Chapter 39: Trouble Amiss

Maya’s POV

I stared at my phone with growing frustration.

No matter what I did, Emerald Hugo refused to react.

Over the past few weeks, I had used different phone numbers to send her messages, pictures and even videos, hoping she would finally lose her composure and respond. Yet every single attempt ended the same way. She ignored everything as though I didn’t even exist.

My grip on the phone tightened. "You’re really full of yourself." The words escaped through my clenched teeth.

She was only acting this proud because she came from a wealthy family. She had always looked down on people like me, and even now, after losing Kelvin and Mercer Technologies, she still refused to acknowledge my existence.

A sneer appeared on my lips. "Don’t worry, Emerald. I will wipe that pride out of your life very soon."

The elevator came to a smooth stop before the doors slid open. I tucked my phone into my handbag and stepped into the hallway.

Before I had gone very far, one of the employees approaching from the opposite direction immediately greeted me respectfully.

"Good morning, Mrs. Mercer."

The title pleased me far more than I cared to admit. A smile naturally found its way onto my face.

"Good morning."

The young man was about to continue on his way when I suddenly called after him. "One moment."

He stopped and turned back immediately. "Yes, Mrs. Mercer?"

I smiled politely. "May I borrow your phone for a minute?"

Although he looked slightly confused, he didn’t hesitate to hand it over.

I accepted it with a smile before sending a few files to it and opening his WhatsApp. After selecting the pictures and video I wanted, I added Emerald Hugo’s contact to his phone and sent everything to her once again.

Only after confirming that the messages had gone through did I delete Emerald’s contact from his phone.

Satisfied, I handed the device back. "Thank you."

"My pleasure, Mrs. Mercer."

I watched him walk away before continuing towards Kelvin’s office. By the time I arrived outside his door, the unpleasant mood from earlier had already disappeared.

I knocked once before letting myself in.

Kelvin looked up from the documents spread across his desk, and the moment he saw me, a smile appeared on his face.

"Maya."

"I decided to come and see you." I walked over to him before leaning down to kiss his cheek. "I thought my hardworking fiancé deserved a little encouragement."

His smile widened as he slipped an arm around my waist. "I’m glad you came."

"So am I."

For a little while, we talked about ordinary things before my attention fell on an elegant invitation card resting on his desk.

"What is this?"

I reached for it. Before Kelvin could respond, I had already opened it. It turned out to be a wedding invitation for Vera Hugo, scheduled for next Saturday, addressed to an unfamiliar name.

The smile on my face faded ever so slightly.

I wasn’t surprised that neither Kelvin nor I had been invited. After everything that had happened with Emerald, it would have been strange if the Hugo family had willingly sent us an invitation.

Then another thought crossed my mind.

Emerald would definitely attend. It was her cousin’s wedding. There was no reason for her to miss such an important family occasion.

A slow smile gradually returned to my lips. Perhaps this wasn’t such disappointing news after all.

I looked up at Kelvin. "We should attend."

He looked at the invitation again before shaking his head. "I won’t."

I frowned. "Why not?"

"We weren’t invited." He answered so matter-of-factly that I almost rolled my eyes.

"So?" I placed the invitation back on the desk. "A Hugo family wedding isn’t just a wedding. Do you know how many influential people will be there? Business owners, investors, politicians..."

I looked directly at him. "If Mercer Technologies is looking for investors, isn’t that exactly the kind of place we should be?"

Kelvin considered my words for a moment before leaning back in his chair. "I still don’t think it’s appropriate."

His answer disappointed me. Not because of the wedding itself, but because Emerald would be there.

I hadn’t seen her in person since everything happened at Mercer Technologies. This wedding was the perfect opportunity.

I wanted to see her. I wanted her to remember that I was Kelvin’s fiancée. I wanted her to remember that in the end... I won.

Naturally, I wasn’t foolish enough to tell Kelvin any of that. Instead, I smiled and shrugged lightly. "If you don’t want to attend, then that’s fine. I’ll go alone."

He looked at me. "Why are you suddenly so interested in this wedding?"

"I’ve already told you." I met his gaze without hesitation. "If Mercer Technologies is serious about attracting investors, then we shouldn’t ignore opportunities like this."

