Chapter 379 - 377: Scammer

Cecilia Sterling ignored John Lawson, her gaze turning deep and focused on the woman.

The woman was already annoyed that Cecilia’s sudden appearance and greeting had disrupted the rhythm of her scam. Now, feeling Cecilia’s stare, the woman forced a calm smile and asked naturally, "Is she one of your students?"

John Lawson nodded. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Cecilia suddenly walk over to his side, nonchalantly pick up the bill from the table, and start examining it as if no one else was there.

’Good grief.’

The bill came to almost ten thousand!

She’d eaten at plenty of fine restaurants, but this price per person was outrageous. The key thing was, the two of them had only ordered four dishes and a bottle of wine.

’Are they trying to fleece John Lawson?’

Cecilia kept looking at the bill, occasionally glancing up at the woman across the table. Though she said nothing, the pressure of her presence was intense.

The woman was an old hand at this, but even she felt a little creeped out by Cecilia’s stare. She guiltily checked the time on her watch.

John Lawson was also confused by Cecilia’s behavior. "Cecilia?"

"Director Lawson, are you on a blind date?"

Cecilia finally spoke, asking a question to which she already knew the answer.

Being caught on a blind date by his own student—and with their tables so close, she might have overheard some of what they’d said—made John Lawson undeniably awkward. He gave a sheepish laugh.

He had a very good impression of the woman, so he didn’t deny it.

Seeing her chance, the woman chimed in, "Well, Mr. Lawson, I’ll let you talk with your student. I have a yoga class this afternoon and I’m about to be late, so I’ll be going."

With that, she got up to make her escape.

"Wait a minute."

But Cecilia stopped her, shaking the bill in her hand. "Ordering such expensive wine and food on a first blind date with a man... isn’t that a bit inappropriate?"

The woman’s expression changed at her words. She looked at John Lawson, a mixture of shock and shame on her face. "Mr. Lawson, what is the meaning of this? If you think it’s too expensive, you could have just said so. I’ll pay for it!"

John Lawson was also taken aback by Cecilia’s words. He thought it was too expensive too, but you couldn’t just say that to someone’s face.

"Great. Then you pay!"

Cecilia didn’t give John Lawson a chance to speak, turning her head to the waiter. "Did you hear that? This lady wants to pay the bill!"

The waiter stood there, stunned, clearly unsure how to react.

Because the waiter knew exactly who the woman was. The only mark for the day was John Lawson.

"Cecilia, what are you doing?"

John Lawson grew anxious and pulled out his phone to pay. "Here, scan my code!"

Cecilia swiftly snatched the phone from his hand, locked the screen, and confiscated it, leaving John Lawson dumbfounded.

"But..."

John Lawson looked imploringly at Cecilia. He knew her character well enough to know she wasn’t someone who caused trouble for no reason. But why was she so determined to stop him from paying today?

"Director Lawson, you’re a highly educated man, a university counselor. Can’t you see through such a low-level scam?"

"A... a scam?"

John Lawson looked at Cecilia, then at the woman, and finally at the bill.

It was as if his head, which had been clouded by her beauty, began to clear. He was a smart man, after all. With Cecilia’s warning being so blunt, it was impossible for him to remain completely lost in his delusion.

"Is... is that true?" John Lawson looked at the woman, his eyes filled with disappointment. "Were you scamming me?"

Seeing that her scam had been exposed, but knowing she couldn’t admit it, the woman’s face darkened. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

She turned to leave, but Saul Thorne stepped forward and blocked her path.

"Ma’am, you’re not going anywhere."

Just then, someone emerged from inside the restaurant. The man in the lead, who seemed to be the owner, glared at Cecilia’s group. "Don’t cause trouble here. You’re interrupting my business!"

"Owner, this is no way to run a business, is it?"

With no trace of fear on her face, Cecilia turned back, picked up the bottle of baijiu from the table, and opened an app to search for it, only to find that this particular brand didn’t exist online.

"This wine isn’t even on the market, and you have the nerve to sell it for such a high price?"

"This wine is exclusive to our restaurant. Is there a problem?" The owner’s expression hardened; he wasn’t scared at all.

To dare pull off a scheme like this, they must have had some connections.

Cecilia scoffed. "Exclusive? I think you mean you produce and sell it yourselves. Is it registered with the relevant authorities? Do you have the proper alcohol supply permits? Selling an unlicensed product at an exorbitant price is illegal!"

Cecilia remained perfectly composed, but every word she spoke was like dancing on their last nerve.

But she was fearless, because...

The police had arrived.

Saul Thorne had messaged his colleagues as soon as John Lawson had tried to pay.

Several plainclothes officers strode into the restaurant. The arrogant look hadn’t even faded from the owner’s face when the lead officer shoved his badge right in front of him. "Police. We’ve received a report that your restaurant is using meal escorts and dual menus to rip off customers. Please cooperate with our investigation."

The owner’s eyes went wide with shock. ’I have connections at the bureau! Someone would have tipped me off if there was going to be a raid.’

’How did this turn into a surprise attack?’

"Officer, this must be a misunderstanding, right?" the owner said, snapping out of it and quickly trying to explain. He subconsciously pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket to offer them around. "We’re all on the same side here. Have a smoke."

"Watch your attitude. We’re the police. Who’s on the same side as you?"

the lead officer snapped, his expression stern. He then turned his gaze toward Cecilia’s group.

"Saul Thorne!"

"Captain Griffin!"

Saul Thorne greeted him. "The parties involved are all here. This woman is the meal escort, the restaurant uses dual menus to defraud customers, and they’re selling an unlicensed product at an exorbitant price. Has the Market Supervision Bureau been notified?"

Captain Griffin nodded. "They’re on their way."

Hearing this, the woman in red was so scared her legs went weak. All trace of her gentle, sophisticated demeanor vanished as she rushed to John Lawson’s side, pleading, "Mr. Lawson, this is a real misunderstanding! Please, explain to the police! I was just here on a blind date with you, I’m not some meal escort!"

John Lawson was completely clear-headed now. He silently pulled his hand back. Though he felt a pang of disappointment, what he felt more strongly was anger.

He had truly thought he’d met someone with whom things could have developed further, but she had betrayed the hope he had placed in that potential relationship.

"You can explain yourself to the police."

Watching him, Cecilia couldn’t help but sigh with pity. It was rare enough for a man his age to have his heart flutter again, only for it to end like this.

’He’ll probably have a hard time trusting anyone again, even if they’re sincere.’

"Saul, I’ll leave things here to you. Director Lawson and I are heading back to the university."

Cecilia walked up to Saul Thorne and spoke in a low voice. She wanted to get Director Lawson out of there first; the police could handle the rest.

Saul Thorne nodded with a helpless look on his face. It was his rare day off and he had hoped to go on a date with Cecilia, but with a case popping up, he had to stay and handle it. It was his duty.

Besides, he was already up to speed on what had happened.