"Ah!" Not only did Leo treat her badly, but a lawyer disrespected her. Yakira lost her temper. She tossed the file on the floor furiously and then stomped on it hard to channel her anger.
Mom, what's the matter? Why are you so angry?" Hearing Yakira's shouting, Mary rushed downstairs, looking worried.
It's nothing. Is Brian upstairs?" Yakira didn't want to tell her daughter about her frustration. Leo had made her lose all confidence. She wanted to retain her last bit of dignity.
No, he might be gone. What's all this about?" Mary asked and bent over to pick up the file. "Nothing. Give it to me." Yakira tried to get the file back, but Mary seemed to have anticipated her move and quickly took a few steps back, just out of Yakira's reach.
"Mom, this is out of line. Dad just mentioned divorce yesterday, and today he has already signed the papers and had someone deliver it? How can he be such a bully?" Mary said angrily after reading the file.
"A woman is better off marrying someone whom she doesn't love than marrying someone who doesn't love her. I'm a perfect example. And about Edward, you'd better think carefully before you do anything. I don't want you to end up like me and regret everything. It will be too late by then," Yakira said. Since Mary had seen the file, it would be pointless to keep it from her. She felt obliged to remind Mary of the importance of choices.
Mom, we're in totally different situations." Although Mary was worried about her parents' divorce, she wanted Edward too much, she wasn't going to give up her plans.
Don't be too confident. Edward isn't easy to manipulate. Think about Jessica. Didn't you see what happened to her? Do you really think you're smarter than her?" Although Yakira was selfish and wanted to use Mary to get what she wanted, she didn't want something bad to happen to her daughter. She had to help her think clearly. Sound advice often sounds harsh.
"Men change. They all abandon the old for the new. Just wait. Edward will get tired of Daisy one day and I won't miss that opportunity." Mary sounded sure of winning, as if Edward would come to her with the slight move of her little finger.
"Don't underestimate her. She's not the same girl we drove out. She's stronger, more confident." Mary had thought that Daisy would be miserable and live among the dregs of society after she left the house. Unexpectedly, she had become a colonel. Now Mary regretted that she hadn't kept Daisy in the house. In that case, by now she would have destroyed her and ruined her life. She wouldn't have become so strong and powerful.
"Humph, no matter how strong she is, I know better than her about how to treat men. So where shall we start? I want this plan to go off without a hitch." Mary was anxious while her mom seemed calm.
"Be patient. Timing is everything. How can you succeed if you are always so impatient?" Yakira furrowed her brows. She didn't believe a foolish girl like Mary would be able to steal Edward's love. Unlike Mary, she was cautious. Although she had some personal business with Edward too, and it was pressing, she would wait until everything was ready, because Edward was too shrewd to take the bait and Daisy was tough.
But how long do we have to wait?" Mary was out of patience. Edward was too enticing to her. She wanted to get closer to him. Now.
A couple more days. Remember, a watched pot never boils. He will still be yours if he is meant to be." Yakira was a little annoyed. Her own matter hadn't been settled yet, she wasn't in the mood to focus on Mary's.
Edward was working on his scheme against Yakira while Yakira and Mary were discussing their conspiracy against him. But who would have the last laugh?
Days went by. The opportunity Yakira and Mary had been waiting for finally came. When they met Edward at the gate of Sexy World, they were both excited. They had been seeking an opportunity to get close to him. Now it presented itself. But they had no idea that Edward had come there on purpose.
Edward, fancy seeing you here. Are you alone?" Mary went up to him immediately, beaming with joy. She attempted to take him by the arm, but Edward moved away.
"Yeah. Daisy went to inspect the troops in a neighboring city this morning. And my friends are all unavailable, so I came here to relax." It was true that Daisy had gone to the neighboring city, but his friends were not unavailable. Edward had gone there alone intentionally, because he was afraid things might backfire if they tagged along.
Mind if we join you?" Mary suggested. Yakira had been depressed these days because of the ongoing divorce, so Mary convinced her to come here and have a drink. She hadn't expected to meet Edward here. In such a big city, they showed up in the same place at the same time. Mary thought it was fate. She and Edward were meant to be together.
Um..." Edward pretended to hesitate, as if he had been put in an awkward situation. In the meantime, he stole a glance at Yakira, as if he was worried that she would disagree.
"Mr. Mu, if it is Okay, let's have a drink together. We are sort of relatives after all. Drinks on me." Yakira was reluctant to accept Daisy as a member of the Ouyang family. In addition, Leo was trying to force her into a divorce, and it was because of Daisy. But with all the despicable things she had done in the past, she had to put her dignity aside and invited Edward to a drink.
"I'm flattered to be a relative of yours. I will have that drink with you, though." Edward put on a cordial face. He secretly thought that if he accepted them as his relatives, Daisy would beat him up. So he wasn't too friendly with them.
"Really? Let's go in then." Mary wasn't as sophisticated as Yakira. When she heard Edward agree, she jumped up excitedly.
"Mrs. Ouyang, please," Edward said with a smile. He behaved politely, which helped him keep a distance from them.
He had chosen his usual box. He was used to its decor and hated to adapt to new things. He was nostalgic.
He gracefully strode over to the sofa and sat down casually, as if Yakira and Mary were not there. However, his behavior didn't seem inappropriate but distinguished. He looked like a lion that had just woken up, sluggish yet domineering.
Mary purposely sat beside Edward, and looked at him in admiration. Yakira was very disappointed in her and doubted she could do anything to attract Edward.
What would you like to drink? My treat," Edward said. Then he frowned at the perfume Mary was wearing. It was too strong. He preferred the jasmine fragrance Daisy usually wore. It was his favorite.
No. We agreed that it was our treat," Yakira said. Sexy World was a fancy place and its customers were all upper-class. However, Yakira felt uncomfortable there. As a senior, clubs didn't suit her. Besides, she was conspiring against Edward, so right now she had a guilty conscience like a thief.
"It's okay. It won't cost much. And you are a senior. I can't let you pay," Edward said calmly. He had been polite the whole night. He used to be very aggressive every time he was around Yakira and Mary.
Mr. Mu, you are too polite. Okay, since you are familiar with this place, I'd like you to order for me. Yakira didn't say that out of courtesy. It was her first time to be in a club. She was clueless.
No problem! What about you, Miss Ouyang? Edward asked. He sounded formal and indifferent. Tonight his target was Yakira, so he didn't want to waste time on Mary. Yet he had to put on a performance, in case Yakira saw through him.
I trust your taste, Edward. Call me Mary. I am not used to you calling me Miss Ouyang. Its sounds weird, Mary said pouting. She didn't like Edward's indifference to her.
It's just a form of address. There's no need to take it seriously, Edward said with a smile. Things had just gotten started, he had to maintain his friendly attitude. Yakira was much smarter than Mary. His whole plan would be finished if Yakira sensed was amiss.