Caspian Rhodes, who also knew the full story, almost lost his composure. After a moment, he looked to the others for confirmation. "Is that what happened?"
Aside from Hector Donovan, who would shamelessly agree with anything his sister said, no one else dared to speak. They stared at the ceiling or the floor—anywhere but at Caspian Rhodes.
Jacqueline Jennings wanted to object, but her wrist was still in someone's grasp. Gritting her teeth, she had no choice but to take the blame. "...Yes. She's right."
Caspian Rhodes let out a long sigh, pretending to believe the absurd excuse. "Ms. Jennings, that was truly rather impolite of you."
Jacqueline Jennings knew she had to swallow her pride today. "This is on me," she said coldly. "I failed to manage my people properly, which led to this mess. I will drink three glasses as a penance and an apology to Mr. Rhodes. Tonight's bill is on me, and I'll have the manager bring a fresh table of food for everyone."
Hector Donovan scoffed. 'You want to treat us? I'd probably lose my appetite just thinking about it.'
Meanwhile, Sheldon Webb and Director Grant didn't dare say a word. When titans clash, it was no place for mere mortals like them.
Caspian Rhodes understood Jacqueline Jennings's implication. She was yielding to him today, not to the others in the room.
He glanced subtly at Arabella Donovan, only to find her staring into space, clearly uninterested in the outcome of their negotiation.
For some reason, he felt an unexpected urge to take her side. He smiled. "I don't particularly mind, but Best Actor Donovan only agreed to this dinner as a favor to me. Ms. Jennings, your actions have been something of a disappointment."
His words were a blatant message to Jacqueline Jennings: the ones she should be apologizing to were not him, but the other guests in the room.
It wasn't just Jacqueline Jennings; even Sheldon Webb and the others stared in astonishment, unable to believe Caspian Rhodes would offend an industry magnate like her for their sake.
Jacqueline Jennings hadn't expected Caspian Rhodes to show her so little deference. Once the surprise faded, her expression turned even fouler.
An apology would have been one thing, but Caspian Rhodes's stance made it clear he intended to protect the Donovan siblings. If she tried to stir up trouble for them later over this, there was no guarantee she wouldn't end up offending him.
The Rhodes Family may not have deep roots in the entertainment industry, but a top-tier powerhouse like them possessed an intricate web of connections. Offending him meant you never knew when he might cause you to suffer a major fall.
In the end, circumstances were not in her favor. She couldn't win in a physical fight, nor did she dare to offend the man. Jacqueline Jennings could only swallow this bitter pill in humiliation.
"Mr. Rhodes is right. I am truly sorry for ruining everyone's dinner this evening. Please accept this drink as my apology."
Jacqueline Jennings spoke these words through gritted teeth, then snatched the only unscathed glass of liquor from the table and downed it in one go.
Seeing that the matter was settled, Arabella Donovan quietly released her grip.
Jacqueline Jennings shook her numb right hand. Her icy gaze swept across the room before she unleashed her fury on the few bodyguards who were staggering to their feet.
"What are you waiting for? Get out! You're a disgrace."
As she watched the entertainment industry's queen of capital storm away, surrounded by her bodyguards, Arabella Donovan's eyes lit up as she looked at Caspian Rhodes.
'Okay, Mr. Rhodes, I admit I was a little too loud with you earlier! In just a few sentences, you forced that old witch to bow her head and apologize to us. That was so damn cool!'
Hector Donovan had been secretly gloating over Jacqueline Jennings's humiliation, but his sister's thought set off alarm bells. He glared at Caspian Rhodes as if he were a wild boar about to trample his prize cabbage, his eyes shooting daggers.
Caspian Rhodes, of course, noticed Hector Donovan's hostility. His eyes flickered, a thoughtful expression on his face.
Hector Donovan was unaware that his look of profound resentment had already aroused suspicion. He was just about to metaphorically sharpen his knives for the wild boar when he heard Arabella Donovan's excited follow-up thought.
'Based on what you did tonight, from now on, we're basically blood brothers from another mother!'
Hector Donovan: "?" *What a plot twist.*
Caspian Rhodes: "..." 'I'm good, but thanks.'
"I share some of the blame for today's events," Caspian said. "I shouldn't have rashly agreed to let someone else join our table, and I'm very sorry that it gave all of you a bad experience."
Director Grant finally found an opportunity to chime in. "Mr. Rhodes, you're too kind," he said hastily. "This was a complete accident. It's in no way your fault."
"In that case, I'll have them prepare another table..."
Before Caspian Rhodes could finish, Hector Donovan cut him off. "There's no need. It's getting late, and we have scenes to film tomorrow. I'm going to take my sister home to rest."
While the others didn't dare to be as blunt, they quickly voiced their agreement.
"We were actually all full anyway."
"Right, right, we'd already eaten our fill. Ordering another table would just be a waste. No need to go to all that trouble."
No wonder Sheldon Webb and the others looked miserable. If they had to keep eating this meal, they were genuinely worried they'd get indigestion.
Caspian Rhodes knew that after tonight's incident, no one was likely to have an appetite, so he didn't press the issue.
"Then please allow me to take you home." Caspian Rhodes glanced at Arabella Donovan and added, before Hector Donovan could refuse, "Let it be my apology for tonight."
Hector Donovan was at a loss for words, his face grim as he remained silent.
Since there were too many people, Caspian Rhodes called for another car.
Sheldon Webb and Director Grant, who had been on pins and needles all evening, scrambled into the newly arrived car at the first opportunity. They locked the doors and announced that their route was different from the Donovans', leaving Caspian Rhodes with the "trouble" of personally driving the siblings home.
Hector Donovan strongly condemned and despised their desertion. After pushing his sister into the car, he quickly followed, planting himself between her and Caspian like an immovable mountain to prevent any physical contact.
Arabella Donovan, however, was completely oblivious to his painstaking efforts, sneaking a few glances at Caspian Rhodes from behind Hector Donovan's back.
'Mr. Rhodes is surprisingly nice, personally driving us home. He's handsome, rich, and totally down-to-earth. Could he be... a legendary eligible bachelor?'
Caspian Rhodes, who was rather taken aback by this description: "..."
Hector Donovan was conflicted. Hector Donovan was silent. Hector Donovan was so furious he felt like smoke was about to pour out of his ears!
"How do you and Ms. Jennings know each other, Mr. Rhodes?" Hector asked. "From your conversation just now, you two seemed quite familiar."
As Hector Donovan spoke, he shot his sister a look, his eyes practically twitching with meaning, as if to say, 'My dearest sister, did you hear me? This Mr. Rhodes you're so impressed with is well-acquainted with that madwoman, Ms. Jennings. As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together. If she's that bizarre, can he be any better?'
Unfortunately, Arabella Donovan's attention wasn't on him. All of Best Actor Donovan's meaningful glances were lost on her.
Caspian Rhodes, on the other hand, saw right through Hector Donovan's little ploy and couldn't help but find the siblings fascinating.
One of them appeared innocent but was full of mischief, telling bald-faced lies without a moment's hesitation.
The other was a superb actor, yet he wore his heart on his sleeve whenever his sister was involved.
Just like right now, when he looked like he wanted to kick Caspian out of the car.