Chapter 192 - Paid With My Body
After the successful launch last night, Hilda is one of the highlights in the news the following day. It was all over in the social media regarding Vincent's birthday gift in advance.
He gave his mom a personalized emerald and diamond set of jewelry. They praised him as a good and generous son.
With that, the critique also gives their guesses of how much it cost him. One review says that the necklace alone cost a million dollars, and that is in US currency.
Further comments, they studied the necklace. Its chain was made of emeralds and diamonds in a cushion cut linking to one another. And its pendant is a one and a half-inch size emerald in a pear cut with diamonds around it.
Hilda was one of the favorite public figures in all Entertainment news on TV, magazines, and tabloids when she was younger until recent years. And since social media platforms appeared, such as websites, FB pages, Instagram accounts, etc... She again proves that she is the queen of media.
All the information consistently earns high ratings and views on all platforms every time an article releases about Madam Hilda Lopez Shen.
And that morning, after Hilda read all the articles about her, she made a phone call to her son. However, at the moment, Vincent is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
"Hello, mom?" He answered.
If it weren't for his mom, who phoned him at the moment, he would not realize that he didn't tell his parents he was in the country, but then, now he rushes to the US for emergency matters.
It disappears in his mind after he learns that Hailey is Hailee Davies, his boss. After that revelation, his mind was flooded with many thoughts, and then the bombing at the Shang Hotel and Casino added to his concerns.
"Where are you? I can't reach your mobile number. I tried your Instagram, and it looks like it is working."
"Oh. I switched it into a roaming number. What's the matter?"
"Are you going back to Australia now? Your dad didn't know, isn't he?" Hilda's voice is sulking.
"Ah, not yet, mom. There is an emergency I must attend to. I will be somewhere in a few days."
Hilda heaves a sigh. She was happy that her son gives her a beautiful gift, but he completely forgets to contact her once in a while. Now she would learn that he's out of the country. Unlike before, she knew all of his whereabouts.
It all began since he was in a relationship with that girl. She becomes a villain to his love life because she was against the affair. And because she opposes it, Vincent stops communicating with her, and it hurts her that her son is ready to cut his relationship with his mother.
She felt defeated. The reason she tried to drive that girl away. But despite how much she offered, that girl never accepts it nor feels threatened. She never showed interest in money at all.
She offered money to stay away from Vincent, but only this girl was never frightened of her. What happened instead, this girl would tell her son! Of course, she'll grow angry. How dare she tell Vincent that she offered his girlfriend some check to leave the city or the country?
She becomes the terrible mother in Vincent's eyes because of what she'd done. But of course, her son is married! At least if he wants to remarry, it should be someone who could save him the time things went wrong!
She may be the head of the Lopez family for the time being, but she knew that family members would snatch everything if they see Vincent is not fit and easy to destroy.
"Okay, son. Everything is fine here. I'm just trying to reach out to invite you for dinner here in the mansion. I want to thank you in person for giving me such a gift."
"Um..."
"Of course! You can bring her with you." Hilda added before her son could reply to her. She knew Vincent would reject her invitation if she insisted she wanted him alone to come. Her son would choose that girl over her.
On the other line, it surprised Vincent for a moment. If he isn't mistaken and heard it clearly, his mom wants him to bring Hailey along.
He pursed his lips into a smile. "We love to, mom. Hailey and I will come by and visit you guys. Right now, I'm on my way to the US."
"Huh? Is she not with you?"
"No, mom. Hailey was still in the hotel. I left before the morning broke out."
"What's the matter? Is everything okay?" What could be a problem that her son has to go to the US that early?
"Mom, the Shangs have a huge problem, so I'm going to check out."
"Oh, right! The casino was bombed the other day. I heard about it. I thought you were still in Australia, so we didn't bother you about that news. Then, they were asking for your present."
"Yeah. Theo wants me to look at it to see what work needs to be done. He doesn't want to delay the restoration after the investigation. The operation must resume soon. They have a lot of workers that are out of a job at the moment. The hotel earns very well in the passing year."
Hilda hummed from the other line. Her son had invested in the hotel, and he is also a Board Member, so he must take part in it.
"Alright. I understand that you have to rush. But how about your work in Australia?" Hilda asked with curiosity and worry.
Vincent's projects are left and right now, which her son never forgets to give time for his girlfriend. He is undoubtedly in love with this girl. Probably she is also the reason he works too hard. Well, he always does, but something is different lately. There are so many things that are happening.
Hilda fell into thoughts. She came back to her senses after she heard Vincent speak on the other line.
"Mom, are you still there?"
"Ah, yes. I'm sorry. What did you say?"
"I said the senior engineers could take care of the preparation for the groundbreaking, and I think for dad to be there."
"Oh, great! I will tell your dad about it." Hilda exclaimed from the other line.
"Thanks, mom. I'll come back soon, then let us have a nice dinner."
"Okay. Come back home soon, yes. I'll look forward to it."
Vincent fell into a moment of silence. He's happy that his mom is slowly accepting Hailey. That is all he wishes from his parents. To give their blessings because it's only Hailey he wants to spend his life with forever. She is the only wife he wanted to have, who then to mother his children.
"Mom, do you have other things to tell me?" he asked afterward, breaking out the silence between them.
"Oh, well. I also made this call to ask you about something. After last night, everyone is curious about your gift to me. There are several international entertainment news and fashion editors who want to set an interview with me. They brief me ahead that one question will be about the cost of your gift. They wanted to feature the jewelry, so I have to answer how much the jewelry set is."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes. The funny thing is, everyone had guessed already regarding the amount. Now it made me curious as well. Is it true that it is worth two million US dollars?"
Vincent had just realized it. He didn't know how much it cost him. He entrusted Hailey to access his bank account to pay for everything. Still, he didn't receive a notification that he purchases two million US dollars except for the couple rings he ordered.
It didn't cost like the set of jewelry Hailey gave to his mom, but it was also worth so much. However, it does not matter the cost; either Hailey or his mom deserves more.
But now his mom asks about it. Could it be possible that Hailey didn't make any transaction of payment from his bank account? Instead, was it her gift alone?
Oh, and he could not tell his mom about it yet that Hailee is actually the owner of DV Inc. company, so it was a piece of cake if she'll give his mom a set of jewelry.
That's right. He could not tell his mom the truth because Hailee Davies hasn't revealed to the public that he is her fiance. Now it made him curious if what will be his mom's reaction if he'll tell her the truth like this—
'Mom, Hailey didn't charge me any amount because she was the owner of DV Gem.'
Ah, he has another idea!
'Mom, actually, I don't know how much that set of jewelry is because your son paid for it with his body. Hailey is the DV Inc. owner.'
Or,...
'Mom, your son paid for it with his body. How much do you think your son's worth? You know I am not cheap!'
Vincent chuckled at the silly thoughts inside his head, and the last one is terrible. If he actually told his mom with these crazy thoughts he had, either before she passes out, she would smack him on the head for being a naughty son babbling about sensual stuff.
Meanwhile, at the other line, Hilda was wondering why her son suddenly laughs at her query. 'What's funny with my query? Why is he laughing now?'
"Ahem!" Vincent clears his throat. "Well, mom. I will ask Hailey how much she purchased the jewelry set. Honestly, I do not know either. I haven't received a bank statement yet."
It was what Vincent came up with. He could not tell her that, possibly; it was Hailey's gift alone. Of course, no one knew yet that his mistress is the owner of DV Inc., so first, he needs to consult Hailey from now on.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