Amelia stood frozen for a moment, as if her brain couldn't process what she'd just heard.
Then, like a dam breaking, her voice tore through the room.
"You can't ban me!" she screamed, her voice shrill with disbelief. "Do you know who I am? Do you know who my brother is?!"
The manager didn't even blink. His tone remained polite, professional, but final.
"Yes, ma'am. And yet, even your brother would be asked to leave if he caused such a disturbance. This is Cartles. Not a marketplace."
Gasps rippled quietly around the room. A few guests from nearby tables turned to look, their curiosity piqued.
Saraphina could feel their eyes, but she didn't mind. She was used to attention — she thrived in it.
She rested her elbow on the armrest, chin tilted slightly, watching Amelia's fury unfold with calm detachment.
It was almost amusing.
