Chapter 11
After lunch, Harper went back to her room for a nap.
As promised earlier, Hayden took Lydia to the nearest mall.
当
The bright lights inside the mall and the endless rows of goods made it hard to resist shopping.
Ciara’s eyes sparkled as she carried several shopping bags. Holding Michael’s arm, she said, “Michael, let’s check out that store?”
Michael looked tired. “I need to use the restroom. You go ahead.”
Before Ciara could respond, he pulled his arm away and turned to leave.
Her hand hung awkwardly in the air before dropping down, her eyes full of resentment. She quickly pulled out a bank card
from her bag.
“Today, I’m going to max this card out.” With that, she walked into the store she had just seen.
At that moment, Lydia was browsing through the clothing racks while Hayden wheeled himself behind her.
“Lydia?” A familiar voice came from behind them.
Lydia froze with the clothes in her hand. Every time she heard that voice, she had a bad feeling. Turning around, she saw Ciara’s face–the one that always made her sick.
“Didn’t expect to see you here.” Ciara’s eyes shifted to Hayden, who was behind Lydia.
Hayden’s striking face made Ciara stare in surprise for a moment, but soon it turned into mockery. “You really don’t have standards now, huh? Ended up with a cripple?”
Lydia slapped her so hard her head swung to the side. “Watch your mouth. Call him that again, and I’ll make sure you’re
the one in a wheelchair!”
Normally, Lydia ignored Ciara’s constant jabs, but Hayden didn’t deserve to be insulted–because of her.
Besides, last time when Lydia was at the Hollander residence, Hayden had stood up for her. She wasn’t the type to forget a favor.
Ciara felt the sting on her cheek and pointed at Lydia. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll report you for assault? There are cameras everywhere here.”
Lydia sneered and put the clothes back. “You really think I don’t have proof that you paid off that creep last night? If you want to make a scene, I don’t mind showing the evidence. We’ll see who ends up worse.”
Hayden frowned and quickly sent a text to his assistant Zachary: [Find out what happened at Lydia’s hotel last night. Fast.]
Hearing that, Ciara shut up immediately. She had paid a huge amount to make the hotel take the blame. If Lydia really had evidence, she was done for.
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Chapter 11
Lydia pushed Hayden past her as if nothing had happened.
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The store clerk who had seen everything finally snapped out of shock when they reached her. “How can I help you two?”
“They can’t afford anything. Don’t waste your time on these two losers.” Ciara followed Lydia and Hayden like a shadow, strutting up to the counter and ordering the clerk to bring out the necklace displayed at the center.
“You have a great eye, ma’am. This necklace is one of our store’s treasures.” Seeing the shopping bags in Ciara’s hands, the clerk immediately ignored Lydia and Hayden and focused on her.
“This is a masterpiece by a famous jeweler, with fewer than ten pieces worldwide,” the clerk said with a flattering smile. “Our store is the only one in Jettridge lucky enough to have it.”
Lydia crossed her arms and glanced at the lavish necklace. It was covered in diamonds, glittering under the lights like a river of stars wrapped around the neck.
“Michael might not even be able to afford that necklace,” Lydia said.
Ciara froze with her hand halfway to the necklace.
Lydia had been by Michael’s side for years, managing his company’s affairs. She knew better than anyone how much money he had.
But Ciara had already boasted. Even if she couldn’t afford it, she had to keep up appearances.
“Wrap it up.” Ciara handed over Michael’s secondary card and sneered at Lydia. “So cheap–looking. You think everyone’s as broke as you?”
Finally, she said what she had wanted to say for so long.
Coming from a poor family had always made Ciara feel inferior to Lydia. But now, with Lydia away from Michael, her finances weren’t great either.
Just as Ciara was feeling smug, the clerk said, “Sorry, ma’am. It seems your card has hit the limit.”
The words landed like a thunderclap, freezing the air.
Ciara quickly snatched the machine and swiped several more times, but it still showed the limit.
The clerk carefully took the machine back and gave her a contemptuous look. “Ma’am, maybe you’d like to check out some other pieces?”
Clearly, Ciara was one of those customers who couldn’t afford the item but refused to admit it. The clerk had seen plenty of that before.
Ciara’s eyes darted to Lydia, who was covering her mouth to stifle a laugh.
“Looks like you’re not that important to Michael after all,” Lydia said, enjoying Ciara’s embarrassment.
Ciara’s face turned dark. “Even if I’m not, I’m still better than you. If Michael finds out you’re with another man, let’s see if he still wants you. Without him, you’re nothing.”
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Chapter 11
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Hayden, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke. “Is that so?”
He handed his card to another clerk behind the counter. “I’ll take that necklace.”
The trainee clerk quickly grabbed the card machine from the overly fawning clerk without caring about her obvious displeasure and swiped Hayden’s card without hesitation.
“Payment approved. I’ll pack the necklace for you right away,” she said.
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Lydia took the receipt the trainee handed her and stared at the long string of numbers, a little shocked. No doubt, that necklace was far from ordinary.
Even if Michael was with Ciara, he would’ve thought for a long time before deciding to buy it. But Hayden bought it with just one sentence. Clearly, the Leonard family’s status was no joke.
Hayden handed the neatly packed necklace to Lydia. “It’s yours. Take it.”
His tone was so calm it almost felt like he’d just bought some groceries.
Seeing how furious Ciara looked, Lydia decided to make her even more upset. She smiled at Hayden and said, “Thank you, honey. I knew I was the most important person in your heart.”
But as soon as those words left her lips, she noticed Hayden freeze for a moment.
“I have some work to take care of. Let’s wrap it up for today,” he said, lowering his head to check the texts on his phone, as if he really was busy.
People always looked extra busy when they were flustered.
