Chapter 122: Briena Wants Natalie’s Dress

"We just don’t want beggars here. You may be the daughter of the Ford family, but you were kicked out for secretly marrying someone and betraying your fiancé."

Everyone now recognized Natalie—the woman surrounded by scandals.

"And who are you?" Natalie countered. "A leech from a poor family who clings to her wealthy friend, boosts her ego, acts like her servant, and then deludes herself into thinking she’s rich as well? Wasn’t the dip in the swimming pool last time enough to clean your brain of such delusions?"

Lily was left speechless, and Briena finally spoke up. "Natalie, what are you doing here?"

"Just ordered a tasty meal in this shop and waiting for it to arrive," Natalie replied sarcastically, almost making Julia laugh, while others suppressed their smiles to avoid angering any customers.

They knew Briena well, but seeing Natalie for the first time in person—their very own scandal queen—no one dared to meddle between the two daughters of wealthy families.

"Briena, isn’t this the same dress we came here to buy after seeing it in the brand’s magazine?" Lily asked, trying to divert everyone’s attention from her own embarrassment.

Natalie didn’t react, as she didn’t fancy the dress at all.

"It is," Briena replied and turned to the salesgirl. "Didn’t I make an appointment beforehand and request all the new designs of this brand?"

The salesgirl hesitated but said, "Ms. Briena, when other customers are here for these designs as well, we can’t keep them from purchasing."

Briena sighed and looked at Natalie. "See, I had already chosen this dress. Please take it off so I can try it and buy it. I’m sure you can’t afford it with your current situation anyway."

Natalie chuckled. "I’m not surprised that, once again, you want what I have. But I don’t plan to give it to you. I’m buying this one."

Briena glanced at the salesgirl. "Think about what’s better for your shop and who you want to sell this dress to."

The salesgirls exchanged uneasy glances and then looked at Natalie. "Ms. Natalie, would you like to check other dresses?"

"Unfortunately, I’m only interested in this one," Natalie said, her gaze icy. "Make a bill."

"No need, I’ve already paid for it," Julia announced.

While everyone’s attention had been on the young women, Julia had quietly gone to the billing counter and, with the help of her attending sales associate, paid for the dress.

Natalie hadn’t planned for Julia to pay for the dress, but at this moment, she just accepted it and decided to pay her back once they left the store.

"That was a good call, Grandma."

"All those dramas with evil step-sisters finally came in handy today. I knew she’d want Natalie’s dress, so I paid for it beforehand. So smart of me," Julia commented loudly, making Natalie smile.

"How can you take away what belongs to Briena?" Lily exclaimed.

"For your information, it’s always been the other way around," Natalie sneered. "Get your facts straight in that non-existent brain of yours."

"You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?" Briena asked, suddenly putting on a sad face. "Just because Ivan chose me, you want to take away everything I like." Tears welled up in her eyes. "I never think badly of you, but why do you have to hurt me like this all the time? If you want, you can go to Ivan and try to convince him to come back to you."

Natalie, Julia, and everyone else were taken aback by this sudden change in Briena’s demeanor.

"Briena, what happened?" a man’s voice interrupted, his tone concerned.

"Ivan, Natalie is... she’s doing it again..." Briena choked out, her voice trembling.

Natalie understood the reason of Briena’s sudden pitiful act. ’Damsel in distress and her saviour.’

Ivan held Briena closer, his gaze searching for Natalie, whom he hadn’t seen before due to a clothing stand blocking his view.

But now, as she stepped into the open, the words he’d planned to confront her with were swallowed back. He could hardly believe that this breathtakingly beautiful woman with a perfect figure and captivating presence was the same Natalie he once knew.

In all these years, he’d only ever seen her in professional attire, and now this dress perfectly showcased her slender figure. Compared to her usual dullness, this contrast made her look incredibly fresh and radiant.

He almost swallowed hard at the alluring sight.

