to get under his skin, could she?

"Out of arguments, are we? If you've got nothing else to say, then Westley can foot the bill! Westley, be a sport. Don't be a man of empty promises—it's unbecoming," Ethan said, his lips twisting into a smirk.

Sienna was seething, her chest heaving with fury.

She cursed her past self for ever getting involved with such a lowlife.

The tension in the room was palpable, the atmosphere heavy.

"But I really don't have that much money on me," Westley murmured.

The waiter, growing impatient with the scene, interjected, "Sir, are you going to settle the bill or not? If not, I'm calling security."

The security at Golden Palace were not to be trifled with, more effective than the police.

Their boss spared no expense on them, hiring mostly ex-military. They were formidable in a fight.

Even Mr. Haris and his crew preferred to steer clear of these guards.

"Just give us a moment, five minutes, okay? We'll figure something out. Come back then," Ethan told the waiter, managing a smile.

"Fine, you have five minutes," the waiter conceded before exiting.

Once the waiter was gone, Ethan shut the door and spoke with gravity, "Mr. Jimenez, you see the bind we're in. If you don't pay up, there's no way you're walking out of here."

Westley looked up, his expression blank, "But wouldn't that mean you're stuck here too?"

Ethan and his companions burst into raucous laughter, so intense that tears streamed down their faces.

"Mr. Jimenez, I can't decide whether to call you naive or just plain foolish. Didn't you know my cousin works here?"

Ethan wiped away the tears from the corner of his eyes and said, "If you don't believe me, why don't we step outside and I'll show you?"

With that, Ethan shot Mr. Haris and the crew a knowing glance and started heading for the door.

"Wait, hold on... don't leave."

Predictably, Westley, feigning great fear, called out.

Ethan turned around and asked pointedly, "Is there something else you need?"

"Morris, I'm begging you, help me out just this once!" Westley pleaded earnestly.

His performance had to be convincing; if Ethan walked away, the whole charade would fall apart.

"Well, there might be a solution. But only Mr. Haris can help you with this one," Ethan said, a grin spreading across his face.

"Mr. Haris! I'm begging you, please help me," Westley implored once more.

Mr. Haris settled himself onto the couch with a flourish, crossing his legs and squinting his eyes in an air of arrogance.

Mr. Dogg, a towering figure, leaned casually against the wall, his gaze vacant.

Paul, the shorter one, couldn't suppress his sneering laughter, looking at Westley as if he were an imbecile.

"As it turns out, I do have a way to help you," Mr. Haris said, his smile widening.

"Can you really help me?"

Westley's face brightened with hope as he asked, "What can you do?"

"I'm always happy to lend a hand. But assistance comes at a price. Are you interested?" Mr. Haris flashed his gold teeth, his face beaming with amusement.

"Go on..." Westley nodded eagerly.

"A few hundred thousand yuan is pocket change. I can lend it to you right away. But the monthly interest is 10%," Mr. Haris stated, holding up a finger.

"Monthly interest of 10%? Isn't that usury?" Westley's eyes bulged in shock.

"You make it sound so distasteful. I'm simply offering you a solution to your troubles," Mr. Haris replied with a predatory grin.

Internally, Westley scoffed.

These guys were ruthlessly greedy, not only setting him up but also trying to ensnare him in a usurious scheme.

They were nothing but a bunch of heartless scoundrels!

Yet, on the outside, Westley maintained his composure, appearing contemplative.

Mr. Haris and his crew weren't in any rush.

They were convinced that Westley had no other means of escape from this place.

The script for him had already been written.

"Westley, don't agree to it," Sienna urgently interjected.

She was all too aware of the perils of loan sharks, how they had driven many to ruin, shattering families.

Once Westley got entangled with them, who could predict the depths of despair he might sink to?

"What else can I do?" Westley turned, his face etched with sorrow and anger.

"If it comes to it... I'll sell my car," Sienna declared through clenched teeth.

A surge of warmth flooded Westley's heart; he hadn't expected such loyalty from her.

"That's out of the question! How could I let a woman shoulder my debts? I just can't!" Westley vehemently rejected the idea.

Mr. Haris and his associates exchanged knowing glances, their smiles broadening.

The fish had taken the bait.

"So, you're saying you accept my terms?" Mr. Haris inquired.

"Without any other options, yes," Westley confirmed, nodding resolutely.

"Fine! But I have one more condition," Mr. Haris said with a sly grin.

"What's your condition? Just name it."

Mr. Haris, with a lecherous gaze, pointed at Sienna and proposed, "I want her to spend the night with me."