**Chapter 29: Conflict in the Restaurant** Janet's heart raced as she set down the menu, the color draining from her face. The ambience of the upscale restaurant, once so inviting, now felt stifling and tense. She rose from her seat, her eyes locking onto the two chatty waitresses who had approached their table with an air of condescension. "What exactly are you talking about?" she demanded, her voice steady but laced with indignation. "There’s no time limit for ordering here. Can’t we take a moment to decide what we’d like to eat?" The waitresses exchanged glances, their expressions dripping with disdain as they sized up Janet and Ethan. Disregarding them as mere nuisances, they felt secure in their assumption that the couple’s modest dress indicated they were out of place in this elegant establishment. "We didn't mean any offense. Perhaps there's been a misunderstanding?" One waitress smirked, feigning innocence. "Exactly," the other piped in, a hint of mockery in her tone. "We were just discussing our choices." Ethan, who had been quietly pouring a glass of water for Janet, shot up from his chair, anger flashing in his eyes as he confronted the two women. "No, it's not a misunderstanding. I heard every condescending word you said," he retorted. The waitresses paled, their confidence shaken for a moment as they gauged the brewing storm in Ethan’s gaze. "Are you two trying to start trouble?" one of them whimpered, her tone suddenly defensive. Just then, the restaurant manager cut through the growing tension, striding toward their table, his expression one of derisive authority. He looked from Janet and Ethan to the hapless waitresses, irritation etched across his brow. "That’s enough!" he barked. "Stop causing a scene! What’s going on here?" One of the waitresses seized the opportunity to shift blame, pointing an accusatory finger at Ethan. "These two have been hogging the table, staring at the menu without ordering anything. We simply reminded them to make a choice, and they got offended," she explained, her voice rising in feigned outrage. The manager’s demeanor darkened, and a frown deepened across his face as he nodded, begrudgingly accepting her account. This restaurant, the pride of the Larson Group, attracted a clientele that often lingered too long without ordering, looking to snap a few Instagram-perfect pictures rather than enjoy a meal. He already surmised who these two were: unwelcome intruders of the fine dining experience. "Alright, I understand what's happening here," he declared, straightening his blazer as if to emphasize his authority. He pivoted toward Janet and Ethan. "I'm afraid you’ll need to leave. It seems you have no intention of ordering, and we need to free up the table for other diners." Ethan's expression darkened further, disbelief flashing in his eyes. He could hardly fathom that a restaurant under the Larson name would stoop to such a level of poor service. How had Garrett allowed such rudeness to fester among his staff? Folding his arms defiantly, he shot back, "What makes you think we won't order? You blindly trust their words and refuse to hear our side." The tense exchange had drawn the attention of nearby diners, forks suspended mid-air, and whispers rippled through the crowd. Some curious onlookers peered through the glass doors, eyes wide with intrigue as they witnessed the drama unfold. The manager's nervousness escalated; any further escalations could damage the restaurant’s reputation irreparably. "I’ve already spoken to the staff. You’re both just making trouble for no reason!" he retorted, his voice laced with desperation. With a glance at the door, he grabbed the walkie-talkie clipped to his uniform. "Security, come to the second floor—there’s a couple causing a disturbance. Hurry and escort them out." Fury surged through Janet as she realized the manager had invoked security. She marched closer to him, eyes ablaze with indignation. "This is a high-end establishment, yet you disrespect your customers and your staff so openly! Our experience here is abysmal, and you're ready to throw us out for merely pointing that out?! My husband has done nothing wrong! This is unacceptable!" The manager’s face hardened as glances from the surrounding patrons turned into audible whispers. Panic flickered in his eyes as he barked back, "Stop spreading nonsense! You’re ruining our reputation! This place prides itself on exceptional service!" Ethan, suppressing a smile, appreciated his wife's fierce defense. It filled him with pride to see her stand up against the tide of rudeness that surrounded them. The tension hung thick in the air, ready to snap. In that moment, Janet and Ethan were no longer just diners but warriors defending their dignity against a tide of ignorance.