METRO PALACE HOTEL

  At the grand dining hall of this hotel, Hailey made her entrance at the door, and her stiletto creates a soft click sound to the onyx tile, which everyone could not help turn their heads to look in her direction.

  She is on her way to her table to dining with Gigi. She is wearing a formal fitted dress, which she pony-tailed her long hair, now emphasizing her beautiful long neck. Thanks to the miracle of concealers, she able to hide Vince's bites. And the usual, she doesn't wear much makeup but putting light one tonight.

  Being the famous mistress of the city, she got used to the strange look throwing at her. She was constantly scrutinized from her head down to her shoes and judge if she dresses up poorly.

  But after the launch's success last night, it has now known that she will be the DV Inc. branch office director. Starting today, they recognized her as an executive in one of the leading jeweler companies in the world.

  That is why she needs to put a little effort into wearing more jewelry tonight. But not to gain much attention after her announcement on Instagram, she has to hide the engagement rings underneath her clothes.

  Though of her new status, some people still question her capability because, for them, she is simply a paid woman.

  "I am certain that President Shen invested enormous amounts in DV Inc. to appoint his girlfriend as the branch director."

  "That's for sure! Who is she, by the way?"

  A gossip began rising on that side of the restaurant. They forget that Gigi Chan was nearby, and she could hear everything that they've talked about.

  They had only realized it when Hailey arrived at the table. Gigi was already waiting for her arrival, and her other knights were there as well.

  Pitt, Tom, and Keith were at the nearby table. Bruce, who was standing on the corner to watch Hailey from possible attacks, the men called him to join them. They pour wine on an empty glass and offer it to the guy.

  "I should not drink tonight, Seniors," he tried to refuse.

  "Who are you calling a senior? Do you think we are very old already because we're in our late 30s, huh?" Pitt joke on him.

  "I didn't mean that! You were a friend of the princess when she's younger, so…" Bruce gulped; he's stammering while explaining himself to Pitt.

  Honestly, he was still nervous about being around them. Of course, he looked up to them not only as of the princess's first knights, but they were her childhood friends.

  "You need not be so polite to us. We are older than you by a few years, but we are all equal as the princess knights." Tom chimed in, patting Bruce on the shoulder.

  Bruce breathed. He's glad that Tom and Keith are calmer than Pitt. Otherwise, he would choose to stay away from him.

  "Anyway, we haven't officially welcomed you to our Guild," said Keith, pouring Bruce's glass with another wine. "Don't worry. We only ordered a low alcohol wine. We are just unwinding while watching the princess and Gigi from the Huo cousins."

  "Okay. Thanks!" At this moment, he's already relaxed being around them.

  Tom raised his glass and declared, "I decree that Bruce is officially the Metro City Knight from this day onwards!"

  "Cheers!" Four glasses clinking, the four men emptied their glasses.

  *

  When Hailey sat down in her chair, Gigi threw a sharp glare at the two nearby tables.

  "Miss Hillson, I heard some rumors that there are people who question your credentials and presume that you are not qualified as branch director. Do you think I made a mistake in appointing you for that position?"

  "Oh. So, my Economics and Business diploma from Oxford University is not enough? Should I take more courses?"

  "Silly! You graduated as Cum Laude, and you got your master's degree. In fact, you are overqualified. You should work in the main branch instead!"

  "The reason I am only an acting director, right? Oh, my gosh! I didn't tell Vincent about it yet!" Hailey covered her mouth upon realizing it.

  "Then tell him it's just temporary." Gigi winked. It satisfied her with Hailey's answers and reactions.

  "Ah, yeah. I should explain to him about my part-time job. I have a few classes to complete this semester."

  "Dang! You've already taken five courses! How many degrees are you planning to complete?" Gigi commented. She assures that her voice is loud to be heard by other guests dining at the neighboring table.

  She was still upset. These women love to gossip about other lives, even though they don't know that person's true identity.

  Hailey, on the other hand, only shrugs her right shoulder. She was drinking some water to answer that question.

  But Gigi had another plan. She called a waiter. "Can I talk to your manager?"

  Although the waiter suddenly felt nervous staring at Gigi's solemn facial expression, he still smiled and replied politely. "I'll call him right away, ma'am!"

