Chapter 5 Knowing His Place

People in the company openly displayed their disdain for Carsten.

Their initial perception of him as a tall, handsome man, the epitome of a good match for Nadine, had crumbled. It appeared they had misjudged him.

However, Carsten paid no mind to their disapproval.

In his eyes, these individuals were mere ants scurrying at his feet as he surveyed the landscape from his perch atop the social pyramid.

He could easily crush them, but he saw no reason to waste his time.

His focus lay on more pressing matters.

He was keen to see Nadine's reaction, directing his gaze solely at her.

Nadine assumed his silence stemmed from embarrassment caused by their remarks.

Men, she mused, always feared losing face.

Despite their lack of romantic love, she had chosen him as her partner.

How could Denis mock him so callously?

"Denis, I recall your financial struggles when we started the company. Margot generously gave you fifty thousand dollars and borrowed an equal sum from friends and family. That's how you entered this venture, right? When your family first arrived in the city, jobless and without income, your wife supported the entire household, didn't she? You were essentially living off her, too!" Nadine retorted, leaving Denis red-faced with anger.

But that wasn't enough to quell her fury. She held Carsten's arm deliberately and continued, "Yes, my man may be financially strained right now, but he's willing to work hard and make a fresh start. A resilient man like him, who has weathered significant setbacks, will undoubtedly achieve greatness in the future. Unlike someone lacking self-awareness, always adopting a condescending attitude toward others."

Denis's expression darkened.

"Nadine, it's not like that. I've amassed considerable wealth over the years. I didn't rely on Margot for money."

"Didn't Margot buy that house for you?" Nadine countered.

"I..." Denis faltered, unable to deny it.

Her words painted a different picture of Denis for the onlookers.

They were surprised that Denis' success was fueled by the unwavering support and encouragement of his devoted wife.

But it was perplexing. Weren't Nadine and Denis on good terms?

Why the sudden harshness?

Did they fall out?

Shock rippled through everyone. Nadine herself realized the impact.

She had rejected Denis, refusing his despicable request, and this was Denis' retaliation.

Her days at the company wouldn't be peaceful henceforth.

But Nadine felt no fear.

"Denis, why the long face? Are you upset about what I said? If you're uncomfortable, skip the dinner with us and head home. I doubt you have much of an appetite now."

She then instructed everyone to board the cars.

With only two vehicles, a commercial one and a car, no extra seats left for Nadine and Carsten after other employees boarded. Nadine resorted to taking a taxi using her Uber app.

Denis remained standing, his hatred for Nadine evident after the employees left.

"Nadine, must you embarrass me in front of everyone? Do you hold a grudge against me?"

"Denis, after all these years of working together, don't you know me? I don't go looking for trouble, but if trouble finds me, I won't back down. Besides, you were the one who mocked my husband first."

Denis sneered at the mud on Carsten's pants. "He's bankrupt and useless. I was just stating facts!"

"What did you just say? I dare you to say that again!" Nadine warned him with a stern look.

Denis dared not utter another word.

He was fearful that this woman would unleash her fury like last time and slap him.

Tension lingered between Nadine and Denis when they exchanged harsh words.

However, Carsten, watching from the sidelines, remained composed.

His father adeptly hid their true financial status, portraying him as bankrupt and destitute.

Being labeled like this was a new experience for him.

Yet, Nadine felt no shame in marrying him.

At that moment, the driver's call interrupted their tense standoff.

After picking up the phone, Nadine's gaze lingered on the parked car by the roadside. She purposefully clasped Carsten's hand in front of Denis and said, "Sweetheart, let's go."

This marked the second occasion today that she intentionally held Carsten's hand, a move Carsten discerned as a deliberate act on her part.

Despite this realization, he opted not to decline.

After getting in the car, he looked at her and deliberately asked, "Didn't I embarrass you just now?"

"No, not at all."

Nadine then belatedly noticed that she was still holding his hand.

