Chapter 13

Chapter 13

The car pulled to a halt in front of Instate Plaza. The butler Connor spun around, informing Stephanie, “This is Jacaster’s top shopping center, Mrs.

Fletcher

“Thank you, Connor. Why don’t you take a break and explore a bit? I’ll be fine on my own,” Stephanie suggested, offering a friendly smile.

“Mrs. Fletcher, it’s my duty to assist with your purchases and ensure your safety, especially after the incident at the concert. I couldn’t forgive myself if anything were to happen to you,” Connor insisted with a grave tone.

Seeing the sincerity in Connor’s eyes, Stephanie hesitantly agreed to let him stay by her side,

She made her way to the third floor’s women’s section and stepped into Style Jazz Couture, preferring to shop from her own line.

A sales associate greeted her with a professional smile. “Welcome to Style Jazz Couture! How can I assist you today?”

“I’d like to look around a bit first.” Stephanie replied, her simile just as measured.

“Of course, I’m here if you need any help,” the associate offered.

As she browsed through the selections, Stephanie texted: [I’m at Style Jazz Couture. You here yet?

A swift reply came: I’m on my way!]

The next second, a woman clad in a striking red gown sauntered in, her curly hair cascading down to her waist, sunglasses perched on her nose, and a silk scarf tied elegantly around her neck, radiating allure.

The sales associate moved to greet her, but the “woman,” with a raspy voice, declined, “I prefer to look around by myself, thank you.” She made a beeline

for Stephanie

Trying

g to hide her amusement, Stephanie continued perusing the dresses as the “woman” leaned in and whispered, “Boss, do I look pretty today?”

“You’re the belle of the mall, though your feet might give you away,” Stephanie teased.

Giovanni cleared his throat, complaining.”

“You always find something to tease me about. By the way, the Fletchers have put up a 100 million-dollar bounty on your head.”

“I see. Go ahead and take the orders. We’ll do it on Saturday,” Stephanie said nonchalantly.

Giovanni agreed, “Alright. But boss, this whole marriage bet with Vincent really caught me off guard.”

Stephanie looked at him, saying, “It’s not a bet. You’ll understand.” She handed him a clear bag with white pills, instructing, “Get these tested. I need to know what they’re made of as soon as possible.”

“I’ll head out then,” Giovanni announced, before pointing to a cream-colored dress, “That one looks like it was made for you.””

Stephanie watched him depart, and then turned her attention to the dress he’d recommended. “He’s got an eye. It’s definitely one of Julianna’s designs.”

As she reached for it, another hand s**d the dress first. It was Lucianna Sutton, a former schoolmate and underling of Florence, grabbing the dress.

Lucianna, who had risen from humble beginnings/was extremely obedient toward Florence,

Over the years, she had become a D-list actress under Florence’s wing and now worked for Fantasy Entertainment.

12:42 Sat, 25 May

Chapter 13

Stephanie remembered that in her previous life, Lucianna was diagnosed with AIDS and had infected multiple men.

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Behind Lucianna stood Liam Sawyer, the CEO of Construction Depot, known to Stephanie as one of the men impacted by Lucianna’s future diagnosis.

Lucianna sneered, “Look who it is, if it isn’t Stephanie. I heard about your struggles abroad. And now you show up here, acting all wealthy. How could someone like you step into?” She turned to the sales associate, questioning, “Has Style Jazz Couture dropped its standards? Letting just anyone in now? I’ll take this dress. Charge it to my card”

Liam, eager to impress, offered his card to the associate, his glance at Stephanie smug. “Lucia, pick whatever you like. It’s on me.”

Covering her mouth with a giggle, Lucianna responded, “You always treat me so well. This is all I want.”

As the associate took the card, poised to process the payment, Stephanie interjected, “Wait”

The associate, judging Stephanie’s more modest sportswear against Lucianna’s ostentation, haughtily remarked, “Miss, you’ve been browsing since you entered. If you’re not planning to buy anything, please don’t waste our time. This is Style Jazz Couture, the pinnacle of luxury fashion. Ms. Sutton here is

one of our VIP clients!”

