Megara ignored Lacey's ranting, her focus already shifting. She walked to the living room and sat on the couch, waiting. Millicent and Lacey quickly joined her, eager to hear what Megara would say—and hoping she'd trip up.
Lucas returned, a document clutched in his hand. He sat down, allowing Megara to carefully examine it. "What do you think?" he asked, his voice full of anticipation.
Megara's focus was laser-sharp as she flipped through the pages. She paused, pointing to a specific line. "Here it is," she said. Lucas leaned in to see. "These shares aren't stable. They fluctuate, but never at a price higher than their last."
Lucas was stunned. "How do you know all this just from looking at it?" he asked, awestruck.
"I know a lot about finance. It's one of my areas of expertise," Megara replied, still engrossed in the paperwork. "If you don't believe me, check the last season's market price for the Feng Shui stock. You'll find the price keeps dropping. This 'good' price is a trap to lure buyers. Once you purchase it, the money is moved to a dummy account."
Lucas took the document back, observing it as if he'd been struck by lightning. "So you're saying it's a scam?"
Megara simply nodded, leaving both Millicent and Lacey speechless.
"The main goal is to sell off problematic stock and acquire more from other, higher-quality companies," she explained. "If you try to sell this stock, you'd sell it for a lot less than you bought it for. Imagine selling a twenty-million-pounds stock for only five hundred thousand—that's a huge loss."
She added, "You also can't complain or sue them because all evidence would be destroyed, and no one would be left to take the blame." Lacey's face twisted in anger, but she had nothing to say.
Lacey snatched the document. "Dad, is what she said really true?" Lucas nodded, fumbling for his phone.
He dialed a number and stepped into his study, leaving the three women watching his retreating back.
Megara flashed a sarcastic smile at her cousin. "Lacey, you shouldn't jump to conclusions so soon. It's humiliating when you lose." She stood up, preparing to go to her room, but the doorbell rang, stopping her. She ignored it and headed upstairs, but as soon as Priscilla opened the door, Hugo walked in, holding a bouquet of lilies.
Millicent and Lacey were surprised, but not as surprised as Megara, who had come back downstairs to get her forgotten phone.
Hugo bowed respectfully to Millicent and waved at Lacey before his eyes locked with Megara's. "Hello, bestie, good to see you! It's been a long while, so I came over," he said, a huge smile on his face.
Megara was taken by surprise. She looked awkwardly at the flowers and then back at Hugo. "Uh... good morning. A phone call would have been a good idea," she whispered as she walked closer to him. "My uncle is home, and he's not going to be happy to see my friends here. I'm also grounded from going out and receiving guests."
Hugo's smile faded. He had hoped for a hug, but it seemed like she was terrified of his presence. "I called you, but I didn't get a response," he explained.
Megara looked at her phone and gasped. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry, my phone was on silent." Hugo gently patted her hair.
Lacey marched forward, her hands on her waist and her face a mask of anger. "What are you doing here?" she demanded.
"Yeah, what are you doing here?" Megara asked awkwardly.
Flashback: Two Days Ago
Hugo was in a meeting with representatives from a Parisian fashion company—Mr. Pierre and Mr. Jacques. He watched as they praised his fashion talent to his father, Mr. Arnold. He almost threw up but managed to hold it in.
His eyes were glued to his phone, which was hidden beneath the table. He was so distracted he didn't realize he had been asked a question. His father pressed his hand against Hugo's thigh, the pain so sharp he had to hold in a scream. He snapped back to reality, staring at the two Frenchmen. "What were you saying?" he asked sarcastically. His father mentally face-palmed.
"My son has been doing photoshoots all morning, so he gets a little unfocused if he's not well-rested," Mr. Arnold said, forcing an awkward smile. He narrowed his gaze at Hugo, who just rolled his eyes.
Mr. Pierre cleared his throat. "We were saying that there is a promotion being held by the company, and we would like to propose that you participate in it," he said in a voice Hugo found to be unnecessarily loud, his thick French accent prominent. "The pay is excellent and would boost your status, but it is only for a year and would require you to stay in Paris."
Hugo almost laughed but suppressed the urge. "The pay doesn't matter, and my status is fine as it is, but I will not be staying in Paris," he said, shocking both his father and the men. "A year is too long for me."
Mr. Jacques clicked his tongue in surprise. "Calm down, Mr. Arnold. We are not expecting a reply immediately. You have three months until the launch, which is a lot of time to consider your decision." Hugo's jaw ticked, but he didn't respond. He stood up.
"I think we'll call it a day, sir. It was nice having dinner with you, but I'll be taking my leave now," he said, walking away.
Mr. Arnold was so furious at his son's behavior that he slammed his fork down on the table, startling both men and a waiter who was holding a bottle of champagne. He looked around, forced out an awkward smile, and shook their hands. "I apologize for my son's behavior. As I said, he is hotheaded when he is tired, but don't worry, he will be working with you."
"We are happily looking forward to the cooperation with your family," Mr. Pierre said, shaking his hand calmly.
