Lawrence stood still after Bianca left. He did not like threats, but what troubled him more was the thought of her turning her anger toward Lillian. He picked up his phone.
“Grace, I need Lillian’s location for the day. Now.”
That same evening, Lillian arrived at one of the most expensive hotels in the city. She stepped out of the car calmly, but she was not the only one arriving.
Vanessa walked in with Femi, Mrs. Margaret, and Clara, smiling as if victory already belonged to them.
“We are lucky,” Vanessa said. “Do you know what it means to even be considered by the Oiora family?”
Mrs. Margaret beamed. “I knew you would not fail us.”
Clara added, “First Okoro Group, now the Oiora family. This is real progress.”
Femi looked more controlled than before, but pride still sat on his face. The shame from the contract event had not humbled him enough.
Then Vanessa saw Lillian.
She stopped. Mrs. Margaret followed her gaze and almost hissed.
“This girl again.”
Clara rolled her eyes. “Has she no shame?”
Femi’s jaw tightened.
Vanessa laughed softly. “Of course she followed us.”
Lillian looked at them but said nothing.
Mrs. Margaret stepped forward. “Why are you here? Do you want Femi to change his mind?”
Clara folded her arms. “She is desperate.”
Vanessa tilted her head with a poisonous smile. “You should be somewhere mourning the rich man you lost, not chasing him from place to place.”
“Stop this,” Lillian said calmly. “I did not come here for you.”
They laughed.
Before anyone could speak again, the hotel entrance manager stepped out. He was stiff, sharp-faced, and quick to judge. After hearing only part of the story, he turned against Lillian.
“What is going on here?” he asked.
Vanessa answered first. “This woman has no business here. The hotel is closed to ordinary guests tonight, but she followed us.”
The manager looked at Lillian with instant contempt. “Madam, this hotel is not open to the public tonight. Important people are inside.”
Lillian reached into her bag and brought out her invitation card. “This is mine.”
The manager took it, barely glanced at it, then tore it in half with a dry smile.
Mrs. Margaret gasped, then laughed. Clara covered her mouth in delight. Vanessa shook her head as if watching a fool expose herself.
Lillian looked at the torn card. When she raised her eyes, her voice was quiet.
“You have just destroyed something far above your level.”
The manager laughed. “Who do you think you are?”
The others laughed too.
Vanessa said, “Please stop acting. It does not fit you.”
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