Chapter 6 Just Call Off The Wedding

The restaurant buzzed with energy, every table filled and staff hustling to keep up. Polished branding and a meticulously curated menu had drawn in a crowd of elites-people with deep pockets, high status, or both.

As Daniela stepped inside, Daisy barreled toward her, shoving an apron and ill-fitting uniform at her chest. "About time you showed up! Can't you see we're drowning back there? Go scrub some damn dishes right now!"

Daisy, who had barely scraped through college and failed at every job hunt, was only here because Joshua's parents made her manager.

Whenever Daniela managed a day off, they dragged her in to handle the worst tasks-always the dirtiest, most thankless work.

She let the apron and uniform slide from her hands, with quiet composure, setting the bundle on a counter. "If business is that overwhelming, hire more staff. Don't tell me this place is raking in cash but can't afford a dishwasher."

Daisy stiffened mid-rant, thrown off by Daniela's calm, steely tone.

Something in Daniela's eyes-pure, icy authority-made Daisy falter and stumble over her words.

"I-I'm doing you a favor! This is your chance to prove yourself to my parents. If my brother drops you, let's see who's desperate then!"

A bitter laugh almost escaped Daniela.

After all those years of pitching in-sacrificing her time, never once complaining-they twisted it into her begging for scraps?

She met Daisy's glare with a cold, razor-sharp stare. Daisy wilted instantly, shoulders curling in.

Her tone was frosty as she cut through the clamor of the restaurant. "This entire place runs because of my money and my marketing. If basic gratitude is too much to expect, the least you people could do is stop acting like I'm your fucking maid. Don't confuse generosity with weakness, Daisy."

She glided to the prime table by the window, settled in, and flicked open the menu with a crisp snap.

Daisy stood rooted in place, her expression darkening by the second.

Without glancing up, Daniela spoke, her voice slicing through the tension. "What's wrong? Are you just going to stand there, or are you planning to serve your customer today?"

Daisy stormed over, her jaw clenched, sarcasm dripping from every word. "Do you even know the first thing about gourmet cuisine? These dishes are exclusive-our chef's creations, the kind of food you'd never see in your sad little existence. Ever had foie gras? Or caviar?"

Daniela didn't bother to argue with her. She flipped past the overpriced appetizers, selected a handful of signature dishes, and placed her order with effortless poise.

Daisy let out a snort of disbelief. "As if you could ever afford it. If you weren't about to marry my brother, you'd never have the chance to taste anything like this in your life!"

Without missing a beat, Daniela calmly lifted her water glass-and hurled the contents right into Daisy's face.

A piercing shriek erupted from Daisy, instantly drawing startled looks from every table in the restaurant.

Daniela leaned back in her chair, her voice measured, almost bored. "Considering how you act, Daisy, a glass of water was the least you deserved. Anyone else would've gone much further."

She offered a polite, chilling smile. "In case it's slipped your mind, I'm the one who invested in this place. I'm a founding shareholder-technically, I'm your boss. If you can't act like staff, maybe you shouldn't be here at all."

Daisy, seething with rage, yanked out her phone and stabbed Joshua's number with shaking fingers, her voice breaking into hysterics as soon as he picked up.

Minutes later, Joshua burst into the restaurant, his hair wild, shirt half-untucked, and a storm brewing in his eyes. He barely looked presentable, buttons mismatched and collar askew.

Daisy lunged for him, clutching his arm like a lifeline, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Josh, she drenched me with water and embarrassed me in front of everyone! You need to put that bitch in her place-now!"

Joshua's glare cut straight through Daniela as he bellowed, "Daniela!"

Daniela didn't flinch. She nonchalantly glanced over, her eyes briefly noting the faint red marks blooming along his neck, but her expression never wavered.

She stayed silent. With a measured calm, she rose to her feet-and delivered a sharp, ringing slap across Daisy's cheek.

Joshua was left gaping, stunned into silence. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Their shouting drew Joshua's parents out from the kitchen, both hurrying to the scene.

Amari Clark, Joshua's mother, immediately put on her favorite act-gentle, trembling concern. "Daniela, how could you strike Daisy like this? She's still young. Can't you let her off the hook for once?"

Kevin Clark, Joshua's father, chimed in, his voice stiff with accusation. "We always thought you'd be easy to deal with. Looks like we were wrong. If this is how you act now, what are you going to do after the wedding-tear the whole house down?"

Joshua's jaw clenched, thunderclouds darkening his expression as he turned to scold Daniela.

She settled calmly into her chair, a confident, radiant smile curving her lips. "If that's the case, just call off the wedding. It's not a big deal."

The room went dead silent.

Joshua stiffened, shock flickering in his eyes, and his family seemed frozen in place.

Meeting his gaze head-on, Daniela spoke with razor clarity. "Did you not hear your sister? She just called me a bitch. If your family don't show me the respect I deserve, why should I be nice to them?"

Joshua's expression grew even stormier, shadows gathering in his eyes.

Since they were yet to sign the deal with Serene Hospital, he couldn't risk pushing her any further.

He clenched his jaw and finally snapped, "You're right. Daisy was out of line."

Without another word, he seized Daisy by the wrist and shot her a warning glare. "Apologize. Now."

For a moment, Daisy tried to hold her ground. But under the weight of his stare, her bravado crumbled. Shoulders sagging, she mumbled, "Sorry."

Even Kevin and Amari were left speechless.

They had always trampled over Daniela without consequence-but this time was different.

Today, she didn't back down. She faced them with a quiet defiance, as if she had shed her old skin and stepped into someone entirely new.