  The waiter rushed toward the manager, and it took just three minutes; the manager approached their table in a flash.

  "Good evening, Miss Chan and Miss Hillson. What can I do for you?" The restaurant manager politely greeted them.

  Manager Lee was sweating to find out that President Shen's girlfriend is Gigi Chan's company tonight. He is particularly nervous about her as a guest in this hotel. Of course, by all means, they have to satisfy her with their service. They must provide any request she asks them, and that includes serving well whoever she's with.

  "Manager Lee, good evening. I have an important request to ask you." Gigi began with a smile on her face, but her tone is stern.

  "Yes, Miss Chan! Whatever it is, I will do everything I can." Manager Lee assures. Although he grows wary about this request. He must please these very important guests among everyone else.

  "I want to rent these three tables near us. Also, I will pay for everything that they've ordered tonight. So, I want to clear out these tables ASAP."

  "I…" Manager Lee was dumbfounded upon hearing such a request. He would be in trouble if he didn't handle this matter properly.

  The people who dined in this restaurant were all VIP members. He could not just drive them away to leave the restaurant.

  On the other hand, Hailey was stunned by what Gigi had asked. She stared at her with unbelievable facial expressions written on her face. She was never accustomed to using her power and influence publicly.

  "Why would you do that?" she asked Gigi. Hailey looked at the manager and said, "It's alright. That is unnecessary, Manager Lee."

  The manager is about to sigh with relief, but Gigi refutes. "Do you want me to contact Vincent and report to him that his soon-to-be-wife was insulted? Or I will sue these people for slander?"

  What Gigi had said got the Knights' attention. It was Bruce who rushed to their table and queried.

  "What happens, Miss Hailey?"

  "Good thing that you are here, Bruce. Why don't you call your boss and tell him that people are spreading false news? I am sure that Vincent would not be happy once he read a news article." Gigi could not stay quiet, and she has no plan now to remain silent watching Hailey slander by these people. She then went on,

  "PRESIDENT VINCENT SHEN'S GIRLFRIEND WAS APPOINTED AS BRANCH DIRECTOR BECAUSE HE INVESTED A HANDSOME AMOUNT IN THE COMPANY!"

  "What humor, Miss Chan. So what if Miss Hillson stands as director of the branch office? I am certain that Miss Hillson was capable of managing the office as President Shen trusts his girl—, I mean his soon-to-be-wife."

  "President Shen has no investment in our company! I hate when people make assumptions about other people's lives! So I want these tables to be clean!"

  "Enough! You don't need to make a scene with a minor matter."

  "It's not a minor matter, Hail! It was our company! You also owned this company! How dare these people to gossip about you with baseless proof!"

  Hailey widened her eyes. She gives Gigi warning stares to stop before she declares to the world that she is Hailee Davies. Her true identity should remain a secret even if people learned that Hailey Hillson is a rich woman.

  "Why don't you announce you invested One Billion US Dollars to Metro City Group of Companies to save this mall and hotel from sinking?"

  Everyone was shocked. They were thinking how bad the Metro City Garden's standing was at the moment? But President Shen's girlfriend is this wealthy?

  "Is that true?"

  "Are they going bankrupt soon?"

  "That won't happen, but they have been doing a lot of renovation lately." Questions are now arising in the restaurant.

  "That's right! Miss Hillson is indeed invested in MCGC through Cole Holdings, and she is my business partner. We recently invested a billion US dollars, and with this investment, all the projects they've started have now proceeded, including the expansion of Metro City Garden and this hotel," Keith attests.

  With his statement, everyone would believe him as Congressman Vasquez's son-in-law.

  "And on behalf of Miss Hillson, I am her representative of taking care of her business affairs to MCGC, the reason I was here in P Country." Pitt chimed in.

  "Technically, she owns a huge percentage of this hotel." Gigi echoed. She added, "I'm just asking a few tables, not to empty the entire restaurant. What do you think, Manager Lee?"

  Hailey dropped her mouth open. She wants to slap her forehead from shock because Gigi doesn't want to stop, and the boys certify the claims.

  Now there is no turning back. So much mess to settle from here on!