Briena noticed how Ivan looked at Natalie. ’It must be the dress that makes her look beautiful. If I wear it, he’ll look at me the same way.’

"Grandma, I’ll change, and then we can leave," Natalie said, dismissing herself from the drama as she walked towards the changing room.

Julia followed her, smiling ear to ear.

"Ivan?" Briena’s sad voice brought him back to his senses, and he finally looked at her. "I wanted that dress for my next piano concert since it has a theme that requires me to wear something like it. I came here specifically for it and even made an appointment in advance, but Natalie took it. What am I going to do now?"

"It’s not the only brand. We can find another dress," Ivan suggested.

"But this one is perfect, and my concert is tomorrow. There’s no more time left to get another and make adjustments," Briena insisted, determined to have it. "They’ve made only one piece of each design. She’s doing this to take revenge on me because of you. She hates me for ’taking you away from her.’"

"You didn’t do anything of the sort," Ivan said gently.

Thick tears rolled down her cheeks as she sobbed. "Then why do I have to suffer like this? Why do I have to bear her hatred?"

"Mr. Brown, you can’t let Natalie bully Briena like this. You should get that dress back for her," Lily interjected.

"It’s alright Ivan. Don’t argue with her for me. I am used to such treatment from her," Briena sobbed, leaning into Ivan.

Ivan hugged her, trying to comfort her. "I’ll talk to her once she comes back."

Briena nodded weakly, a slight smirk forming on her lips. ’If she gives me the dress, then I win. If she doesn’t, Ivan will hate her even more. Either way, it’s my victory.’

Natalie returned from the changing room, and the salesgirl had already packed the dress for her.

Ivan spoke up. "Natalie, can you let Briena have this dress? I’ll pay you double what you paid for it."

"Sure, but I’d prefer ten times more," Natalie responded without hesitation, as if she’d anticipated the offer.

Julia tugged on her hand. "What are you doing, Natalie?"

Natalie gave her an assuring glance. "I can give up a man without any reservations. Besides, it’s just a piece of clothing. I can still make a profit from this deal, right?"

Ivan was taken aback. She truly had given up on him for what he believed to be a gigolo, and now she was admitting it so openly. His pride stung at her words.

"That means it’s two and a half million. Pay it, and the dress is yours," Natalie said coolly.

"What?" Lily exclaimed. "Are you trying to scam people in broad daylight?"

Natalie ignored her and turned her gaze to Ivan. "Take it or leave it."

Ivan sighed and signed the check, handing it over to her. She accepted it gladly. "Grandma, let’s go."

Julia walked away with her, while Lily fumed. "She’s nothing but a money-grubber, I tell you."

Ivan gritted his teeth. This woman, despite being wrong to betray him, how could she not show any regret? At that, why has she started to look beautiful, for her gigolo husband? She never dressed up like this for him ever?

Once outside, Julia chuckled. "That was a good business deal. What are you going to do with the money?"

"Donate it to the orphanage."

Julia hummed in approval. "Let’s head to another store."

"Grandma, how about we eat something tasty instead? Shopping is just boring," Natalie suggested, not wanting to risk bumping into those annoying people again.

Julia understood and agreed.

After enjoying their meal, the two decided to return and made their way to the parking lot.

"Grandma, wait here. I’ll bring the car," Natalie said.

----

Meanwhile, inside a luxury car:

"Briena, look," Lily signalled her to look towards Natalie and Julia.

Briena gritted her teeth, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. "That bitch. I wish I could kill her with my bare hands. Why does she always have to win?"

"Don’t be upset, Briena. She’s wicked, and you’ve always been kind to her—that’s why she gets away with it," Lily said. "How about giving her a scare?"

Briena looked at Lily, seeking clarification. "What do you have in mind?"

"There’s a lot of space here. Just drive the car at speed and get really close from the side," Lily suggested. "They’ll be scared, but they won’t be harmed."

Briena started the car, her grip tightening on the steering wheel as a malicious gleam shone in her eyes.