Chapter 39
Ever since Camille stormed off, I hadn’t seen her for days. I had no idea if she was deliberately hiding from me or cooking up a devious plot to undermine me, but it no longer mattered now,
I had made it through the bleakest moments. Just a few more days, and I would be able to escape her evil clutches.
I browsed through Sophia’s Instagram. Her birthday was the coming Sunday. Given how much she helped me, I had to prepare a big, thoughtful gift for her.
I had just driven to the biggest business district downtown when my phone suddenly buzzed. I glanced at it and found that it was Camille calling Having no interest in entertaining her, I hung up on her without any hesitation.
She refused to give up and sent me a text instead “Sunday’s my birthday. Max, as a lapdog of the Layton family, you are obliged to show up at the party before 6:00 pm. I expected a grand gift from you as well. Is that clear?”
I snickered and shook my head. Who did Camille think she was?
My contract would end at 7:00 pm this Sunday, and I would be free once again. I could finally close a chapter on the humiliating days when I was forced to do everything she said.
I parked my car and went straight to the jewelry store on the first floor. The moment I walked through the doors, I was met with an assortment of splendid diamond jewelry that gleamed brilliantly underneath the bright light.
I didn’t have too much money. So, I couldn’t buy Sophia a gift that was worth several million dollars. From what I knew of her, she didn’t care about the price tag either. Instead, she valued the thought that was put into a gift.
Just as I was dwelling on my choices, I heard the sharp click of high heels behind me, followed by a shrill voice.
“Max Wexler?”
Camille’s familiar yet repulsive voice made me feel physically ill. That said, I couldn’t be bothered to turn around either. So, I continued to look at the various jewelry items on the glass counter.
“Surprise, surprise. I didn’t think you’d be this efficient. I had just given you a call not too long ago, and yet you immediately made your way to a mall to buy me a gift.” She walked over in her high heels and stopped next to me.
“What gift are you going to buy me? Diamond necklace or earrings?”
She was rambling non–stop, and I thought I had a parrot perched on my shoulder. I did my best to tune her out and not pay attention to her nonsense.
Addressing the sales assistant, I said politely, “H, I would like to see the 18800–dollar diamond necklace.”
The necklace had a uniquely designed letter pendant. At first glance, the letters resembled Sophia’s initials. If I gave it to her as a gift, she would surely be thrilled.
“Understood, sir.” The sales assistant was very polite and didn’t make fun of me just because the necklace I bought was cheap.
The same couldn’t be said for Camille, though. She deliberately tapped the glass counter as she spoke. “Max, you shouldn’t have walked into this store if you didn’t have that kind of money.
“Any diamond below a million dollars is trash and unworthy of someone like me, let alone an 18800–dollar diamond necklace. I wouldn’t have batted an eye if such a piece of crap fell to the
floor!”
“I’m not buying a gift for you,” I said nonchalantly and stopped entertaining her.
“It’s not for me? Who is it for, then?”
“How does that concern you, exactly?”
Camille’s eyebrow furrowed, and she sneered. “Max, drop the act already. Are you trying to give me a surprise?”
I was speechless and decided I was done talking to her.
She snickered. “Oh? Did I get it right? Are you trying to give me a surprise with a diamond necklace that’s just a little over ten thousand dollars?”
I remained quiet and continued to look at the necklace.
“I’m not happy with this necklace. Pick another one right now!”
I gripped the necklace in my hand and looked at it carefully. “As I said, I’m not buying this for you.”
Camille sneered. “Not for me, huh? Fine. I order you to buy me this other million–dollar necklace for me. I want it now!”
I glanced at her, feeling disinterested. I didn’t have that much money, but I would never have bought it for her, even if I did.
“Did you hear what I just said?” Camille shouted again when she noticed that I merely remained quiet.
I ignored her and focused on the necklace. The longer I looked at it, the more I liked it. “Hi, please ring this up for me.”
C
