chapter 3. Who gave them the guts to bully my people?

"Turns out that she came here for sighting"

"Who told her that this is an amusement park?"

"Avery, you being here is not just okay, you have to grab a gown or two", Stephanie pretended to be generous.

Avery did not need to banter words with her, the brand of her clothes is exclusively made for her, that's how much filial her son can be. Although it looks ordinary, Royal families outside the country clamour to get a piece of each season's collection. She did not need clothes as they are being brought on an almost weekly basis. What are this disgusting woman and her minions up to?

Avery stepped forward as she was about to check out the men's clothing section.

Stephanie panicked and unconsciously blocked her while Avery frowned.

" You can't just leave like that, allow me to give you a gift. It's been a while since we met each other".

She was shameless, she still had the cheek to say that after destroying her home?

"Get me the latest gowns", she felt smug on saying that.

" Stephanie you are too generous, not everyone deserves it".

Her friends complained while the attendants could only feel indignant internally on her behalf.

She had purposefully said that to kill two birds with one stone. To gain sympathy and also to attack Avery.

Her security guards who had kept a distance earlier had come forward to protect her.

"You even go about bullying people?"

"She is too despicable", one of the attendants said, a resounding slap was given to her by one of Avery's guards and she landed on the ground with a thud while yelling like a maniac. They would never stand by and watch the mother of their boss being bullied. Avery was no saint but she wouldn't attack unless she was bullied.

The guards assigned to Avery were from Lucas himself hence they had direct contact with him.

The manager was informed and he sweated a great deal as he was worried about why these attendants were reckless.

" Good afternoon madam", he bowed with a very humble expression.

what was this man doing? Their manager had never given ordinary any regard but his attitude took a 180-degree turn before this woman.

Before they could know what was happening some men in black suits came in. One of them who seemed as the executive director stepped forward and bowed to Avery.

"Am sorry madam, we came late".

" No problem, just take it from here"

The manager felt like shedding buckets of tears...

"What's going on here?", Stephanie asked

The man ignored her and smiled pleasantly at Avery; then directed her to the lounge where she would rest and take a coffee.

These people were fond of creating problems wherever they go and they would not know how they disappeared.

"Our Stephanie is asking you a question", Camilla one of her friends challenged the executive director.

The man straightened up and gave them a casual glance.

"Manager Duff is this how you do your work? Allowing all sorts of people to enter this Mall?"

Stephanie's complexion changed and her eyes shifted to the lounge Avery sat.

"What do you mean by that? This mall is a subsidiary of Clayton's group of industries, so she can be here. Her husband will soon.....

" Hey hey, Camilla, it's ok", honestly she was frustrated already and these bunch of fools still did not know when to retreat. She had casually said earlier on that her husband will soon get a contract with them. She needed to boost her status but who would have known that these two would vomit nonsense.

"What is going on here? Why is that woman given a special seat? I have been here for a long time and am yet to receive any special treatment.

" She is one of the shareholders of this mall".

Stephanie felt a blow land on her face, staggered and a severe headache came on her. Did he mean Avery is one of the top dogs.... like she partly owns this mall and their other branches everywhere in the world? This information was too much for her. Then her friends who took her sides regretted it at once and had guilty expressions while looking at Avery who wore a relaxed expression and was drinking her coffee elegantly while reading an entertainment magazine.

"I want to talk with her", Stephanie pointed at Avery.

" We will have to ask for her permission", that sentence dealt another deathly blow to her and she grabbed the wall for support.

The executive director snorted and knew that this was just a title bestowed on Avery to cover things up. They would tremble if they see the real owner of the mall.

Avery made it known to him that she did not wish to see her for any reason and also to dismiss all those incompetent staffs.

Stephanie and her friends had to save the last bit of their dignity and made their way out of the mall.

Her friends looked at her in a new light and they still prefer the cool Avery to this loud woman. Stephanie saw the subtle disdain in their eyes, she was hopping mad. She couldn't deal with any other issue now. She was defeated mentally and physically.

"What?... oh now that you have seen a big thigh you regret it and wish to cling to it right? Sorry to burst your bubble, but Avery is a proud person and she holds grudges. She is unforgiving so you guys had better make a wise choice".

They were looking down on her? Great! Humans love to curry favour with the rich and powerful. Were they not the ones who mocked and spilt the dirt on Avery? She clicked her tongue and entered her car. The chauffeur drove away leaving them stranded.

They had no choice but to call their chauffeurs for help.

At home, the maids and even the Butler noticed the change in her mood and kept a distance from her.

One of the maids came into her room to deliver a glass of water. She instinctively jumped when the mistress slammed her hands on the dressing table.

" Do I look very scary huh?"

"No madam, she dropped the water on the table and was about to run for her life.

" Halt right there"

The maid had no choice but to be at the mercy of Stephanie.

"So I do look scary to you?"

The maid was speechless and could only shake her head.

"You freaking liar," she took the glass of water and splashed it on her.

"Get your dirty self out of my room", she then smashed the cup on the wall. " Damn you, Avery! I will not allow you to have a good life, never".

The news travelled fast among Stephanie's circle of friends. Those who knew the history of the love triangle couldn't help but admire Avery for being a brilliant and strong woman despite what life threw at her. This was their class group chat in the university, it was bustling with excitement ever since they got wind of the face slapping given to Stephanie.

How could these people change sides abruptly? Is it because she was down now and they felt they could hit her? No way, she would make sure Avery doesn't have it easy either.

She swept everything on her dressing table to the floor and smashed her phone on the wall. She has gone senile indeed. Arnold received news of her near mental breakdown behaviour and he hurried back home to see her in a sorry state.

His heart broke into millions of pieces. He cleaned her injured hand and bandaged it. He then called the kitchen to prepare a soothing and nerve-calming tea for her.

He had always convinced himself that he was with Stephanie to pay for his guilt but at this point, he didn't know what he felt for her anymore.

Lucas's subordinates gave him feedback concerning their assignment. He was more than satisfied with the outcome and continued to deal with a lot of files and folders. He barely had a break for himself. Just then his assistant came in to report the arrival of his mother.

His tensed facial features relaxed as he saw her bright smile. Who gave them the guts to bully his people? Although he is the only woman in his life at the moment, he will not allow anyone to touch a strand of hair on her.

"Here is your lunch Lucas. You are too hard on yourself"

"Mom, these people diss me, they bullied you and I can't watch it any longer. I have to make them eat their words"

"Okay, so......"

"What mom?", they shared peals of laughter from their hearts.

"Eat your food", she pushed the flask towards him and helped to dish out the food for him.

He ate to his heart's content.

Avery looked at him and sighed. He had pushed himself too hard. She had no choice but to leave him when the divorce was finalized and he has not blamed her for once.

"Mom, I don't blame you. What you did only made me stronger. At the age of 20, am already the president of a large conglomerate".

" But the world sees you as a high school student"

"That's their business not mine".

"At the age of 22, you should get married".

"Mom, that's a discussion for another day. Am busy at work mom. I have no time for a love life now".

"Lucas, don't be like that. Every relationship has its problems and its ups. You're afraid that you will be like your dad?"

"Don't mention that failure in my presence"

"I can assure you that you won't be like him. Look at you, you are already the e richest man in the whole world".