Chapter 34 Harassed
Mr. Caldwell had just gone for his lunch break.
But given the sudden incident and the fact that both women were VIP customers, the saleslady had no choice but to call the manager.
Before long, Mr. Caldwell rushed over, haste written all over his face.
Upon entering, he greeted Ophelia with due respect, "Mrs. Brown, I had no idea you'd be visiting today. Next time, do let me know in advance so I can make proper arrangements to receive you."
"Mr. Caldwell," Ophelia countered, "Your staff has been questioning whether I'm a VIP in your establishment. Now that you're here, vouch for me, will you? And another thing, I'd like to rent the place. Please see to it that the other customers are escorted out."
The manager flashed a conciliatory smile, "Your reputation precedes you, Mrs. Brown. How many couture shows have you graced? My apologies, it's just a case of green staff not recognizing true valued guests. Please forgive the oversight."
The sales associate, who had previously underestimated Ophelia, was now awkward and anxious, "Mrs. Brown? As in the Browns from Imperial Capital?"
The manager's expression grew stern, he turned to instruct his employee, "Abigail, why haven't you apologized to Mrs. Brown yet?"
"Mrs. Brown, I was blind not to recognize you, I—"
But Ophelia wasn't there to make life hard for a sales associate.
She waved her hand dismissively, "Never mind that. Just have Miss Sinclair leave, and we'll call it even."
Abigail was in a tough spot, "Well... Miss Sinclair is Mr. Blackwood's fiancée, Mrs. Brown. I can't afford to offend you, nor can I afford to offend Miss Sinclair. I've heard that Mr. Blackwood and Robert are close friends; perhaps there's just a misunderstanding between you and Miss Sinclair. Wouldn't it be better for both of you to bury the hatchet, so as not to cause any rift between Mr. Blackwood and Robert?"
The clerk was clever, but only to a degree.
Ophelia chuckled, "Indeed, I am the daughter-in-law of the Browns and Robert's other half. But whether this Mary truly is Magnus's fiancée, and if she will end up marrying him, well, that's up for debate!"
Upon hearing this, Mary erupted like a volcano, "Speak plainly! What is with your insinuations? Everyone acknowledges that I'm Mr. Blackwood's fiancée! If I'm not fit to marry Mr. Blackwood, then who is? Ophelia, don't get too cocky. Isn't your husband just riding on the coattails of his college friendship with Mr. Blackwood to be his partner? A partner, sure, but really you're just working for him!"
Ophelia didn't let the provocation get to her. "You say everyone recognizes you as the fiancée. But has Mr. Blackwood himself ever confirmed it? Remember, Miss Sinclair, silence doesn't necessarily mean consent. Perhaps Mr. Blackwood simply can't be bothered with such gossip. Unless he personally acknowledges you, who's to say what's true?"
"You! I'll call Mr. Blackwood right now! Ophelia, just you wait!"
Mary made a show of reaching for her cell phone.
But Ophelia, with mock concern, suggested, "Are you sure you want Mr. Blackwood to come here? Do you really want him to meet your little side piece?"
With that, Ophelia waved her own phone in the air.
Locked in that phone were some scandalous photos that weren't meant to see the light of day.
Mary was livid, but she hadn't lost her head completely to anger.
Impatience could ruin the grandest schemes.
She moved closer to Ophelia and Juniper, seething with a threat, "You're tough, I'll give you that! But if you dare release those photos, I'll spill about Juniper secretly having a child! If Mr. Blackwood finds out Juniper birthed a kid behind his back to trap him, guess how a man who loathes betrayal would deal with Juniper and that child who never should've been born!"
Juniper's eyes flashed with shock. "You've been investigating me?"
"It was just a little digging, Juniper. Turns out, you've got quite the nerve. But keep this up, and if Mr. Blackwood finds out, he might just strangle you in a fit. It would be best if this secret went to your grave."
Ophelia, now angry, retorted, "Mary, I have plenty on you. Make a move against Juniper and the kid, and I'll make sure you fall from grace hard!"
"We'll see about that!"
With a cold laugh, Mary glared at them once more before storming off from the boutique.
Juniper wasn't worried about Mary broadcasting the secret. Mary wouldn't risk her own shot at becoming Mrs. Blackwood by admitting there was a child between Magnus and another woman.
Her fear was that Mary, now aware of Jennifer's existence, might harm her.
Ophelia consoled her, "Juniper, don't worry. Mary wouldn't dare to mess with you or Jennifer. If she does, I'll make sure she can't set a foot in the industry!"
In the midst of Juniper's bemusement, a call from Thomas came through.
"Miss Beaumont, Mr. Blackwood requests your presence at Royal View tonight."
Juniper paused for a few seconds, "Alright, I got it."
She hung up the phone, her mind a swirl of mixed emotions.
She hadn't seen Magnus for a week and wondered why he was suddenly summoning her to Royal View.
...
First, Juniper went to pick up Jennifer from school and brought her home.
After preparing dinner for Jennifer, she planned to leave.
Before going, she instructed Jennifer, "Don't open the door for anyone, and don't make any noise. After I leave, lock the door and either play on your tablet in your room or go to sleep, okay?"
Jennifer nodded, her little chin tilting up, "Got it, Mom. It's not my first time alone at home! I'll be good!"
Regret filled Juniper's eyes, but she was helpless.
Previously, it was her night shifts that left Jennifer alone at home.
And now, she had to deal with Magnus.
She hugged her tightly, emotion warming her eyes, "Jennifer, once I've saved enough, I'll take you and grandma to a better place. The three of us will never have to part again."
Jennifer exclaimed, "Okay! Go on, Mom, I'll be good, don't worry!"
"If anything comes up, call me."
"Will do!"
...
At seven in the evening, Juniper arrived at Royal View.
But after knocking for a long time, there was no response, nor did anyone come to open the door.
Maybe Magnus hadn't returned yet?
She dialed Joseph, "Joseph, I'm at Royal View, but Mr. Blackwood isn't here."
Joseph glanced at the man still busy entertaining at the table, "Miss Beaumont, please wait a moment. Mr. Blackwood is currently occupied with guests and can't leave just yet."
After hanging up, Joseph approached Magnus and whispered in his ear, "Mr. Blackwood, Miss Beaumont has arrived at Royal View."
Magnus remained stoically silent, continuing to mingle at the gathering with no intention of leaving his post.
Joseph realized that Mr. Blackwood was intentionally making Miss Beaumont wait.
...
At the Royal View, Juniper sat on the villa's front steps, waiting.
The summer nights in the capital were not cold, but the villa's lush greenery was a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Her arms and legs were covered in mosquito bites.
Glancing at her phone, she noted the time: 11:37 PM.
Magnus had not returned.
Juniper stood up, considering leaving, yet not daring to do so. She sat down again, the wait stretching unbearably.
Time passed, and her legs were numb when the bright headlights of a car suddenly illuminated her face, banishing any trace of drowsiness.
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