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.

a bolt of thunder that

and she felt so mortified at their gazes that she wanted to crawl

nonsense are you spouting, Yvonne? I’ll kill

a bottle of

I’m not spouting nonsense. Do you

willing to

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

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

cold expression on her face, she roared, “Why are you two making a scene? I was the one who

had appointed herself as the host just because

anything further following that bellow. Yolanda, on

She was rather pleasing to the

Yolanda kept her head lowered and uttered nary a

to eat such good food usually!”