Craved by the Wrong Volkov-Chapter 352: Money talks

Braelyn’s POV

My brows furrowed, and honestly, I didn’t like the look on the newcomer’s face. Genny didn’t notice her at first. Her attention was on the receptionist, then the lady walked closer and said something to the receptionist that made Genny’s face turn ugly.

My frown deepened. I turned to Alora, who was watching the scene with the same level of concentration, and stood up. I held her shoulder and gave her a serious look.

"Stay here, Alora. Let me check things with your mother," I warned her firmly. Although the lobby was pretty safe, I still had to exercise extra caution. Alora nodded in understanding.

I straightened up and walked towards Genny. Once I was close enough, I could hear snippets of their conversation.

"I have the next appointment. As a long-term customer, you have to give me priority," the lady said with self-entitlement that made Genny tremble. She looked at her like the woman had lost her mind.

"What the fuck are you rambling about?" Genny snapped. "I booked this appointment a week ago. You can’t just give it to her."

The lady smirked. "I am a premium member. The likes of you won’t understand that," she retorted, and I could already see the veins throbbing on Genny’s forehead.

The receptionist tried to reach a compromise. "Ma’am, please understand. The lady booked her appointment earlier, and it would be difficult to reschedule because of how tight the holiday period is," she explained. "Please consider picking a new date, and we are willing to offer a discount."

That made her expression turn even uglier. "Do I look like I need your charity?" she hissed at the receptionist. "Either you attend to me, or I am cancelling my membership."

Genny lost it.

Before I could even say a word, she snapped, "What the fuck is your problem?" Her chest was heaving. "You are doing this deliberately because you know how important this dress is to Alora."

The lady gave Genny a confused look, but I could see the malicious glint in her eyes. "You are clearly mistaken. I have a premium membership. How is it my fault that you don’t?"

Genny’s jaw clenched.

Then I finally spoke.

"Then I would like to purchase a premium membership at double the price," I said, and all eyes turned to me.

The receptionist’s eyes widened, and the annoying woman’s gaze hardened. Genny grabbed my hand and shook her head.

"You don’t have to do that. I can handle it," she muttered.

"It’s fine. It doesn’t cost much anyway," I replied, then glanced at the receptionist. "Would that be enough? I’m kind of busy."

The receptionist parted her lips, but before she could answer, a disdainful voice cut in.

"Mrs Volkov," she sneered. "If I were you, I wouldn’t be throwing money around. You have no idea when your lover might go bankrupt."

I stared at her, dumbfounded. She said it to provoke me, but it was ridiculous. Even if Lucien went bankrupt, I would never go broke. Before running, I had laundered all my money, including the Voss inheritance, under my name.

I chuckled. "Your family would be begging for scraps on the street before I ever go broke."

Her face turned ugly.

I didn’t bother with her again. "Arrange everything. I’m sure you don’t want me to spread news about your conduct. A brand that doesn’t respect appointments," I said coldly.

The receptionist looked trapped. "I’m sorry. I will call the designer soon. Sorry for the delay," she said, already reaching for the phone.

The troublemaker was obviously not happy. She slammed her hand on the table. "Are you really going to disregard my premium membership after everything I’ve spent here?"

The receptionist clutched the phone, clearly overwhelmed. I found the whole situation ridiculous. My head was already throbbing.

"Ma’am, I’ve apologised. Premium treatment only applies when there are no prior bookings. I have tried explaining it to you," the receptionist said.

Just as she finished speaking, the door was pushed open. Cold air rushed inside, and a tall figure entered, leaving both Genny and the other lady stunned.

"What is going on here?"

Alora, who had been sitting, rushed over and grabbed the newcomer’s hand. Her face flushed with righteous indignation as she pointed.

"Daddy, this bad aunty is looking for trouble," she declared, and the troublemaker’s face turned ugly.

I stared at Alora, dumbfounded. How had she managed to call Joey?

Joey smiled, then crouched to her level, patting her hair. "Don’t worry, Daddy will handle this," he said, then his cold gaze shifted to the woman.

"Mira, why are you causing trouble?" he asked. "If Alora hadn’t sent a distress signal, were you really going to be this petty?"

The troublemaker, whose name turned out to be Mira, trembled. "How am I causing trouble? I have a premium membership. I deserve privileged service, and besides, I need the dress for the Christmas Eve gala."

Joey smirked. "Not anymore. You are not invited to that gala, and your premium membership no longer exists."

Right on cue, the inner door opened and a woman rushed out.

I recognised her as the head designer of the atelier.

"Mr Alvarez, I apologise for any setbacks. Where is your daughter? I will attend to her immediately," the designer said quickly.

Genny and I both gave Joey questioning looks, but Mira reacted first.

"What did you do, Joey?" she burst out. "I am your fiancée!"

Joey froze for a moment, then gave her an incredulous look. "Fiancée?" he repeated. "Just because we went on a blind date and our families arranged it does not mean I am going to marry you. And even if I were, do you think I would marry someone who cannot even respect my daughter?"

Mira fell silent.

"If you don’t know, the Christmas Eve gala you are so desperate to attend is Alora’s birthday and recognition party. The Alvarez family adores her. And as of ten minutes ago, I own all the stores on this lane and am also a major investor in this atelier."

Mira went pale.

"You can’t just throw money around like that," she blurted.

Joey gave her a bored look. "Why not? I have the money to solve my problems. Isn’t that the reason you want to marry me?"

Her lips parted, then closed. No words came out.

Joey didn’t wait for her to recover. "I heard you’ve been eager to become Alora’s stepmother since the Alvarez family is taking her in. That is not happening. Who knows what you would do to the girl."