Mr. Arnold pulled his hand away and nodded. "If you'll excuse me, enjoy your meal. I have some business to attend to." He handed his black card to the waiter, who swiped it on a POS machine and handed it back. "The bill has been taken care of. I'm leaving now."
"Have a safe trip," Mr. Pierre said, but Mr. Arnold didn't pay him any attention. He walked out, his steps radiating his fury toward his son.
Meanwhile, Hugo had escaped the building without Sanchez's knowledge. He knew his father wouldn't hesitate to chew out Sanchez with his words before coming after him. He flagged down a taxi and got in, telling the driver to take him to Empire Hotel.
The driver nods and takes off but suddenly Hugo's phone rang he hurriedly fumbled with his breast pocket with an aim to bring the phone out hoping it was Megara but his hopes got crushed when he sees Jane's name on the phone screen.
"Hello Jane! How are you? He asked a hint of sadness in his voice. "Why are you calling this late?
"I apologise for the late call but it's about Megara. She replied .
"What do you mean about Megara? He asked curious to hear every single detail.
"I believe things are Going to escalate between Megara and Uriel and we need to stop that. She replied and Hugo jaw muscle twitched.
Hugo pinched his nose before relaxing in the car seat. "Look Jane I do know about the nature of their relationship and with his bizarre attitude Megara would rather have nothing to do with him. He said but Jane lets out a mocking laugh.
"You really don't have an inkling do you? Did Megara tell you she had lunch with Uriel and he gave her what you haven't even set your hands on. She said and Hugo is taken aback.
Hugo heaved in a sigh. "Look Jane I trust Megara and this conversation is cancelled. He said coldly. "You're supposed to be her friend.
Jane laughed maniacally. "Hugo you and I both know you like Megara and it's a common knowledge to everyone with eyes but if Uriel keep getting in the way it won't be possible to get you two together. Jane explained. "Look I need your help just as you need mine.
"This isn't a thing that should be discussed on the phone let's meet. She added.
Hugo jaw muscles twitched underneath his skin. His heart palpitating threatening to escape his rib cage. "Where do we meet? He asked his voice thick and angry.
"We meet at Gordon Ramsay restaurant and don't be late. She said ending the call.
Hugo cursed inwardly slamming his fist hard on the seat startling the driver. "Excuse me drive to Gordon Ramsey restaurant I'll pay double the price.
The driver nods and swerved on the road changing course and heading for Gordon Ramsey restaurant.
AN HOUR LATER ,GORDON RAMSEY RESTAURANT.
The Gordon Ramsay restaurant was a low hum of quiet conversation as Hugo walked in. He was a beacon in his all-white outfit and black designer sunglasses, having changed after a stop at the mall. He scanned the room for Jane, who waved at him. He hurried over to her table, his head down.
"Hugo!" Jane called out, a wide smile on her face.
He shushed her immediately. "I'm a fugitive, and I'm undercover," he whispered. "My father and my manager probably have fifty bodyguards searching the entire city for me."
Jane laughed mockingly. "You're not doing a good job of hiding, then," she said, her eyes trailing over his fashionably conspicuous outfit. "You're dressed quite impeccably handsome for someone undercover."
"Shut up, you're not helping," Hugo retorted playfully. "Let's just get to business as fast as possible."
Jane chuckled softly. "Getting impatient are we?
"I have a beauty rest to catch on with but due to your call I suspended it so don't come here and try to give me the crab talk about patience. Hugo warned his voice laced with anger.
Jane hummed nodding her head. "Okay. I can help you and Megara get together but first you need to find a way to get Uriel and I together
Hugo stiffled a laughter and Jane's face scowled a signal she didn't like his attitude. "You and Uriel? Besides how do you even intend on getting megara and I together? He asked but Jane rolls her eyes at him.
Jane smirks . "I know Uriel's type of girls and I believe if I look for the right moment and plan I can be with Uriel.
Hugo laughed. "That's impossible. Uriel hates desperate girls who would do anything to be with him."
Jane's face fell, taking his words as an insult. She insisted. "I can make Uriel like me but first I need to get her out of the picture and you need to make sure she falls in love with you immediately.
"Just give up and forget Uriel," Hugo urged. "Aliyah is his only true love."
Jane snickered. "Aliyah is dead, and she's not coming back. If you don't want to help, I can take my knowledge to Uriel. He'd have a better use for it."
"You'd risk losing Uriel to Megara if I don't cooperate with you," Hugo taunted.
Jane's eyes glinted. "I'm taking a gamble. I'm going to stir up trouble for Megara. Uriel won't even give her a second glance, and when that happens, her reputation will be ruined."
Just then, a waiter approached to take their order. Jane requested an Italian dish, and Hugo asked for a Chinese hotpot. The waiter nodded and left.
"You're paying, by the way," Hugo said. "I can't be seen making any transactions. My father might be alerted."
Jane smiled. "Don't worry. I already paid for it before you even got here."
She leaned in, her voice low and threatening. "Cooperate, or when I move forward with my plan, Megara won't have a place at Royal Von High. She might even go back to the slums she came from, or worse, have to travel out of the country."
