"Sure." Johanna sized up Cory with a nce, noticing that only the assistant manager hade to greet her. She said, "Didn''t I mention I wanted to book seats in the banquet hall? Is everything ready? I want to check out the venue." Cory heard that and apologized, "Mrs. Dawson, I''m sorry, but the banquet hall is all booked now. It seems we might not be able to amodate your request."


    "What?" Johanna frowned, "How is that possible? When I called earlier, your receptionist said there were seats avable."


    Cory offered an apologetic smile. "There were, but... a gentleman has just booked the entire banquet hall, so..."


    With a cold stare, Johanna said, "Mr. Cory, do you really think I''m that naive? There are only a handful of big yers in Echo City, and I haven''t heard of any big dinner partiestely. And your prices? They''re not exactly cheap. Tell me, how much did he pay you? I''ll double it."All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Cory exined, "Mrs. Dawson, it''s not about the money..."


    Seeing Cory''s troubled face, Johanna red and demanded, "Oh? It''s not about the money? So, you''re saying the Dawson family isn''t worthy? Is Majestic Manor Hotel looking down on us, the Dawson family?"


    Johanna raised her voice, her already loud voice drawing the attention of everyone nearby.


    Cory said, "Mrs. Dawson, I assure you. I''m not making this up. It''s booked..."


    "I don''t care who booked it. I called you first, and you should know that my daughter Freya is about to marry into the Sutton family! And I am Mr. Sutton''s future mother-inw! The Sutton family''s status in Echo City is well-known, I presume? I suggest you think carefully about the consequences of upsetting me!" Johanna was relentless.


    Mentioning Kieran made Cory even more ufortable. He said, "Mrs. Dawson, it''s not that I don''t want to help, but..."


    "But what?" Johanna scoffed, "I''d like to see who has the nerve to book all your banquet halls! Bring him out! I''ll double the price, and we''ll see if I can''t buy it!"


    "What''s all themotion?" Suddenly, a voice reached Johanna''s ears.


    At the sound, Johanna''s expression soured.


    Ronan slowly appeared, and


    Johanna felt trapped. Ronan was et Kieran''s nemesis. Why


    he in Echo City booking so


    banquet halls?


    Cory approached Ronan, saying, "Mr. Beckett, Mrs. Dawson would like to purchase one of the banquet hall''s seats from you. I was discussing a potential solution with Mrs. Dawson. If you could spare one seat, Mrs. Dawson is willing to pay double."


    "Oh? Is that so?" Ronan''s gaze fell on Johanna.


    Seeing Ronan, Johanna quickly said, "Mr. Beckett, you''re just in time. I know you and Freya are on goodè terms. It''s Freya''s brother''s birthday, and I was hoping you could spare us a seat. You wouldn''t refuse, would you?"


    Johanna smiled apologetically, knowing she couldn''t afford to upset someone of Ronan''s stature.


    Ronan appeared unfazed and responded coolly, "Considering it''s for Ms. Dawson, reserving a seat isn''t out of the question." Hearing it, Johanna was overjoyed. "I knew it! Mr. Beckett would make room!"


    Ronan smiled slightly, "Since it''s for Ms. Dawson, we should reserve thergest banquet hall for Mr. Dawson''s birthday celebration." Oblivious to the gravity of the situation, Johanna was too busy smiling from ear to ear, "Great, great! Mr. Beckett is truly magnanimous!" Johanna thought, ''He''s much better than that Kieran, by miles!''


    Seeing Johanna''s reaction, Ronan turned to Cory and said, "Proceed as we discussed. Transfer double the price into my ount."