Chapter 174
Crown Taste House's Gold Card
"Ah!" Claire Bennett suddenly cried out.
Julian Sterling looked over in surprise.
Claire Bennett said, "It's already this late. The produce at the market is probably all sold out, and I still haven't gone grocery shopping. Why don't we just eat out tonight?"
In the end, the two of them decided not to bother cooking and to eat out tonight instead.
Claire Bennett had just gone through the trash can, so for the sake of hygiene and cleanliness, she went back first to take a shower. That would also let them miss the dinner rush and avoid squeezing in with everyone else.
After they were done, Julian Sterling took Claire Bennett to Crown Taste House.
When they reached the entrance, Claire Bennett glanced at the Crown Taste House sign and quietly felt her wallet.
Were they really going to spend money here?
No wonder Sean Shaw had said that since Julian Sterling worked by Mr. Sterling's side, his experience and spending habits were different from ordinary people's. Even when it came to eating, he chose a place like this. No wonder he hadn't had much appetite when they'd eaten crawfish two days ago, so of course he would look down on the things she gave him.
Claire Bennett sighed to herself. It looked like she'd have to work hard to make more money in the future.
The restaurant seemed to be running some kind of promotion today. Even though they were only a little late, there were still a lot of people gathered at the entrance.
Even the parking lot was packed with cars. Julian Sterling circled around for a long time without finding a parking space.
Claire Bennett remembered what she'd just seen and said, "There are so many people at Crown Taste House, they'll probably be handing out numbers and making people wait. I'll go get a number at the entrance first. Once you've parked and come over, we won't have to wait."
After saying that, Claire Bennett opened the car door and started to get out.
"Wait." Julian Sterling stopped her.
Claire Bennett turned back in confusion and saw Julian Sterling hand over a black card. Embossed across the front in gold were the three large words: Crown Taste House.
Her eyes widened in shock.
"With this card, there's no need to wait in line."
Crown Taste House had issued VIP supreme cards, and the black card was the highest tier. Not only did it come with discounts, it also gave access to top-tier private rooms.
Ruby Sterling and several assistants each had one, but theirs were gold cards, while Julian Sterling's was the highest-level black card.
The last time Julian Sterling had brought that Miss Xu who had suddenly been dropped in on him for a blind date, he had only been going through the motions. They'd sat in an ordinary private room outside, and he hadn't intended to use something like this at all.
But eating with Claire Bennett now was naturally different.
Claire Bennett hadn't expected Julian Sterling to have something like this. One look told her it belonged to Mr. Sterling, and they were benefiting from his privileges.
Claire Bennett took it. "Then I'll go ahead."
When she reached the entrance of Crown Taste House, she saw a long line stretched out at the door, almost all the way into the street. There really were a lot of people!
Claire Bennett secretly felt relieved. Good thing she had a membership card.
Just as she was about to step forward and speak to the server, a hand suddenly reached out from behind her holding a golden card.
Right after that, a familiar voice rang out. "Excuse me, does your VIP supreme card mean no waiting in line?"
The server recognized the gold card as Crown Taste House's VIP gold card.
She immediately passed over Claire Bennett and turned to the woman behind her, saying politely, "Hello, we reserve private rooms for VIP guests at Crown Taste House. Our VIPs do indeed have the privilege of skipping the line."
What a coincidence—incredibly, the woman who had cut in line behind Claire Bennett was Willow Lane!
Standing beside her was a stylishly dressed woman, Bennett Group designer Yvonne Yu.
Back when Bennett Group had been asked to send someone from the design department to Sterling International to assist, many designers had been unwilling to come. After all, Chicago couldn't compare to New York. How was that any different from being exiled?
In the end, Willow Lane had been chosen to come, and quite a few people had secretly gloated over it behind her back, mocking her for having to suffer.
Yvonne Yu had been one of them. She and Willow Lane were fake friends too.
They called each other sisters to their faces, but behind the scenes they were always comparing themselves against each other.
Yvonne Yu had come to Chicago to visit Willow Lane because she wanted to see how miserable she was.
She had never expected Willow Lane to say she had a VIP card for Crown Taste House and was even going to treat her to dinner here. Of course she hadn't believed it. Crown Taste House VIP cards were only issued after spending huge amounts and accumulating enough points.
How could Willow Lane possibly have one!
But seeing how confident Willow Lane was, she remained half-convinced and half-doubtful.
She had come along with Willow Lane, full of suspicion, but hadn't expected the card to actually be real!
After hearing what the server had just said, a flash of envy crossed Yvonne Yu's eyes, along with a hint of jealousy.
She had never expected that after coming to Chicago, Willow Lane would be living so well!
If she'd known, she would have volunteered to come herself back then.
She said, "Willow, I didn't expect your VIP card to be this useful. I remember there's a Crown Taste House in New York too. Can you lend me the card so I can use it too?"
Willow Lane's eyes flickered. There was no way she would lend the card out.
She had used the excuse that a Bennett Group designer was coming to inspect Sterling International and needed to be properly entertained, then secretly asked Mr. Sterling to lend her the card. She still had to return it in a few days.
Even though Crown Taste House wasn't cheap, seeing the envy in Yvonne Yu's eyes felt so satisfying.
Just as Willow Lane was about to come up with an excuse to turn her down, the server happened to save her.
The server stepped forward and asked the two of them, "How many are dining with us?"
"Two," Willow Lane said.
"All right, please come with me." The server smiled at them and said, "You came at just the right time. We have quite a lot of guests today, and we've only reserved one VIP private room. If any other VIPs arrive, there might not be any room left..."
The group turned and was just about to go inside.
Claire Bennett's eyes darkened as she spoke up. "Wait!"
If it had been anyone else, Claire Bennett might have let it go.
But the people she had run into were Willow Lane and Yvonne Yu. Back when she was at Bennett Group, they had both belonged to Ava Bennett's camp and had done plenty to help her go after Claire Bennett.
There was no way she was going to let the two of them walk all over her!
Only then did Willow Lane and Yvonne Yu notice Claire Bennett standing in front of them.
Willow Lane's face immediately darkened, and she snapped, "Claire Bennett, you actually came to eat at a place like this too, and you're even trying to cut in line!"