Alice stared at him in utter disbelief.
"Yes, I counted them. Twice," Ethan replied with a grin. "And no, it's not a prank. So relax and stop stressing about money."
Alice blinked, still dazed. "Alright… if you say so." Her voice was hesitant, as if trying to convince herself that it was real. And honestly, who could blame her?
Ethan chuckled, enjoying the stunned look on her face.
"What's next then? Lunch or shopping?" he asked, stretching casually.
"Let's eat first. I'm starving," Alice said, rubbing her stomach. But then she quickly added, "And don't order something as over-the-top as breakfast! Just because we have money now doesn't mean we should waste it." She crossed her arms, trying her best to look like a responsible adult.
"Alright, alright…" Ethan raised his hands in surrender, smiling helplessly.
But inside, he let out a quiet sigh.
"If only she knew how much do I need to spend to earn a single skill…"
Ethan then got up and looked at Alice. "Let's get going then."
Alice nodded and got up too.
After that, they got back on the scooter and headed straight toward the DS Palace Hotel once again.
It didn't take them long to arrive. After parking the scooter, they headed inside.
The moment they stepped in, Synthy noticed them immediately.
She walked over quickly to greet them. Normally, she wouldn't have gone out of her way like this for just any customer. But after what Ethan had pulled off today morning, casually paying a hundred million for a premium membership, Synthy knew at once that he was anything but ordinary.
"Sir, Madam," she said warmly, giving a graceful nod. "Welcome back to DS Palace. I assume you're here for lunch now, right sir?" Her tone was polite and professional, but there was a clear hint of extra respect in her voice.
Synthy had always been known for her poise and elegance, but after Ethan displayed the sheer weight of his wealth today morning, her demeanor toward him had elevated to an entirely new level as if polished to perfection.
However, not everyone present appreciated the special treatment.
A few guests nearby furrowed their brows in displeasure.
Some used to come just for the fine dining. Others stayed in the hotel regularly. But there was a particular group who visited for an entirely different reason, because they admired Synthy.
Even though she was slightly older, her graceful aura, mature charm, and voluptuous yet elegant figure made her almost impossible to ignore. She carried herself with a noble air that blended sensuality with class, an allure that had captivated more than a few hearts.
And now, seeing her give this level of attention to a young man on a scooter?
It didn't sit well with some.
"'Sir'? That sounds too old-fashioned," Ethan said with a cheerful grin. "We're probably going to be regulars here anyway. Just call me Ethan. And this adorable little lady is Alice."
But before he could continue, Alice pinched his waist.
"Brother," she said with an angry glare.
Synthy, meanwhile, smiled awkwardly. "I'm afraid that's not possible, sir. It's not about age or anything like that. We're required to address every guest here as 'sir' and 'madam'. It's the policy."
"Okay, whatever you're comfortable with then. I don't want you getting in trouble because of us," Ethan said with a relaxed smile.
"Sir, would you prefer to sit inside a private chamber or in the main dining hall with the other guests?" Synthy asked politely.
"The dining hall is fine," Ethan replied casually.
With a nod, Synthy turned and began leading them through the hall. Ethan followed behind, and despite his best efforts, he couldn't help but sneak a few glances at the elegant sway of her hips, the subtle rise and fall of her curvy figure with each step. A primal urge stirred within him, but he pushed it back down.
Soon, Synthy stopped beside a neatly arranged table and offered a warm, professional smile. The table stood out from the rest, its design and placement made it clear that it was reserved for VIPs.
"Please have a seat, sir," she said, gesturing toward the table.
Ethan and Alice both sat down. Ethan remained confident, casually glancing around, but Alice was visibly more reserved. Unlike in the morning, the hall was now filled with guests seated in elegant groups, dressed in exquisite designer clothes and exuding an air of wealth and superiority.
Many of them were already staring at the siblings for obvious reasons.
One reason everyone was staring was because a pair of clearly out-of-place bumpkins were being guided to a VIP table, right in the middle of the most luxurious hotel in the entire country. The second reason? It was Synthy herself who was personally escorting them, treating them like they were some kind of big shots.
"Who the hell is that guy?" a man in his thirties growled, grinding his teeth. "How dare he make my goddess act like that in front of him?"
"We should teach that brat a lesson," another man beside him muttered, his eyes burning with jealousy.
Meanwhile, at Ethan's table, Synthy leaned forward slightly and asked with a gentle smile, "What would you like to eat, sir?"
As the front receptionist, it wasn't even her job to take orders, but she did it anyway.
"Well, we'd like two plates of each me..." Ethan started, already about to go overboard.
But before he could finish, Alice kicked him under the table and shot him a sharp glare.
Ethan froze and smiled awkwardly.
Alice looked up at Synthy and said politely, "Could we have the menu card, please?"
"Of course." Synthy nodded and quickly brought a menu, handing it to her.
Alice scanned through it quickly and selected a few dishes. She didn't act cheap, but she didn't act like royalty either. Just enough to blend in without drawing too much attention.
Once the order was placed, Synthy left to get the food prepared.
Alice turned to Ethan. "Brother, I already told you. No wasting money," she said, trying to look stern.
"I'm sorry. I'll be more careful from now on..." Ethan began.
But before he could finish, two men suddenly approached and shoved chairs on either side of him, forcing their way in.
"You seem to be having the time of your life, huh?" one of them sneered. "Who the hell do you think you are, brat?"