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Emily gritted her teeth. After I paid, she said, “Miss Harper, I checked our system. You’re not a member.”
My heart raced, but I was prepared. “Is there a problem? These earrings were a gift from an ex.”
“Of course I’m not a Luxe member. Too annoying—endless event invites.”
Mark jumped in. “Use Your brain! She’s a VIP at all the high-end brands. Would she shop here? Emily, can you even do your job?”
“Shape up, or you’re out”” His voice got the manager rushing over hastily. “My apologies, ma’am. I’’ll serve you personally!”
He snapped at Emily, “Go and study the employee handbook!”
Emily clenched her jaw, glaring at me and Mark. “Liar! You’re a fraud!”
Unclear if she meant me or Mark, but I was pleased.
“Seems she’s unhappy. Forget it, I dont want it anymore.”
I dropped the paid-for necklace and turned to leave. Mark grabbed me, barking at Emily, “Apologize. Now!”
Emily teared up. “You’re doing this to me for her?”
I pulled out my phone, a bank balance notification popped up on the screen. Mark saw it, his eyes gleamed.
He roared at Emily, “Don’t make me file a complaint!”
Emily tore off her badge. “I quit!”
She stormed out, badge on the floor. I was stunned—such tantrum, almost like an heiress herself. Laura misjudged her. We needed to dig into Emily’s real identity.
Mark’s face darkened, and the manager kept apologizing. I took the necklace, and Mark drove me home, probing about my family’s business and whether I would inherit.
I hinted I was an only child, seeking a suitable partner to take over, as I wasn’t keen on business.
Sighing, I added, “Not sure if I’ll even find the right one though.”
“You will, you definitely will!”
He comforted me, grinning, then launched a violent pursuit. Reporting to Laura, she laughed, handing me a card. “Spend it however you want. We'll make Mark pay later.”
Laura and I had set up a perfect trap, but a text from Emily distracted us. She requested a meeting.
We barely sat down when Emily slapped a stack of documents on the table.
“Stop pretending. I know you’re working together!”
I froze, glancing at Laura, who sipped her coffee calmly. “So? We’re friends. Isn’t that normal?”
I also caught on. “Emily, you’re the one chasing a married man, and you dare say this?”
“You’re no better!” Emily sneered. “Laura, did you know she’s after your husband too?”
“I know. I hired her.”
I gasped, and Emily and I stared at each other.
Me: “Why’d you say it?”
Emily: “What? You planned this?!”
