The Man’s Decree

As Lincoln clocked everyone’s expressions, his lips curved into a barely perceptible arc. “Although this meal today isn’t that expensive, I know many of you are rather strapped for cash now. As long as you toast me, I’ll foot the bill for you!”

After he had finished saying that, he shifted his gaze to Hilda and Lincoln, making it abundantly clear that his words were meant for them.

“Wow, thank you, Lincoln! Let me be the first person to toast you!”

No sooner had his words rang out than someone picked up his wine glass and toasted the man.

Soon, everyone toasted him with toady grins on their faces. In the end, Hilda, Kai, and Yolanda were the only ones who hadn’t done so.

“Aren’t you going to toast Lincoln, Yolanda?” Yvonne queried.

“I can afford to pay eight thousand.”

Yolanda’s meaning was more than clear—she would rather pay out of her own pocket than toast Lincoln.

“Stop acting as though you’re rich! How many clients would you have to sleep with before you make that much? I was just saying that for your own good, yet you’re not the least bit grateful!” Yvonne grumbled with a roll of her eyes.

thunder that struck without warning, and everyone cut their gazes at

and she felt so mortified at their gazes that she

nonsense are you spouting, Yvonne?

sprang to her feet with a bottle of wine

tongue, Yolanda! I’m not spouting nonsense. Do you not know your own

willing to back

wine bottle in hand, Yolanda trembled all over. In the next instant, she

stark regret swamped her. I regarded her as a close friend, yet

face, she roared, “Why are you two making a scene? I was the one who arranged the class reunion today! Are you two going against me to kick up a fuss here? If that’s the case, just

had appointed herself as the host just because Lincoln

say anything further following that bellow. Yolanda, on the other

She was rather pleasing to the eyes, after all, and they could

that incident, Yolanda kept her head lowered and uttered nary a

all eat together! You guys don’t get to eat such