Chapter 5

For the next few days, Vivian treated me like her worst enemy.

She rallied a few coworkers she was close with and actively frozen me out.

Whenever I walked into the breakroom, they would immediately stop talking.

At lunchtime, they made sure to sit at the table furthest from me.

Even during work collaborations, she maintained a cold, strictly bureaucratic attitude, intentionally delaying my requests.

Rumors started spreading like wildfire.

"Did you hear? Chloe is practically suing Vivian over a spa bill. They aren't even friends anymore."

"Yeah, so petty. I thought Chloe was generous, but I guess she's just a control freak."

"You never really know a person. Vivian was always so nice to her."

I saw everything and heard everything, but I didn't say a word.

When a person is blinded by greed, words are useless.

Only real pain will wake them up.

I kept going to work, hitting the gym, and visiting my MedSpa as usual.

Except this time, I met with Manager Sterling and made a special arrangement.

"Starting today, my VIP account requires a fingerprint and a secondary passcode to authorize any charge," I told him.

"Also, if Vivian comes back, tell her that I have set up a special 'Family Add-On Card' for her. Tell her she can charge everything directly to that card from now on."

The manager looked confused, but he nodded and agreed.

Of course, I wasn't actually giving her a card.

I was giving her a signal—a bait to make her believe I had backed down, so she would become even more reckless.

I had the manager send her a message from the clinic's official Snapchat business account:

"Hi Vivian, Chloe mentioned there was some misunderstanding previously. She has set up a Family Add-On Card for you as an apology. You can charge any future services to this card. Welcome back anytime!"

Sure enough, by Friday evening, my MedSpa app sent me a notification.

A new booking.

Client: Vivian.

Service booked: Grand Royal Couple’s Package (4 hours), priced at $999.

Time: Saturday at 10:00 AM.

Looking at the notification, my lips curled into a cold line.

The audacity of this woman.

She was icing me out at the office, yet she didn't hesitate for a second to book their most expensive package.

I didn't cancel the appointment, nor did I call to confront her.

I simply sent a message back to Manager Sterling:

"Let her and whoever she brings check in tomorrow. Give them the full service. Business as usual."

The manager replied instantly: "Understood, Miss Chloe."

Putting my phone down, I looked out at the city lights. There was no anger left in me, only an icy calm.

Vivian, this was your last chance.

Saturday morning, 9:55 AM.

I sat on the lounge sofa in the MedSpa lobby, pretending to read a magazine, keeping my eyes on the entrance.

Right at 10:00 AM, Vivian walked in, arm-in-arm with her mother, Martha. They were laughing and chatting.

Vivian was dressed up to the nines today, carrying a designer bag, her face glowing with triumph.

The receptionist greeted them warmly. "Hi Vivian, your private suite is ready for you."

Vivian didn't even look at me. She strutted past me like a proud peacock.

Her mother, however, glanced at me and whispered to Vivian, "Isn't that your coworker?"

Vivian sneered, her voice loud enough for me to hear.

"Just ignore her. She's a cheapskate."

"She tried to pick a fight with me over a few bucks last week, but look at her now. She practically begged me to accept this family card."

"Some people just need to be put in their place!"

I turned a page of my magazine, a cold smile playing on my lips.

The show is about to start.