Billionaire's Regret: Losing Me And Our Son - Chapter 45: Chapter 45

I was caught off guard by York's sudden display of intimacy, leaving me completely at a loss. As I instinctively frowned, a commotion erupted from the main hall.
"Do you even know how expensive this dress is? You couldn't afford to pay for it even if you worked as a waitress your whole life!" A woman's sharp voice cut through the noise.
Following the source, I saw Skylar standing in the crowd, her face flushed with anger. Her white evening gown had a glaring red wine stain on the chest, clearly the result of an unfortunate spill.
A young waitress stood before her, pale-faced and trembling, repeatedly apologizing. "I'm so sorry... I'll find a way to clean it—"
"Clean it? Do you have any idea that these luxury gowns can't be cleaned?" Skylar snapped, her tone dripping with disdain. Then, with no warning, she slapped the waitress hard across the face.
The waitress looked barely out of her teens, and as the sound of the slap echoed, tears welled up in her eyes before she broke into sobs.
The onlookers murmured amongst themselves, but no one stepped forward to help.
I was about to intervene when York stopped me, lowering his voice with a calm smile. "This isn't a situation where you should get involved. Let me handle it."
Without waiting for a response, he strode confidently into the hall. York handed the waitress a tissue before turning to Skylar with a polite smile. "I'll cover the cost of the dress."
Skylar glared at him, visibly annoyed. "And who are you to butt into this?" she snapped, her irritation clear.
Before she could continue, Mike, the man at her side, shot her a warning glance and offered York a handshake, his tone suddenly deferential. "You must be Mr. Smith from Maple Media. It's an honor to meet you! Here's my card."
Mike's respectful demeanor and the mention of "Maple Media" caused the crowd to stir. Conversations turned to whispers, and all eyes were on York.
Even I froze for a moment. Maple Media? That's a media giant on par with Madden Group in terms of influence and assets.
Up until now, I'd only known York as the head of a small subsidiary under Maple Media. It never occurred to me that he was someone this significant. No wonder no one in the room had recognized him—he had only recently returned to the country.
York didn't accept the business card. Instead, he turned to Skylar, his tone calm but firm. "Ms. Hinton, will you allow me to resolve this matter?"
Though his words were gentle, there was an unmistakable weight behind them. Skylar, visibly shaken by his presence, stammered, "Since Mr. Smith insists, I'll let it go."
"Thank you for being so understanding," York replied with a faint smile. "Now, please apologize to the young lady."
The waitress, still clutching her face, widened her eyes in disbelief.
Skylar's face twisted in disbelief. "Mr. Smith, are you serious? You want me to apologize to a waitress?"
She had been spoiled rotten since rejoining the Hinton family, and it was clear she wasn't used to being put in her place. She bit her lip, stubbornly refusing to back down.
York raised a brow, his tone suddenly laced with menace. "Or, if you prefer, I could arrange for her to return the slap."
Mike leaned in to whisper urgently in Skylar's ear. Whatever he said made her face turn pale.
Skylar reluctantly turned to the waitress and hissed through gritted teeth, "I'm sorry."
Without waiting for a response, she grabbed Mike's arm and stormed out of the gala in embarrassment.