Episode 16

The Royal Kitchen is a luxurious restaurant adorned with three Michelin stars.

Nestled on the main strip of Silverstone, this three-storied establishment boasts three distinct tiers of dining experience.

The uppermost floor hosts a VIP room, reserving its space alone costs a steep five thousand dollars.

Beneath it, private dining rooms are available, claiming a price of two thousand dollars for their exclusivity.

The ground floor merely requires five hundred dollars for a table seating up to eight individuals.

Yet, securing a reservation proves challenging as it's perennially booked every day.

As Leyton often remarks, this is a place one cannot simply walk into out of desire.

Booking a spot here isn't for just anyone; special access is neccessary.

Consider that to reserve a table or room, one needs a membership card issued by the restaurant. Without it, chances are none.

Albeit rare use, the Knox family holds such a card, signaling the Laytons are among Silverstone's elite.

"Noah, you've finally arrived."

Jade had been waiting with the others. Noah was a tad late, having had to stop by his hotel, as opposed to the others who came straight from campus dorms.

"Yes, Jade. Sorry for the delay."

They entered the Royal Kitchen, where inside, Leyton and his friends were awaiting Jade's arrival with fervor.

"Jade, didn't I tell you to let me pick you up?" Leyton said, his focus solely on Jade, disregarding Noah and his companions.

"It's okay, Leyton. I came with the others. I was just outside waiting for Noah," Jade clarified.

Noah and his three friends were somewhat disoriented, not knowing which table Leyton had reserved for them, as the lower floor was nearly full.

"Alright then, let's head up."

Liam and Henry promptly followed behind Jade and Leyton, but they were interrupted by a call.

"Hey Liam, where are you off to?"

Liam recognized the caller, "Barney, what's up?"

"What do you mean? Surely you don't think to dine with us in the private room? Sit down there, bring your friends along," Barney urged, pointing to a corner table.

Jade, about to ascend, overheard the exchange with curiosity.

"Leyton, why aren't they joining us?"

"Jade, you didn't inform them beforehand; this was the best I could arrange for Noah and his friends. They're not alone."

Jade's expression soured at the revelation, an uncomfortable feeling settling in.

"It's alright, Jade, we'll just stay here," Noah reassured, noticing her unease.

Just as Jade was about to object and join Noah below, they were interrupted.

"Excuse me, are you all together?"

Leyton recognized the inquirer immediately. It was Ira Banks, the Royal Kitchen's Manager.

"Ms. Banks, I'm Leyton Knox, son of Luis Knox," he greeted.

Ira responded with a warm smile, "Mr. Knox, are all of you together?"

"Yes, indeed. We only managed to secure room on the second floor," Leyton explained.

Ira nodded, "Alright Mr. Knox. If you're all together, please head up to the third floor. It's more spacious and comfortable there. I'll personally serve you."

Leyton was taken aback, aware that the third floor was for VIP guests, where the room alone cost five thousand dollars an hour, not including food—which was undeniably pricier there.

"Ms. Banks, thanks for the offer, but we're content here."

"Don't be shy, Mr. Knox. Tonight, the Royal Kitchen offers you special service. As we have some very special guests, everything will be complimentary."

Hearing this, Leyton was elated, surprised by his father Luis Knox's influence, which not only waived the fees but also ensured personal service from Manager Ira Banks.

"Well then, Ms. Banks, I greatly appreciate it. I will inform my father of this."

Ira simply answered Leyton's gratitude with a smile.

"Please, Mr. Evans, right this way," Ira directed.

While most seemed oblivious, Noah was astounded that the beautiful woman offered him the ascent and knew his surname.

"Jade, let's go. Seems this night's fortune favours us all," Leyton urged, leading Jade upstairs.

Jade too was puzzled, "How does the manager know Noah's name?"

Once upstairs, they entered a private room, its opulence evident. The ornate, large table could easily accommodate twenty people, akin to being ushered into a noble's grand dining hall.

"Jade, please."

Afraid of Jade choosing to sit next to Noah, Leyton quickly offered her a chair. His friends, grasping the situation, sandwiched her in between.

"Leyton, you've outdone yourself!"

"Truly, we never pictured you'd take us here."

Leyton bathed in their adulation, with everyone, even Noah, sharing the sentiment.

"Thank you, Leyton."

"Noah, savor the day. Consider it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Leyton raised his voice so all could hear.

"Noah, you should be thankful, for Leyton has brought you and your friends up here."

"Indeed. Otherwise, your kind may never have dined even on the ground floor."

Leyton's friends and some girls gazed at Noah and his group with disdain, lamenting Jade's insistence on their presence. Had Leyton not fancied Jade, they doubted they'd even greet them.

Noah remained indifferent, regarding the snubs as mere ignorance to his current wealth.

"Oh, F**k!" someone from Leyton's group exclaimed, unnerved by the menu's exorbitant prices.

"Look at this menu!" another girl echoed in hysteria.

Their eyes widened at the sight—no article of food priced below five hundred dollars, the simplest steak commanding around a thousand, and the floor's cheapest wine tagged at ten thousand dollars. Their gaze shifted to Leyton as his influence dawned upon them.

"Noah, even if it's gratis, you and your friends should know your limits. I fear ordering the most extravagant might upset your unaccustomed stomachs," remarked Barney, prompting stifled laughter. This was Leyton's cue for them to belittle Noah.

"What do you mean, Barney?" Liam countered, not taking kindly to the insinuation.

"Nothing, it's just—" Barney backpedaled.

"Just what?" Liam pressed further, but his argument was cut short by the arrival of Alice Sanders, an elegant woman with a captivating smile, standing right behind Noah.