Chapter 85: Chapter 85: The Ungrateful Son

Another customer chimed in with a hostile tone, "It’s not just that the selection is limited, the quality has gone down too. You should taste this yourself. Does this apple even have any apple flavor? It just tastes like chemicals. How long has it been soaked in some solution? Who knows if eating this stuff will shorten our lives!"

The restaurant manager hurried over, bowing repeatedly. "My sincerest apologies, everyone. All our fruits and vegetables are now supplied by Rhodes, so the quality is guaranteed. Unfortunately, our previous supplier has become difficult to order from. We ask for your understanding."

The customer who had just spoken frowned. "Rhodes? That explains it. To boost their output, they go all-in on technology for their indoor cultivation. I heard they even use a lot of growth hormones and other chemicals. The taste is terrible. You can tell the difference with a single bite."

Another customer nodded in agreement. "My family only ate organic vegetables before the disaster. We wouldn’t touch these ’high-tech’ agricultural products. Do you have any idea that this stuff could be carcinogenic? How can a hotel of your stature not even source pure, natural, organic vegetables that meet the European Union’s standards?"

The restaurant manager’s head throbbed. ’It’s a disaster year,’ he thought, ’and the crops have completely failed. It’s a miracle we can even get indoor-grown produce. Where am I supposed to find pure, natural, organic vegetables that meet EU standards? Are these rich people out of their minds? Do they really think money can buy anything?’

But he didn’t dare show a hint of displeasure in front of these VIPs. He could only continue bowing and apologizing. "I am truly sorry. At the moment, Rhodes Enterprises is the only company in the entire city that can provide a stable, large-scale supply of produce. We used to preorder all our fruits and vegetables from The Arcadia Store, but they aren’t taking new orders right now. Please rest assured, we are actively looking for new suppliers. We appreciate your patience during this time."

Melody Summers listened quietly from the side, mentally running the numbers. ’Lately, I’ve been so obsessed with mining that I haven’t paid much attention to The Arcadia Shop.’

’After all, the returns from mining are far greater than farming and selling produce. I remember how I used to grind every single day—planting, harvesting, slaughtering chickens, ducks, and rabbits—just to scrape together a hundred million. Now that I have the mine, I can make a hundred million just by selling a single Pink Diamond.’

’However, the fruit trees in The Arcadian Woods have started to yield a bountiful harvest recently. I’ll focus on running the shop once I get home in a few days.’

Just as Melody Summers was lost in thought, she suddenly heard a familiar voice from behind her.

"Melody Summers!"

Melody Summers turned around and saw Zane Simmons and Joanne White.

Zane Simmons strode over with a wide grin. "It really is you! I can’t believe you’re at The Nimbus Hotel too. What a coincidence! By the way, where are you staying? Want me to help you get a room upgrade?"

Melody Summers smiled. "No, thank you. I’m in Room 3602. My family and I think it’s pretty nice."

Zane Simmons was surprised. He hadn’t expected Melody Summers to have the money for a luxury suite. He remembered that a room on the 36th floor cost 500,000 a night. His perception of his deskmate shifted once again.

Meanwhile, Joanne White stood silently behind Zane Simmons. Cradling her stomach with her head bowed, she kept stealing glances at Melody Summers, her heart filling with unconcealable jealousy and an indescribable panic.

’I can’t believe I ran into Melody Summers here again,’ she thought. ’What rotten luck. And every time Zane sees her, he just has to run right over, all excited. I can’t even get away if I want to.’

She was nearly nine months pregnant and had been resting at their villa, preparing for the birth. But then, their luck ran out. A wildfire had broken out on the mountain behind their neighborhood today.

With the current drought, even the fire department was short on water. Combined with the scorching heat and the buildup of dry tinder in the woods, the fire spread too quickly to be contained. She had no choice but to evacuate The Metropolis Residences with Zane Simmons and move into The Nimbus Hotel.

The Nimbus Hotel had its own medical facility, so if Joanne White went into premature labor, she could receive immediate medical attention.

Melody glanced at Joanne White as well. She was wearing a long, champagne-colored silk dress, her long black hair cascading loosely over her shoulders. Despite being pregnant, her face was still done up with light makeup. With her head bowed, she had a pitiful, almost endearing look.

Compared to the destitute state of Austin Hale’s mother whom she had seen a few days ago, it was clear that Joanne White was now living a life of luxury.

Joanne White furtively glanced up at Melody, her eyes meeting Melody’s gaze. A jolt of panic went through her, and she quickly looked away.

Melody noticed Joanne’s discomfort, so after exchanging a few more pleasantries with Zane Simmons, she excused herself and left.

Melody carried two plates of dessert back to her family’s table. They all feasted together, eating to their hearts’ content.

Melody couldn’t tell the difference between so-called ’EU-standard pure, natural, organic vegetables’ and regular ones. She just thought the five-star hotel’s chefs were highly skilled. The dishes were delicious and perfectly seasoned; even her grandmother had two extra bowls of soup.

After eating and drinking their fill, the family chatted as they headed back to their rooms to rest.

While they were waiting for the elevator, Melody suddenly heard someone shout from behind them:

"Mom!?"

The Summers Family turned around in confusion. They saw a middle-aged man in a staff uniform wearing white rubber gloves and carrying a red plastic bucket. He was staring intently in their direction.

The color drained from Miss Lowell’s face. She recognized the man—it was her ungrateful son, Regan Sterling.

