Chapter 32
What is this? Is he playing twenty questions with me?
This isn’t some ridiculous back-and-forth like, “How old are you?” – “How old do you think I am?”
I’m the owner of this salon, and I’m already so busy that even ten bodies wouldn’t be enough!
I shot the man an unimpressed look and tried to walk past him.
But once again, his broad chest blocked my way.
What the hell is he doing? Should I report him for obstruction?
“I never thought you’d be interested in a place like this. How did you even manage to get an invitation?”
At that moment, a familiar face flashed in my mind.
That smug, punchable voice.
That condescending gaze.
Those lips, always dripping with arrogance, making me want to slap them every time I saw them.
“Mathieu…?”
“Took you long enough to recognize me.”
What was Mathieu doing here? I never sent him an invitation.
More importantly, how did he get a VIP card?
I need to make sure to include a warning—VIP cards are strictly non-transferable.
“I see you’re enjoying yourself now that you’ve broken off the engagement. Visiting places like this.”
This idiot didn’t realize I was the owner of this salon.
That meant he also didn’t know that the property I received as compensation for our broken engagement was this very building.
Well, that worked in my favor.
I glanced at Mathieu, who was still blocking my way, and responded indifferently.
“We’re no longer engaged. Let’s stay out of each other’s business.”
I tried to walk past him again, but his voice stopped me.
“It doesn’t suit you.”
I tilted my head slightly and gave him a sharp look.
“This kind of place doesn’t suit you.”
The lights were dim. Should I just punch him in the mouth?
“And why do you care whether I fit in or not?”
At my pointed remark, Mathieu pressed his lips together. Then, he let out a self-deprecating chuckle.
“You’re right… I shouldn’t care.”
Good. Now, move aside already!
I was just about to push past him when he spoke again.
“But as a friend, I can at least say something, can’t I?”
Wait, what? Friend?
“…Friend?”
I asked, utterly dumbfounded.
Mathieu replied bluntly.
“You said so yourself. That we could remain friends.”
Oh. He was talking about the night of the engagement-breaking banquet.
That was just to piss you off, you idiot!
As I stood there in shock, Mathieu cleared his throat and continued.
“We’ve known each other for ten years. As a friend, I’m just giving you some advice. This place doesn’t suit you.”
“And what kind of place is ‘this place’?”
Unlike formal high-society banquets where men and women kept their distance and followed strict etiquette, social clubs like this one encouraged casual interactions and close contact.
That was the whole point.
I knew exactly what he was implying, but I crossed my arms, pretending to be curious.
“You’re too naive to understand, but men here don’t behave as properly as they do at banquets.”
Did he really think I didn’t know that?
The way he was explaining it to me was hilarious.
Imagine explaining what a salon is—to the owner of the salon.
Truthfully, I was planning to create a place even wilder than this.
“Aren’t you one of those men who came here looking for fun? Oh, wait, my mistake—you don’t care about things like ‘proper behavior’ no matter where you are. I almost forgot.”
Mathieu’s jaw tightened at my words.
“Well then, enjoy your night however you like. No need to hold back.”
And spend lots of money while you’re at it.
Without sparing him another glance, I turned and walked away.
Judging by his silence, I must have bruised his pride.
I was on my way back to my seat after giving the manager instructions about the lighting when I heard a commotion.
The noise was coming from the first floor.
Something had broken—maybe glass?
Feeling uneasy, I hurried downstairs.
Meanwhile, on the First Floor…
“Tsk. VIP card? What’s the big deal? Blocking my way like this… Ugh, whatever!”
A drunken man scowled as he looked around.
The salon had been famous even before its grand opening, and now the first floor was packed with nobles.
Rumors that the crown prince might visit had drawn a large crowd of women as well.
Frustrated that he couldn’t enter the VIP area, the drunk man started bothering nearby women instead.
“Hey there, lady. You look lonely. How about a drink with me?”
I had been careful about who received invitations, but somehow, people like him always managed to slip in.
The woman he approached looked visibly uncomfortable.
“Sorry, but I’m not interested. Please step aside.”
“Why are you acting so high and mighty? You’re not even a VIP either. Come on, just one drink.”
As the drunk man kept insisting, the women’s expressions hardened.
When she refused to engage, he suddenly grabbed her wrist.
“What’s the big deal? Huh? I’m offering to buy you a drink!”
At that moment, a fan landed lightly on top of his hand.
The man blinked in confusion and looked up.
A silver-haired woman wearing a golden mask was staring down at him.
She was the most eye-catching woman in the entire salon.
She was so popular that no one had dared approach her.
And now, she was standing right in front of him.
The drunk man smirked.
“Oh? Will you have a drink with me, then?”
The entire room fell silent as the golden-masked woman confronted the drunkard.
Lilianne, the golden-masked woman, looked down at the man as if he were a filthy insect. Slowly, she parted her lips and spoke.
“I think you’ve mistaken this place for a cheap bar. This is not that kind of establishment, so please leave.”
Her cold words made the man’s face twist in anger.
“Who do you think you are, telling me to leave? Huh? Do you even know who I am?”
“Oh? I’d love to know. If you’re so confident, why don’t you take off your mask and show us?”
At Lilianne’s fearless response, the man clamped his mouth shut.
It seemed even he understood that his actions were disgraceful to his noble family.
Nearby, Sabrina had been watching the situation closely.
Two security guards who had been guarding the VIP entrance approached, but Sabrina signaled them to stop.
No matter the situation, using brute force against a nobleman on the grand opening night could create a bad image for the establishment.
Besides, she trusted that Lilianne would handle the situation well.
“Ladies, the air here is rather unpleasant. Why don’t you come with me to a more comfortable spot?”
“Oh… Thank you very much.”
The women’s eyes sparkled with gratitude at Lilianne’s graceful invitation.
But at that moment, the drunken man, furious at being treated like worthless trash, abruptly stood up.
Lilianne quickly stepped in front of the startled women.
But blinded by alcohol and anger, the man grabbed her wrist.
“You think you’re someone important just because you’re wearing a mask? Women like you who talk big usually have ugly faces underneath!”
Saying that, he reached out, trying to yank off her mask.
That was the final straw.
Sabrina, unable to hold back any longer, swiftly moved forward and grabbed his wrist.
“And who the hell are y—”
THUD!
The man didn’t even get to finish his sentence before he was slammed to the ground.
Sabrina had twisted his arm behind his back and pinned him down effortlessly.
With his wrist bent at an awkward angle and Sabrina’s knee pressing down on him, the man screamed in pain.
“AAAH!! AAHH!! You crazy woman! You’re attacking an innocent man!”
Sabrina looked down at him with a bored expression.
“You should stay still. If you struggle too much, your shoulder might pop out of its socket.”
Her chilling warning made the man freeze instantly.
-ˋˏ ༻❁✿❀༺ ˎˊ-
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Freya• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
If you want to support the translation and the translator, you can buy a coffee~
-ˋˏ ༻❁✿❀༺ ˎˊ-
