Chapter 2

The moment I realized I'd been blocked, a switch flipped in my brain.

I couldn't stand it for another second. I stomped in my heels straight to the spa on the third floor.

Before I even pushed open the opulent glass door, the piercing sound of laughter spilled out.

"That Sophia, she's something else! Acts like she owns the place just because she got an unlimited black card. She practically lives here!"

"Tell me about it! I've seen plenty of women like her. Probably blew her savings or maxed out all her credit cards just to afford that twenty thousand dollar card, all so she could pretend to be a socialite here!"

"Fk! I'm sick of looking at her face! She has me massaging her all day, my hands are going to fall off!"

That was Kyle's voice, full of undisguised contempt and mockery.

A few of the junior beauticians chimed in with snide remarks:

"Kyle's right. Her skin's as rough as sandpaper; even the most expensive oils are useless on her! She should just stop coming and making a fool of herself!"

"I bet she's just desperate for attention, looking for a strong man like Kyle to pamper her!"

"Hahahaha! Basically, just a cheapskate trying to freeload!"

Their piercing laughter felt like needles pricking my ears.

Rage surged through me, threatening to burst out.

I couldn't hold back anymore. I shoved the front door open violently and stormed inside.

*Bang!*

The laughter inside abruptly stopped. The air instantly dropped to freezing.

Everyone stared at me as if they'd seen a ghost.

"What right do you have to talk behind my back? Apologize to me, now!" I screamed, my eyes fixed on Kyle.

The junior beauticians nervously lowered their heads, looking flustered.

Kyle, however, only froze for a second before rolling his eyes dramatically and sneering.

"Nobody was talking about you. What are you going crazy about?"

"That's a lie! I heard everything clearly from outside the door!"

"No one else heard it, just you?" Kyle crossed his arms, wearing a defiant and arrogant smirk. "Are you crazy from all these treatments, hearing things?"

As soon as he said that, a few junior beauticians couldn't help but snicker, covering their mouths. Kyle puffed out his chest, smug as a general who'd won a battle.

I clenched my fists so tight my nails dug deep into my palms, drawing blood.

"Then why did you block me?" I demanded, grinding my teeth.

Kyle eyed me dismissively, looking me up and down.

"Look, lady! I'm so busy every day, I have to attend to so many real high-rollers worth millions of dollars!"

"You keep sending messages to book appointments, it's endless! I'm not your personal chat companion!"

"Then what was that post you made about? What do you mean 'pathetic cheapskate'?"

"My card is unlimited! What right do you have to complain about how often I come?"

"Didn't you say today was fully booked? Why are you just standing here chatting if you're so busy?"

Kyle sneered, walking up to me and looking down.

"Don't I need a break? Get your facts straight, I'm a senior technician, not your slave!"

"You bought a card and now you think you're hot stuff? Who do you think you are, queen bee?"

As he spoke, his chin was raised high, a disgusting look of superiority on his face. The other beauticians no longer bothered to hide their expressions, all casting looks of disdain and amusement.

My temples throbbed with fury, and even my breath tasted of blood.

I didn't want to waste another second talking to this jerk. I turned and rushed to find Sharon, the owner, to get my refund.