Blushing, she hastily let go and consoled him, "Don't let his words bother you. Instead of fruitlessly trying to alter others' opinions, focus on endeavors of greater significance. Don't squander your time on these futile social endeavors."

Carsten often imparted similar advice to the executives and employees at his company. He didn't need her to reiterate it.

But he listened to her patiently.

Nadine instructed the driver to take them home first to put the chicken and vegetables in the fridge.

Carsten took the opportunity to change.

En route to the restaurant, Nadine asked, "Your father has back issues, right? Won't it be painful for him to toil in the fields? Encourage him to take a break and not overexert himself."

However, Alfred didn't personally tend to the farm.

The villa boasted numerous servants to do that.

He owned a big manor in the center of the city. Alfred preferred delegating the agricultural tasks.

Carsten, though, refrained from divulging the truth.

When they reached the restaurant, Denis and the employees were already present but barred from entering the booked room.

The portly manager apologized, "Mr. Wells, I regret to inform you that the reserved room is occupied, and alternatives are unavailable today. Could you dine elsewhere? I sincerely apologize."

Denis retorted, "Someone's in the room I booked? I don't care who it is. They need to leave immediately!"

"Sir, the occupants are senior officials, and I cannot offend them."

"Are you implying I'm less important than them?"

"I didn't mean that. I simply can't arrange a private room for you today. On your next visit, I'll offer a fifty percent discount as a sincere apology. Today is exceptionally busy for us, and I'll make amends next time."

The fat manager hurried away as if preoccupied with urgent matters, leaving Denis feeling humiliated.

His employees urged him to let it go and dine elsewhere, but Denis, seething with anger, was determined not to back down.

"Wait for me here. I know the restaurant owner. He'll secure a private room for us."

Denis had only met the owner once at a friend's dinner party.

At that dinner party, despite Denis's attempts to curry favor, the owner rebuffed him due to their disparate social statuses. Denis had asked the owner for a contact, but his request was also denied.

Nadine, aware of the situation, approached Denis.

"Let's dine elsewhere. He won't allocate a room for you even if you speak to his boss. Don't waste our time."

Fuelled by anger, Denis grew even more incensed at her words.

"Nadine, what's the meaning of this? Are you also trying to demean me? I won't stand for it! Do you believe your husband can be helpful?"

"Must you continually involve my husband? I'm advising you not to waste everyone's time!"

"I haven't contacted Mr. Riley yet. How can you be certain he won't assist us?"

Denis persisted in seeking Hank Riley, the owner.

Following a futile search, he returned disheartened. "Mr. Riley is absent from his office. Let's go elsewhere."

Miffed, Nadine shook her head.

Carsten glanced at the clock and remarked, "It's already seven forty."

Impatience tinged his tone slightly.

Ordinarily, he meticulously planned his schedule and abhorred squandering time on frivolous waits.

Despite his impatience, he maintained a composed demeanor.

Turning to Nadine, he suggested, "Shall we dine at this restaurant? I'll check if a private room is available."

"You?" Denis nearly burst into laughter. "Even I couldn't secure a private room. What makes you think you can? Spare yourself the embarrassment, please!"

"Denis, could you refrain from such stupid remarks when addressing my husband?" Nadine chided.

"Stupid?" Denis glanced at Carsten and remarked, "I believe he's unaware of his place. That's all."

Nadine felt a pang of embarrassment.

Whispering in Carsten's ear, she said, "Mr. Fletcher, I understand you've faced humiliation, but this isn't the way to salvage your pride. Let it go. Let's dine elsewhere."

"It's okay. I've got this." Patting her arm, Carsten got his phone and made a call.

On one hand, he was averse to wasting more time.

Because after dinner, he needed to go through a document.

On the other hand, Denis had taunted him due to his new identity.

Nadine was his wife. He couldn't stand by while she was being insulted.

Seeing Carsten coming back from the call, Denis scoffed again. "Don't pretend to make a call. Nadine, if your husband secures a private room today, I'll bark like a dog and apologize to him!"