“I’ll buy you this dress, Hope.” Maia smiled at Hope and gave her credit card to Ava. Ava looked at her boss uncertainly. Victoria nodded and she proceeded to process the payment. Maia and Hope got out of the gowns and headed to Victoria’s studio upstairs. Maia had to give it to Victoria. She was such a maniac when it came to designing gowns. Just about every tool a fashion designer needed was here, even the most unconventional ones.“Did you add more to your collection of tools, Victoria?” Hope stared at the marble table. There were design works all over it, including some of which she had never seen before. “I’m an excellent fashion designer.” Victoria praised herself and continued excitedly, “Allow me to show you around! I have a mind to buy the place next door and expand my studio!”She proceeded to show them around. “How is it? Nice, huh? Don’t you think it’s more amazing compared to the last time you were here, Hope?”“It’s certainly messier.”“You’re itching for a beat
Cedric sneered and asked, “What’s the matter? Are you trying to get paid from both sides?”“I knew you doted on Maia, but she insisted on paying me. So, I immediately tailored another dress and gave it to her as a gift. “What made you think I’d dare to play tricks on you? I might be a hothead but I know better than to get on the bad side of the both of you!”“It’s a given. It’s your honor that Maia wears your gown.”Victoria was speechless. She cleared her throat several times, “You’re right, Cedric. You saved my life and you’re my boss. Whatever you say goes!”“From here on out, you’ll be in charge of her gowns.”“Gotcha, Cedric.”“Put it on my tab.”“Alright! Loud and clear! Consider it done!” Victoria said. Then, Cedric hung up the phone. She looked at the phone and said, “I envy you, Maia. Cedric is so cold to everyone. You’re the only person in his heart. He cares about you in ways that astonish people around him.” She put her phone back into her pocket. Victoria had
"Yes, I know. I'll be waiting there." Maia hung up the phone promptly. Then, she quickly propped up the portrait against the living room wall and dialed Fernando's number. The call was quickly answered, and Fernando's friendly voice came through, "Hello? Maia.""Fernando, Ms. Rita and I will be coming to Beverley Manor later. I don't know why she's coming, but I'm worried she might harm Grandpa.""What? You and Madam are coming together? This..." Fernando was taken aback. He had not expected Maia to accompany Rita."It's a long story. She and I can never reconcile, but for now, she thinks I have amnesia, so she's treating me the way she did before. I need to be at Beverley Manor with her to see what she's up to!""Ms. Rita and Mr. Hans have never been on good terms. Back when Mr. Hans was still in good health, she caused him great suffering. There's so much history, and I have seen it all. Since Mr. Hans has been resting at Beverley Manor, she has never visited. She usually just
Fernando's expression remained unchanged."Ms. Rita, Ms. Maia, please have a seat. Mr. Hans is still resting. I'll go and see if he's awake," Fernando politely said. After uttering these words, he nodded to the two women and turned towards the antique staircase.Once Fernando left, Rita looked at her freshly painted bright red nails, somewhat dissatisfied, and said, "Are you juts going to sit there? Shouldn't you be preparing tea for your mother?""Of course, I'm sorry for forgetting my manners," Maia responded immediately, heading toward the nearby counter.She looked at the tea that Fernando had started preparing, and her gaze subtly changed. The counter was quite a distance from the living room. Maia had her back turned to Rita, so Rita could not see what she was doing.Maia began preparing the tea. She made one cup of tea and half filled it with salt, the temperature of the tea perfectly dissolving the fine salt particles.Then, holding the tea cup, Maia walked back to the li
"At your age, you don't even know if you will live to see tomorrow. What if something crucial for the fate of the Larkin family falls into the wrong hands? I am your daughter-in-law and the mother of your grandson. Can't you trust me?""Get out! Leave!" Hans's words echoed as he forcefully banged his cane on the ground. "I don't want to see you at Beverley Manor ever again! Rita, you can try as hard as you want, but I'll never give you what you desire!"Being frail, Hans could not sustain such strong emotions, and Fernando quickly rushed into the gazebo. Maia, sensing the tense situation, quickly followed.Fernando, despite his inner anger, had to remain civil to Rita. He could only politely say, "Ms. Rita, Mr Hans's health is not what it used to be. Why did you upset him so much? Please leave."Rita, determined to get what she wanted, was not about to leave without it."Maia, speak some sense into him. This old man has been stuck in Beverley Manor for so long that he has lost touch wi
Maia kicked Rita into the pond. Instantly, water splashed everywhere. Since Rita could not swim, she struggled in the water in an attempt to stay afloat, unknowingly making herself sink faster.Maia watched Rita's miserable state, continuously choking on water, and just coldly smirked. "Rita, compared to what you did to me, what's happening now is nothing. It's just a drop in the ocean."Maia's gaze became even colder. When Rita ran out of strength to struggle, Maia turned her attention to the bodyguards standing aside, hesitant to interfere."You can go and save her now." Leaving Rita to die here would be letting her off too easily. Besides, if she died where Hans was recuperating, it would be disrespectful, not to mention how it would ruin the picturesque pavilion. The bodyguard immediately jumped into the water and quickly pulled Rita out. Rita was completely drenched. She comically resembled a drowned rat, but she was mostly unharmed, despite being exhausted by what she had
In the past, when she was at her most helpless, it was Hans who extended his hand to help her. Now, it was her turn to repay the kindness."Well, well." Hans, his body supported by a cane, trembled slightly from excitement. Fernando, watching Maia, also nodded in approval.Hans beckoned to Maia. "My girl, come here, help me inside."Maia quickly approached, supporting Hans. Following that, Hans instructed Fernando, "Fernando, tidy up the pavilion, disinfect everywhere Rita sat, and open the pond valve. I don't want her germs contaminating my beautiful pond.""Yes, sir," Fernando responded promptly, immediately attending to the tasks.Maia continued to assist Hans towards the living room. "My girl, come upstairs with me," Hans said, beckoning Maia and pressing the elevator button. Feeling the gravity in Hans's tone, Maia knew he must have something important to discuss with her. She swiftly followed Hans into the elevator.Upon reaching the second floor, Maia accompanied Hans in
It was plain to see that Hans had made up his mind to give Maia his jade tablet.“I can’t take it.” She shook her head repeatedly, but Hans was adamant about it. He tossed aside his walking stick and got ready to kneel. How could she let him do that? Maia stopped Hans and said worryingly, “What are you doing, Grandpa? You can’t kneel before me. Please, get up!” She quickly held his arms.“I’ll kneel until you agree to keep it, Maia!” Hans knew she had a soft spot for him. “Do me a favor, Maia. The way you carry yourself as the CEO of Starlight Entertainment and the way you handled Rita tells me you’re best suited to safe-keep this jade tablet. “I have no idea what came between you and Cedric, but I’m asking you to do this favor for me, not him. Are you going to turn me down?”Maia looked at the valuable jade tablet in her hands and fell silent. Hans was a cunning man through and through. If it had not been for his old age and memory issues, he would have easily run rings aroun