Chapter 50

He messaged back: [After my car got fixed, the rain was too heavy, so I turned back. Not coming tonight!] Esme was fuming! She had waited all night, from eight in the evening until half-past twelve, and he just bailed like it was nothing. Was he playing with her?! She was Esme! The eldest daughter of the Russell family! She was the one who stood others up, not the other way around! Esme was livid. She grabbed her phone, ready to tear into him. Then, another message popped up.

Glory M: [Really sorry, let’s reschedule for tomorrow during the day!] Esme squinted. He wanted to set up another meeting?

L (Esme): [You better not flake on me like today. I’m seriously pissed!]

Glory M: [No way. I’m really sorry about today! Tomorrow, I’ll bring that rare ginseng to our meeting! But if you’re too mad to see me, then forget it. I won’t waste your time!]

Esme frowned. He’d bring the rare ginseng straight to her? Seeing this message, she couldn’t care less about today. She was dying to get that rare ginseng!

L (Esme): [Alright! Tomorrow at noon, same place!]

She’d give him one more chance. If he bailed again, she’d send someone to find him in Lisbon, chop him up, and feed him to the sharks! If he dared to mess with her, he was dead!

Esme got up and walked out. As she stepped out of the private room, Elizabeth also came out. Elizabeth had a lollipop in her mouth, asking, “Ms. Russell, what a coincidence. You’re done?” She glanced toward Esme’s side. Esme immediately moved to block her view. Elizabeth squinted, noticing Esme’s face was ashen, clearly indicating she was angry. But in front of Elizabeth, she couldn’t show her anger. She smoothed her hair and raised her eyebrows, replying, “Yeah, I’m done!”

“Did you meet Glory M?” Elizabeth asked, grinning like she was dying to see the big shot herself. Esme shoved Elizabeth away, blocking her from the private room. If Elizabeth found out she hadn’t met Glory M and had waited alone for almost five hours, she’d never hear the end of it! No way was she giving her that satisfaction.

“Of course, I met him! Don’t bother looking, Glory M’s already gone,” Esme said, puffing up.

Elizabeth pouted, looking bummed. “What a shame.”

“Glory M isn’t someone just anyone can meet!” Esme strutted out. Elizabeth tagged along, eyes full of curiosity. “Ms. Russell, is Glory M really a guy?”

Esme froze. How would she know if Glory M was a guy or a girl? She’d heard he was a guy!

“Yeah,” she blurted out.

Elizabeth stifled a laugh. “Really? I heard Glory M was a woman. Rumors, huh?”

Esme shot her a look. Wasn’t Elizabeth usually the quiet type? What was up with her today? Her chatter was driving Esme nuts!

“I’m outta here!” Esme stormed off.

Elizabeth couldn’t help but giggle. “Ms. Russell, why do I get the feeling you’re upset? Didn’t meet Glory M and just faking it, huh?”

Esme spun around and snapped, “Elizabeth, you’re just jealous! Better think of a decent gift for Lily so you don’t look cheap!” With that, she stormed off without a backward glance. Elizabeth stood there, chuckling. She glanced at her phone, a smirk playing on her lips. Tomorrow at noon, she’d definitely pay Esme a visit.