He remained unconvinced, but I could tell he wasn’t going to argue with me over it. I reached for my phone.

"If I can’t go with you, then I’ll simply find someone else to take me."

Several calls later, I finally got the answer I wanted. An acquaintance readily agreed to take me as a guest. The moment the call ended, I smiled in satisfaction.

"There."

Kelvin shook his head helplessly. "You really don’t know when to give up."

"I never have." I stood up and walked over to him. "I have a nail appointment." Leaning down, I kissed him softly before smiling. "I’ll see you tonight."

"Drive carefully," he called after me.

"I always do." I picked up my handbag before leaving his office.

The smile stayed on my face all the way to the ground floor.

Today hadn’t turned out badly at all. Not only had I secured a way into the Hugo family’s wedding, but I was finally going to have my appointment at Wellness Spa.

More than two weeks ago, I had deliberately booked a session there.

Claire Scott owned the place. Honestly, I had expected my booking to be rejected. When it was accepted instead, I had been pleasantly surprised.

Apparently, she hadn’t banned me yet.

---

About forty minutes later, I walked into Wellness Spa.

The place was every bit as luxurious as I remembered it to be.

Elegant lighting reflected off polished marble floors, while soft music played quietly in the background.

Almost every woman I saw looked wealthy, and a few faces were even familiar from magazines and charity galas.

One of the attendants greeted me warmly before leading me to the nail section.

After I settled into the chair, another attendant politely introduced herself and began removing my old artificial nails one after another.

Everything was going smoothly until I heard a familiar voice.

"I’ll check this side before I leave."

I reacted instinctively. It was Claire. She was speaking to one of her staff members as she walked through the salon.

The moment she saw me, she stopped. The pleasant smile on her face disappeared. "What are you doing here?"

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it was firm enough to draw attention. Several nearby customers looked in our direction. But I remained seated.

"I booked an appointment."

Claire shifted her gaze to the attendant working on my nails. "Stop."

The young woman froze immediately. "Ma’am..."

"I said stop," she demanded.

The attendant slowly lowered her hands. I turned to Claire with a frown. "You can’t cancel my appointment halfway through."

Claire folded her arms calmly. "Can’t I?"

"I made this booking over two weeks ago. You accepted it," I made that known to her. "I’ve done nothing to violate your policies."

Claire gave a quiet scoff. "So you actually read the membership agreement."

"I did."

"Good." She took a step closer. "Then you should also remember the clause that states the owner reserves the right to refuse service whenever necessary."

She held my gaze without blinking. "I own Wellness Spa, therefore I have every right to cancel your appointment."

Before I could respond, she looked towards another employee carrying a tablet. "Process Miss Fox’s compensation."

The young woman nodded immediately.

Claire continued, "Refund everything she paid." Then she paused before adding, "And transfer three times that amount into her account as compensation for cancelling her appointment and inconveniencing her."

My expression stiffened. This wasn’t about money anymore; she was throwing me out in front of everyone.

I laughed coldly. "I’ll leave terrible reviews for this place."

Claire didn’t even seem bothered. She looked at me as though I had said something insignificant. "Your reviews are like a drop of water in the ocean," she replied calmly. "They won’t make any difference."

I felt my face grow hot. "You will regret this."

She remained just as composed. "If you continue disturbing my customers, I’ll have security escort you outside. Or I can call the police."

She paused briefly. Then she leaned forward just enough that only I could hear her next words. "Or I can sue your silly ass." A faint smile appeared on her lips. "Which one would you prefer?"

My hands curled into fists. I had never felt so humiliated in my life. Without another word, I grabbed my handbag and stood up.

Only three of my artificial nails had been removed. The rest remained exactly as they were. I turned sharply and stormed towards the exit.

By the time I reached my car, my chest was still rising and falling with anger. I yanked the driver’s door open before throwing my handbag onto the passenger seat.

The humiliation I had just suffered replayed itself over and over in my mind. Claire Scott...

I gritted my teeth so hard that my jaw ached. "This isn’t over. I’ll make you regret today."

No matter how long it took, I would return this humiliation to her.