Before the disaster, Regan Sterling had been a manager at a media company. A few months ago, however, the company went bankrupt because of the heatwave, and he suddenly found himself unemployed.

He had to pull some strings and call in favors just to find his current job as a regular server in The Nimbus Hotel’s buffet restaurant.

He would normally have looked down on such a job, but in the aftermath of the disaster, many people had died from the heat, starvation, or thirst. Now, working at The Nimbus Hotel, he could live in the employee dorms, enjoy free air conditioning, and take free showers. Most importantly, he could even bring home leftovers from the restaurant for his family.

For most people, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Regan Sterling rubbed his eyes, checking again and again to be sure, before rushing over to the family. He spoke excitedly to Miss Lowell.

"Mom, it really is you! Where have you been hiding all these years? How could you be so heartless and just abandon us? Don’t you know Dad and I have been looking for you all this time?!"

Miss Lowell’s face turned ashen. She turned away and said coldly, "You’ve got the wrong person. I don’t know you."

"Mom!" Regan Sterling shouted, his voice laced with anger. "How could you do this?! You abandoned Dad and ran away from home, and now you’re disowning me? What kind of mother acts like that?!"

It was only then that Melody realized the middle-aged man in front of them was Miss Lowell’s son.

’Years ago, Miss Lowell’s husband had abandoned her and their son to run off with his mistress. Miss Lowell had raised the boy all by herself.’

’But when the son grew up, he insisted on bringing his now-paralyzed father back for Miss Lowell to care for.’

’When Miss Lowell refused, her son brought in the media and got her fired from her job. Not only that, but he also spread vicious rumors about her to all their relatives, friends, and neighbors, forcing her to change her name and flee to Anworth Village.’

Melody said coldly to Regan Sterling, "What is wrong with you? She already said she doesn’t know you. If you continue to harass us, we’ll call for your manager."

Colin Summers also stepped in front of Regan Sterling, watching him warily. He snapped, "What’s your deal? Why are you trying to claim a connection that isn’t there? Who do you think you’re calling ’Mom’? Stop trying to cozy up to us."

Regan Sterling narrowed his eyes, sizing up Miss Lowell. Her clothes were clean and her expression was relaxed; it was obvious she hadn’t been suffering these past few months. He knew how things were now—it was hard for an ordinary person to even get a shower. It was clear at a glance that Miss Lowell was living well.

A wave of anger washed over him. He pointed at Miss Lowell and said to the Summers family, "Don’t let this woman fool you! I’m really her son. Years ago, she abandoned her husband and child, ran off with all the money, and my dad is still paralyzed in bed!"

Then he turned back to Miss Lowell. "Mom! How can you disown me? I’m your son! Your own flesh and blood! Do you have any idea what Dad and I have been through all these years?!"

Miss Lowell remained silent, her face grim.

Seeing this, Melody went and got the restaurant manager.

Without even glancing at Regan Sterling, Melody addressed the manager, her face cold. "We just had dinner at your restaurant, and now one of your employees is harassing us, insisting my grandmother is his mother. What is this all about? Is he trying to pull a scam?"

The manager immediately bowed apologetically to Melody. He shot Regan Sterling a glare before turning back to Melody’s group with a placating smile. "My sincerest apologies, everyone. He’s just not in his right mind. This is my failing. We will be sure to discipline our staff. Please, don’t let this ruin your evening."

When Regan Sterling saw the manager, all his previous arrogance vanished. He lowered his head and didn’t dare make a peep.

Just then, the elevator arrived. Not wanting to prolong the confrontation with Regan Sterling, the family stepped inside and left.

The manager continued to bow obsequiously until the family was safely in the elevator. He knew that anyone who could afford to stay at The Nimbus Hotel these days was either rich or powerful, and as a simple employee, he couldn’t afford to offend them.

As soon as the elevator doors closed, the manager’s expression changed completely. He spun on Regan Sterling and reprimanded him, "What is the matter with you? Has the heat addled your brain? Do you have any idea what will happen if you offend the hotel’s VIPs? Can you afford to take that responsibility?!"

Regan Sterling tried to explain, but the manager wouldn’t hear a word of it.

The manager cut him off with a wave of his hand. "Enough. I don’t care who you know or don’t know. You need to get it through your head what kind of world we’re living in. The guests staying here are not people you can afford to cross. If they say they don’t know you, you leave them alone. Otherwise, when you find yourself in a world of trouble, don’t say I didn’t warn you!"

Regan Sterling was so thoroughly chastised that he barely dared to breathe. He no longer dared to argue that he was really Miss Lowell’s son and could only meekly bow his head and admit his fault.

Seeing Regan Sterling’s expression, the manager snorted. "Sterling, you’re already on the older side. If it weren’t for Lowell’s sake, I never would’ve hired you in the first place. And now you pull something like this! If it happens again, you can just quit!"

With another cold snort, the manager turned and left.

Regan Sterling watched the manager walk away, his expression dark and sullen.

’I worked my way up to management at that media company,’ he thought. ’I was always the one doing the scolding. Now I’m the one getting chewed out. It’s humiliating. My pride has been completely trampled.’

’My own mother gets to live in a hotel like this, eating the finest food and drinking the best wine, while I’m stuck here as a server, getting ordered around by everyone. It’s not fair!’

’I have to make my mother acknowledge me. I have to make her come back to the family. I have to make her bring my whole family to this hotel so we can all live the good life!’