"Don't you dare lay a hand on Megara," Hugo warned. "Or I'll fight you."
Jane scoffed. "If you can't go against someone as powerful as your own father, how do you think you can go against me?"
Hugo was speechless. "Don't get cocky. I'm not someone to push around," he said.
"Save that speech for your father," she countered. "You're not strong enough to negotiate with me. I'll get what I want one way or another, just to be close to Uriel."
With a sigh, Hugo conceded. "I agree, but you shouldn't interfere with the way I do my work, or the deal is off."
Jane's eyes glittered with mischief. "Deal."
Hugo swore to himself that he would make Jane and his father pay for this humiliation a hundredfold. But first, he had to make sure Megara was his.
FLASHBACK ENDS.
Hugo stood with his arms folded, ready to deliver a smooth lie. His plan was quickly interrupted when Lucas came downstairs, looking ecstatic. Hugo greeted him with an extended hand, but Lucas pulled him into a hug instead. "Hello there, Hugo. No need to be formal, you can just call me Lucas," he said, pulling away. "Why are you here?"
Hugo nervously scratched the back of his head. "I came to see my bestie here, but she wasn't answering her calls," he said. "I'm sorry for showing up uninvited."
Lucas reached for his hand and pulled him toward the living room, much to the shock of Megara, Millicent, and an visibly angry Lacey. "Don't worry. Megara is my beloved niece, and a friend of hers is a friend of mine. You're welcome to visit anytime," Lucas said with a smile. Hugo laughed cheerfully, following him into the living room.
Megara watched her uncle and Hugo talk about sports, bored. Millicent was out, leaving her alone with the annoying Lacey. Megara hadn't been happy about Hugo's visit, but when he convinced her uncle to lift her ban, her mood immediately improved.
Hugo walked over, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Lucas, we're going to the library to study for our exams," he said, turning her to face her uncle. Megara looked at him awkwardly; she had no plans.
"Yeah," she said, forcing a smile. "Jane and Laura are meeting us there."
"Just be back before curfew," her uncle said before heading upstairs. "And take Lacey with you. Make sure she studies."
Lacey groaned, her heels clicking as she stormed toward them. "Do you have to ruin my day?" she asked, her voice tight with anger.
"I can't do anything about it," Megara said, her voice flat. "Your father wants you to go. If you don't, expect another house arrest. Just don't disturb me."
"You guys are unbelievable, especially you, fashion disaster," Lacey snapped, pointing at Hugo. "Wait here, I'm changing."
Hugo was shocked, checking himself. "There's nothing wrong—how dare you call me a fashion disaster, you two-faced loudmouth!" he called out to her, but Megara tightly covered his mouth with her hand.
Megara, still holding a flower, looked at Hugo suspiciously. He raised his hands in surrender. "Thanks for the save," she said. "I'll be right back. Did you call the others?"
Hugo ran a hand through his hair. "Uh, Laura's with her parents, and Jane has a stomach upset. They can't make it."
Megara's suspicion grew, but she let it go. "Don't go anywhere," she said, heading upstairs.
After a few minutes, Megara came downstairs in a grey polo shirt, khaki shorts, and Balenciaga sneakers. Hugo was elated and held out his hand, trying to twirl her, but she frowned and he pulled his hand away.
"I'm not a damsel in distress, Hugo, no need to twirl me around," she said, and he chuckled nervously. "Maybe you should sign up with a dating app and find a good girlfriend. I even know an old classmate I can sign you up with."
Hugo's smile faded, and a muscle in his jaw ticked, shocking Megara. "I don't want any of those female-like girls. I want tough ones—someone who makes my heart flutter all the time but isn't easy to sway or control," he said in a low voice, locking eyes with Megara.
But to his ultimate shock, she patted him on the back. "Hahahaha, you didn't say you were into tomboys! But that's not a problem. Tobi's younger sister, Anne, is a total fit for your description," she replied, and Hugo smiled awkwardly. "Look, I'll fix you up with her in no time, and soon you won't be lonely again. But for now, focus on your first-term exam; it's crucial."
Hugo moved closer to Megara, closing the distance. "Okay, I'll listen to your advice," he said, but then he heard footsteps behind Megara, turning his head in that direction.
Lacey saw the two and quickly misunderstood. "What are you two doing in my living room? Don't tell me you were planning on kissing?" she asked, giving Hugo the stink eye.
Megara turned, stepping away from him. "You're misunderstanding things a little too much, aren't you?"
Lacey rolled her eyes before stalking out of the house. "Aren't you coming?" she turned to them, her voice a little harsh. "If you aren't coming, I'll just come back and lie down."
Hugo scoffed, walking towards her. "Be my guest," he said theatrically, ushering her inside the house. "Guess you'll miss your chance of seeing that boyfriend of yours."
Megara almost laughed at their childish banter. She walked toward them, pushing Hugo out the door and then Lacey, who staggered on her heels for a moment. "If you're going to quarrel over trivial issues, then spare me the trouble," she said, walking between them.
Lacey stuck out her tongue at Hugo, and he did the same before opening his car.