Sweet Love 2x: Miss Ruthless CEO for our Superstar Uncle-Chapter 134: On My Tab

Nate’s bar was quieter than most places in the district, which was why the Brotherhood preferred it.

From outside it looked ordinary. A narrow brick building between a restaurant and a small gallery, its modest sign hanging above the entrance. People walking past rarely gave it more than a passing glance.

Inside, the space felt entirely different. Warm, low light reflected against the polished wooden counter that stretched along one wall. Rows of carefully arranged bottles stood behind the bar, their glass surfaces catching the amber glow. Quiet music drifted through the room—low enough that conversation continued without anyone raising their voice.

Arianne stepped through the door and paused as the warmth replaced the cool evening air.

Nate noticed her immediately. He stood behind the bar polishing a glass, a white towel draped over his shoulder.

"About time."

His tone was casual, the greeting for a regular rather than a guest.

Julian turned on his stool and raised a hand. "There she is."

Gilbert sat two seats away, a tall glass of mineral water in front of him. Franz stood beside him with one arm resting against the counter.

Nate finally looked up as Arianne approached.

"You’re late."

"I had a meeting that ran longer than expected."

Nate set the glass down and reached for a bottle without asking.

"That’s disappointing. I was hoping you’d arrive early enough to help me convince Julian to pay for everyone’s drinks."

Julian laughed. "That’s never happening."

Nate ignored the protest and slid the filled glass across the counter.

"There. Your usual."

The glass stopped neatly in front of her.

Arianne rested her hand against the cool surface for a moment before lifting it. The faint scent of citrus rose as she took a small sip. She settled onto the empty stool between Franz and Gilbert. The seat creaked softly as she adjusted her position.

For a few moments they simply sat together, the quiet comfort of familiarity filling the space while Nate reached for another bottle. Ice rattled in the shaker.

Then Nate glanced around with an expression that suggested a new idea.

"You know," he said slowly, "I’ve been thinking about everyone’s roles here."

Julian immediately sighed. "That sentence never leads anywhere good."

Nate lifted a finger. "Let me finish."

He gestured toward Arianne. "I’m your drinking buddy."

Arianne raised one eyebrow. "Have you."

"Yes. It’s an important position."

He nodded toward Gilbert. "Gil is your gym buddy."

Gilbert took a sip. "That’s surprisingly accurate."

He and Arianne attended the same gym—not for workouts, but to exert stress into martial arts.

Nate turned toward Julian. "And Julian is your extremely distant cousin."

Julian nearly dropped his glass. "Distant cousin? Where did that come from?"

Nate shrugged. "You argue like family."

"We are family. Aria is technically my second cousin."

"Extremely distant cousins," Nate insisted.

Franz chuckled quietly beside Arianne.

Julian leaned back and shook his head. "I’m reconsidering why I come here."

Nate leaned against the counter. "Speaking of family arrangements."

His gaze shifted between Arianne and Franz.

"I heard from a little bird that Franz announced he was covering all your living expenses before you got married."

Julian laughed. "That was a memorable conversation."

Nate nodded. "He didn’t even ask. He just declared it as if the decision had already been made."

Franz lifted his glass calmly. "It had."

The little bird that ratted him out must be Lucas.

Nate grinned at the simple answer. He tapped the counter lightly with his knuckles.

"Well," he said, glancing toward Arianne again, "you disappeared for five years and came back running half the city."

His tone remained playful, but curiosity lingered.

"So tell me something. I heard you inherited a massive amount from the Conways. Are you finally as loaded as he is now?" He pointed to Franz.

The question lingered.

Arianne lifted her glass slowly. The light reflected across the surface as she raised it.

Her answer came in the same calm tone she used during board meetings.

"I’m worth more than the four of you combined."

The statement settled across the bar with quiet certainty.

Nate stared at her for a second before bursting into laughter.

Julian nearly choked on his drink.

"That’s the most confident answer I’ve heard all week," Nate managed.

Julian lifted his glass. "I admire the ambition."

Franz rested his elbow lightly against the counter while watching her.

"If she says that," he said calmly, "I’m inclined to believe her."

Nate laughed again. "Oh good. Now we’re encouraging it."

Julian leaned back and raised his glass. "Well, if that’s true, we should probably start treating you with more respect."

He turned toward Nate. "Put her drinks on my tab tonight. I want to stay on good terms with the richest person here."

Nate immediately shook his head. "This is my bar."

"Exactly," Julian replied. "Which means you should appreciate my generosity."

Laughter filled the bar.

Arianne simply took another sip.

Across the counter, Gilbert watched the exchange quietly. He had not laughed when Arianne answered. Instead he studied her expression.

He and Alex knew something the others did not. Arianne rarely exaggerated. When she spoke directly, she usually meant exactly what she said.

Gilbert lifted his glass and took a quiet sip, saying nothing.

Nate wiped his hands on a towel and leaned forward. "So. Let’s talk about that banquet."

Julian groaned. "Do we have to?"

"The Rochefort Anniversary Banquet," Nate continued calmly.

Julian rubbed his temple. "I’ve never seen that many reporters in one place."

"They were outside the building three hours early."

Franz glanced toward Arianne. "You handled it well."

"It was expected." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Nate began pouring another round. "You’d think someone was announcing a merger instead of hosting an anniversary dinner."

Julian leaned forward. "Half the city’s executives showed up. That’s what happens."

Nate set the bottle down. "The interesting part wasn’t who attended."

Julian sighed. "With you it never is."

Nate shrugged. "I hear things."

"That’s a concerning statement."

Nate ignored him. "Analysts are already discussing the guest list. Investors are speculating about which companies were talking to each other."

Julian shook his head slowly. "I still don’t understand how you hear about these conversations."

Nate smiled. "People talk in bars."

"That sounds dangerously simple."

Nate reached for another bottle. "Oh, and speaking of conversations..."

Julian looked toward him. "What now?"

"I heard Audrey Sawyer interviewed Gilbert this morning."

Julian turned immediately. "You did?"

Gilbert nodded once. "It was a professional interview."

"About what?"

"Corporate networks."

Julian looked amused. "That sounds exciting."

"It was efficient."

Nate chuckled. "I also heard something else."

Franz glanced toward him. "That’s rarely reassuring."

Nate leaned against the bar. "Apparently Noah Hart is preparing for a luxury campaign shoot."

Franz raised an eyebrow. "Your sources in the entertainment industry are active."

Nate grinned. "It’s a perfume campaign."

Julian laughed. "You’re doing perfume ads now?"

Franz leaned back. "I’m acting."

"That’s a generous interpretation."

The conversation settled while Nate returned a bottle to the shelf.

"There’s also another rumor circulating," he said.

Julian sighed. "I’m almost afraid to ask."

Nate glanced briefly toward Arianne. "Some people have been whispering about Dominic and Diana."

Franz remained still beside her.

"What about them?" he asked in Arianne’s stead.

Nate lifted one shoulder. "Apparently their marriage isn’t going well."

Julian frowned. "That’s just gossip."

"Probably," Nate agreed. "There’s no proof."

The bar grew momentarily quiet.

Arianne set her glass down gently on the counter.

"Their marriage has nothing to do with me."

Nate nodded immediately. "Fair enough."

The subject ended there.

Julian leaned back in his chair while Nate wiped the counter slowly with a clean cloth.

Franz watched the room’s quiet movement.

Gilbert finished the last of his drink.

Outside, the city lights stretched across the skyline as night settled over the streets below.

Inside, the group remained gathered around the counter, their conversation drifting easily into other topics while the evening continued.