13. Sterling’s Contemptuous Farewell
As the Martinez family prepared to leave, Sterling noticed and quipped, “Leaving so soon? I hope Lumière met your… expectations,” eliciting laughter from his table. Carlos nodded constrainedly, Maria grasped a secret note, and innocent Sarah waved back.
Sterling, smirking, leaned back, savoring his triumph and savored his drink, oblivious to the cosmic balance shifting. The scales of the universe began to tilt, directing the arrow of karma squarely towards him.