Chapter 652

"I can't be bothered with you!" Isabella Langley turned on her heel and walked away.

Returning to her seat, she immediately complained to Vivian Laurent. "That Felix Valdemar is utterly unreasonable. The man's narcissism knows no bounds."

Emily Garnache suppressed a smile. "I actually think you two would make a good match."

"A match?" Isabella's eyes widened dramatically. "Don't be ridiculous! We're like oil and water. Every time we meet, it's nothing but irritation. All he does is flirt with young girls. He was even obsessed with some manipulative woman before she got what she deserved."

Emily gasped, covering her mouth. "That's quite the scandal!"

"He's got plenty more outrageous stories where that came from." Isabella continued her tirade without restraint.

Felix's voice carried across the room. "I can hear you, you know!"

"Good!" Isabella raised her voice. "Maybe you'll finally realize how ridiculous you are!"

Their verbal sparring held an odd synchrony. Vivian, long accustomed to their dynamic, simply shook her head with an amused smile.

A waitress approached with their drinks.

"Your lemonade, ma'am." The server spoke softly.

Vivian looked up, her pupils contracting slightly. "Annika?"

Annika Heilbronn feigned surprise. "Dr. Laurent, what a coincidence."

"You work here?"

"Just a weekend job." Annika smiled shyly. "I didn't expect to see you here."

Emily leaned forward curiously. "Viv, who's this?"

The moment everyone saw Annika's face, they froze—she bore an uncanny resemblance to Vivian.

"One of my former patients." Vivian offered a brief explanation.

Emily suddenly stood. "Wait here a moment!"

She hurried to the dressing room and returned clutching a wad of cash.

"This is for you." Emily pressed the money into Annika's hand. "I didn't bring much today."

Though she called it "not much," the thick stack equaled an average person's monthly salary. Emily acted purely from kindness, seeing someone her age working hard and knowing she was Vivian's patient.

Annika's fingers trembled slightly.

She stared at the cash, a shadow flickering in her eyes. Was this charity for a beggar? First Vivian humiliated her with a meal, now her friend trampled on her dignity with money?

Rage boiled in her chest. She nearly threw the bills back in the girl's face.