Hearing this question, Noa casually sipped the orange juice, savoring its freshness and sweetness calmly.
He then smirked and said, not holding himself back, "Last time I saw you, you couldn't even tie your tie. I am glad to see some things never change."
Silence fell on the table.
Hana was the first one to laugh.
Her soft giggles lightened the mood, allowing the women to let out stiffened laughs.
Even the blonde woman smiled faintly. The young man didn't show much reaction, blinking between words in peace.
Mr. James' expression, however, stiffened.
Noa's actions surprised him. Again.
He no longer looked like the scrawny boy he had known before. Not only was he dressed in sharp, fashionable clothes, but he was also dining in an expensive restaurant like he belonged among the city's elites.
That wasn't all.
Noa's attitude was the main reason that stunned Mr. James, and wanting to uncover more, he pressed on.
"How exactly did you afford this place? Did you win the lottery? Or did you find a rich sponsor?" His questions were bait. His goal was for Noa to slip.
As for his final objective?
Of course, he wanted to humiliate Noa in front of his companions. To show off his influence, power, and authority by bringing Noa down.
But Noa didn't bite.
He wasn't the same fish Mr. James could use for his gains.
All he did was smirk and wave to the waiter.
His bank balance showed $2,353.37 after deducting $1,200 for the meal. Noa quickly did a breakdown of his expenses, his smile widening.
He had to spend about $2,000 to complete the mission, but everything he and Hana urgently needed had already been bought.
Now, he was ready to have some fun.
So he wanted to play the game Mr. James had longed for. But this time, Noa wouldn't just swallow his words.
Like a true gamer, he wanted to outplay the man and humiliate him the way he planned to disgrace Noa.
"Excuse me. Can you bring us a Grand Blue bottle? The most expensive wine you have and put it on my tab," Noa said to the waiter without blinking once.
The woman blinked.
She hesitated for a moment, but quickly nodded and hurried away.
The silence at the table returned. The women and the young man glanced at the menu, their eyes widening when they saw the high price of $2,222.
Mr. James held his breath.
He didn't believe it. He couldn't.
There was no way Noa was this rich.
The only explanation was that he had won the lottery, but even that sounded absurd.
That's why doubt grew in his heart.
He was fully convinced that Noa was bluffing.
Perhaps he was too embarrassed to see his previous boss with young, beautiful women and wanted to act tough.
Or maybe he didn't want to look pathetic in front of his sister.
Thinking that he would get the last laugh, Mr. James said nothing and waited for the expensive wine.
Soon, the waiter returned, holding a sleek, blue bottle. Its label glowed dark under the warm light of the restaurant.
He put it down in reverence, then politely poured it into Noa's glass.
The crimson liquid looked and smelled expensive, exuding both cold and warm feelings with every sip.
Noa was even swirling the glass in his hand.
It was his first time drinking, and he wanted to savor the moment by letting the aroma linger. "Not bad," he said flatly.
Actually, it was strangely delicious.
The taste of the pasta left in his mouth was greatly enhanced by the wine.
It was bitter, yes, but it melted into something he enjoyed. 'So that's how the rich live,' he considered.
Imagining himself spending time in places like that, with no regard for money, Noa felt a warmth spreading in his stomach.
The blonde woman, meanwhile, watched him closely.
She, too, took the glass and sipped on it gracefully. Compared to Noa, she didn't look impressed, as if drinks of this caliber couldn't excite her anymore.
The others, except for Mr. James, didn't drink.
They didn't dare pour such expensive wine. Though they still eyed the glasses, showing clear signs of greed and desire.
Noa had no intention of entertaining them.
He just wanted to piss off Mr. James and humiliate him before his companions.
The trap he had set up for the man was finished—now it was his time to be caught in it.
Thankfully, it worked.
Seeing how the blonde woman looked at Noa and ignored him, how the young man started to show respect towards Noa, and how the other girls occasionally giggled, Mr. James felt his pride was wounded.
The atmosphere tilted against him.
He had to be at the center of attention. It was supposed to be his day.
They should fawn over him, not over some peasant who was at the bottom of society.
"Impressive. But I doubt you can pay for it," he barked, his thick brows lowering. "Just say the word, and I will cover it for you. Think of it as a gift for our sudden encounter."
Mr. James held his head high as he said that.
He wanted to be seen as a kind gentleman, yet his harsh voice betrayed him, proving that he was trying to disguise his wickedness with compassion.
Before Noa could respond, Hana put down her juice. "My brother can pay for it. He is more capable than you are."
She looked cheeky, her cheeks pouting.
But she was confident, fully trusting Noa without a single trace of doubt.
The people witnessing this had different reactions.
Particularly, the blonde woman who suddenly glanced at Hana with newfound amusement, this time judging her with a softer expression.
Mr. James, confident that the little girl didn't know any better, ignored her words.
He was all smiles, nodding at Noa as if his offer hadn't expired.
"No need," Noa said suddenly, unbothered by the man's malicious intent. "I won't beg you. I don't have to. You… you can keep your fake charity to yourself. Everyone here knows how much of a self-centered asshole you are."