“I want to talk to your manager,” Stephanie directed firmly to the nearby sales associate.

The associate, sensing the situation might worsen, quickly fetched the manager, who approached with a clear understanding of the issue.

Aher acknowledging Lucianna with a nod and bow, she addressed Stephanie, “I apologize, but our VIP clients do get precedence, so the dress will be given to Ms. Sutton,”

“Since when does being a VIP mean you can take items from another customer?” Stephanie challenged.

r scoffed, “You clearly don’t understand how things work among the wealthy. The manager has the discretion to make these decisions. Are

The managers wo clear?

Connor, standing close, whispered, “Do you want me to contact Mr. Fletcher?”

Stephanie dismissed the suggestion with a shake of her head. “No.”

In the manager’s presence, Stephanie made a call and concisely explained the situation. After hanging up, she confidently stated, “This will be sorted out in two minutes”

The manager’s smile was condescending, “Why put yourself through this? You shouldn’t beyond your depth. This isn’t some minor expense, after all. The dress is 122 thousand dollars, not 122 dollars.”

Promptly, the mall’s manager arrived, clearly distressed, and asked, “Which one of you is Ms. Hayes?”

“That would be me,” Stephanie identified herself

He apologized profusely to Stephanie, and then turned to chastise the shop manager, “The head of Style Jazz Couture insists this dress is for Ms. Hayes.”

The shop manager was shocked. “What? But-

“Enough! Prepare the dress for Ms. Hayes immediately!” the mall manager interrupted.

Realizing Stephanie’s potential influence, the shop manager reluctantly directed the associate to package the dress.

As Stephanie was handed the bag, Lucianna’s look was one of bitterness. Lucianna approached, sneering, “You’re just relying on your fiancé. You act tough now, but I doubt he’s even capable in bed,”

5 May

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Chapter 13

The retort was met with a sharp slap from Stephanie, leaving Lucianna in shock, her makeup smeared. “You hit me?”

Stephanie held her head high. “Sounds like someone’s got loose screws

Lucianna frowned. “What?”

“Only someone with a screw loose would spout such nonsense,” Stephanie shot back.

b**h!

Furious, Lucianna yelled, “You b**h!”

Grasping Lucianna’s wrist tightly, Stephanie delivered another slap across her face. “I was wrong. You’re not crazy, just brainless.”

With a forceful push, Lucianna stumbled into Liam, her cheeks marked by the impact. She turned to Liam, playing the victim. “It hurts! You must avenge

me!

Stephanie taunted, “Running to your daddy because you can’t compete?”

Lucianna corrected angrily, “He’s my man, not my daddy!” She then turned to Liam, stating, “Honey, you need to teach her a lesson for insulting both of

ust

Despite being the CEO of a company, Liam was not part of the wealthy circle, nor did he have the privilege to attend the engagement party.

Liam, out of his depth and unaware that Stephanie was from the Hayes family, thought her influence came from a connection with Style Jazz Couture.

He pondered, ‘If it’s someone Lucianna dares to offend, she probably lacks a notable background!

With that in mind, Liam proposed indecently, believing it would settle the matter, “You’re pretty but a bit too feisty. Apologize, spend a night with me, and we’ll forget this happened. Otherwise, I won’t let you off the h**k for this.”

Connor stepped up, asserting, “Sir, your daughter was the one who took the dress and spewed some disrespectful remarks.”

Liam bristled at Connor’s audacity. “Who do you think you are? How dare you talk to me like that?”

Lucianna shot Stephanie a disdainful glance and commented, “Were you that lonely to the extent that you had to get with an old man?”

Connor sternly admonished her, “How dare you disrespect Mrs. Fletcher?”

Confused, Liam echoed, “Mrs. Fletcher?”