A Life Debt Repaid

Chapter 10
“Reserved?” Noel exclaimed in shock. “It’s only 6 PM! Has there been a mistake there?”“There isn’t. I’m afraid I would have to
ask you to leave.”“Why? We haven’t finished our food!” Mandy snapped—ever self-important, this naturally left her
furious.“There’s no reason in particular. You’re just not welcome in this premises.”“Don’t you know who I am?!”“No, I don’t,” the
waiter replied plainly.“You don’t know who Mandy is? She’s a top star and the heiress to Jessop Ventures.” Noel name-dropped
beside them.“Oh,” the waiter said, but he remained cold as ever. “This way please, Ms. Jessop.”Mandy and Noel were both left
gritting their teeth in rage, but just as they got to their feet to leave, they suddenly saw Cordy sitting at the next table.What was
she doing there?!They soon noticed the man and child with Cordy as well.Despite her pride, Mandy was instantly bewitched by
John’s sheer beauty.She was left wondering when someone that handsome existed in North City—not even the top stars in
showbiz could match him!Noel came to her senses then and called out, “Sis?”Cordy simply ignored her.Noel turned to John then.
She was likewise bewitched, but also jealous that Cordy could get himself such a beautiful man.Not even Kyle was anywhere
near that good-looking!Aggrieved, she then remembered something at the next second and quickly said, “That’s the firefighter
you fell for, right?!”Beside her, Mandy was immediately disappointed.It was not surprising that she had never met him before—he
was completely beneath them.Turning toward Richard then, Noel continued, “That’s his son, right? You just broke up with Kyle
and you’re already got yourself a man on the rebound... Or could it be that you want to get back at Kyle? Please, you shouldn’t
be mean to yourself, getting a man with a kid!”Richard furrowed his little brows hostilely at Noel, who was pretending to be kind
as she continued to mock Cordy.She was intent on driving a wedge between John and Cordy by telling him that he was just the
backup lover. “Also, you actually brought him here? It costs several grand to eat here at any time, you know!”Cordy suddenly
sprang to her feet.She leveled an icy glare at Noel, but she did not actually want to retort.She did not want to throw a fit—at least
not in front of Richard—but she could not stand Noel’s escalating behavior.Gently putting her hands over Richard’s ears, she
snapped coolly, “Word of advice: you should cease that despicable behavior of yours. Do you really think that everyone is like
you, preferring second-hand goods like Kyle Jessop? He can’t even keep it in his pants, so why would I get sad or want payback
for someone like him?! The instant I dumped him, he’s nothing to me!”“You b...” Noel’s face turned pale from Cordy’s retort.That
was when Mandy coolly butted in, “Oh, you’re just being sour grapes!”Cordy turned to Mandy and the latter met her gaze without
flinching. “That’s what you are. Everyone in North City knows what you’re really like! I guess it is what it is... My brother dumped
you and you deserve to be with a man like him!”She glanced at John as she spoke—even if he was not from the dregs of society,
he had a child too!Mandy had certainly given up on him. She would never sink so low to become the sugar mommy of a man like
him!Nonetheless, John’s eyes narrowed and he barked, “A man like me?!”His deep voice sent chills down the spine—both Noel
and Mandy gasped, their hearts skipping a beat right then.Mandy was left biting her lip, afraid to say what was on her mind.Noel
was cowed too.“Whatever I am, it isn’t up to you to criticize!” John continued darkly. “You want to know what’s between me and
Cordy? Fine! I like her and I’m wooing her, so if there’s anyone affecting our relationship, I shall make them suffer. This is not a

statement—it’s a threat!” When he was finished, he gave the waiter a look, who hurried toward them and told Mandy and Noel
icily, “This way, please.”Noel and Mandy were still left petrified by John’s outburst and it took them a long while to recover.Once
they did, Mandy snapped, “Why aren’t they leaving?!”Why were they the only ones who had to leave?“Because it’s just the two
of you who need to leave.”Incensed, Mandy bellowed, “I am the fiance of John Levine, CEO of Levine Ventures! How dare you
chase me out?!”The waiter was actually left stunned for an instant, but he was soon staring at her as if she was an idiot.“Now
buzz off!” Mandy demanded.However, the waiter simply replied coolly, “I’m going to have to call security if you insist on
staying.”“You little...!” Mandy’s face was flushed with rage.“It’s alright, Mandy. Let’s go,” Noel pulled her along then—she did not
want to make a scene, but she threw a jibe regardless. “We won’t be coming again next time. ”“There won’t be a next time, I’m
afraid. Both of you have been blacklisted.”Mandy was left bristling.Seeing that Mandy was going to lose control, Noel quickly
stopped her. “There might be paparazzi nearby. Just bear with it—we’ll get back at them soon enough.”Mandy was worried that
someone watching would try to make a story out of this, which would in turn hurt her reputation.As such, she had to leave with
Noel, albeit furiously. Quietness returned to the restaurant once they were gone, and things were back to normal at the
table.Seeing that Richard was not good with a knife, Cordy cut her steak into tiny pieces and traded it for his steak.“Thanks,
Mommy.” Richard happily got to his little feet and gave her a peck on the cheek.As John looked up, he saw the adoring smile on
Cordy’s face.She lowered her eyes again to cut her steak... only for a big hand to take her entire plate away.Cordy did a double
take until she saw John swapping his steak with hers—he had already cut it up too.Pursing her lips, Cordy slowly said, “Thank
you.”“You could convey your gratitude with action,” John said, his gaze lowered as he slowly cut his steak with elegance.Cordy
actually was confused right then. How poor were Kyle and Noel’s judgment that they would believe that John was a mere
firefighter?“Like Dicky did,” John added just then.Cordy certainly knew what he was getting at. She said, “I know. I cut Dicky’s
steak for him, and you did it for me. But it’s just good manners.”John smiled vaguely and quietly said, “I guess.”After the main
course, Richard happily proceeded to dessert, vehemently introducing, “You have to try this parfait, Mommy. It’s great!”Unable to
refuse him, Cordy leaned in to take a bite.“Isn’t it sweet?”“Yeah.”“Really?” John suddenly asked. He had been poring over his
phone as if busy with something, and he chimed in when he heard them, “Let me try it too.”Richard frowned—his daddy never
usually ate anything sweet, but he tamely scooped a spoonful and fed it to him.Cordy would have liked to tell Richard to use
another spoon, but she decided against it.After that, it would mean she and John shared an indirect kiss.While she pretended not
to notice, Richard asked John after feeding him, “Isn’t it sweet, Daddy?”“It is.” John pursed his lips, suddenly looking up at Cordy
as he added, “It really is.”Cordy felt her cheeks turning warm for some reason, having the feeling that John meant something
else entirely.