A Life Debt Repaid

Chapter 10

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