Chapter 16: Chapter 16

Even though it was a top-notch counterfeit, not exactly a fortune, how could she just hand it over to Annie like that? Yolanda put on a pitiful act, saying, Annie, this bag almost wiped out half of my monthly allowance. Now I’m almost broke.”

Annie found it odd. “But Grandma Amanda already gave you some pocket money this morning, didn’t she?”

“Those few bucks just disappeared on a couple of clothes. But look at you, winning hundreds of thousands in one go.” Yolanda couldn’t help but feel envious. She wasn’t like Jessica and Annie, still riding the gravy train with Mom and Dad. Dodging Dad’s requests for cash was already a stroke of fortune. Monthly, she was scraping by on Amanda’s handouts. Without a hustle of her own, how would she even make it? So, she picked Annie as her cash-fallback.

Annie seemed to catch on and exclaimed, “I was just kidding, Yolanda. How can I take such a pricey bag for free? How much did you dish out for it? I’ll just pay you back.”

Yolanda’s heart leaped with joy, and she feigned sorrow. “I really dig this bag, but it’s not my fit. Since you’re into it, let’s make a deal. Fork over 30 thousand dollars, and it’s yours.”

Annie nodded, “Definitely a steal compared to retail. I’ll cancel the one I ordered.”

“What?” Yolarida was stunned.

Just then, the doorbell rang. A delivery person stood there with a package, presenting it graciously. “Hey there, Ms. Annie Sanders, this here is the LK alligator leather pure blue mini crossbody bag Please check and sign off on the delivery.” It was the bag Annie had ordered earlier.

Annie opened the box, pulled out the bag, and gave it a quick once-over. “This can’t be a knockoff, can it?”

“Nah, this one’s legit from the store. Each bag comes with a unique code and an anti-counterfeit label. If you’re in doubt, hit up the official site to check,” the delivery guy assured.

“But…” Annie glanced at Yolanda’s bag. “Why does it feel so off compared to this one while they’re the same style?”

The delivery guy picked up Yolanda’s bag. Not bothering to look inside, he declared, “This one’s a fake. The quality gap was glaring.

Yolanda, regaining her senses, blushed in embarrassment. “What’s Yolanda’s deal? Did she buy the real deal on purpose to make me look bad?”

Rage bubbled up in Yolanda, but before she could react, Annie jumped in, appalled. “Yolanda, you got duped! What kind of friend sells you fake stuff!”

Yolanda paused before thinking about it and quickly shifted the blame. “I had no idea he was shady!” she fùmed, playing the victim.

“But that doesn’t make sense,” Annie said puzzled, “‘s one thing if I can’t spot the difference. But Yolanda, you’re a fan of the brand. Can’t even tell real from fake?”

Those words felt like a sharp jab, hitting Yolanda’s sore spots. She felt the urge to grab scissors and tear the bag to shreds right away. She had meticulously crafted : only to be humiliated.

superiority complex over Annie, Annie sighed. “I envy Jessica a ton. She scores bags left and right, even rare limited editions. Yolanda, you and Jessica are tight. Hasn’t she ever tossed one your way?”

“How could she?” Yolanda’s voice dripped with bitterness, brimming with envy. She knew well Jessica had a stash of high-end bags but never lent or gifted her any. If Jessica did share, it was always an old one, more like charity. Despite both being Sanders daughters, their lives were worlds apart.

Reading Yolanda’s face, Annie could sense success halfway. In the past life, Yolanda tricked her out of 30 thousand dollars with this fake bag. This time she’d use it to sow discord between Jessica and Yolanda.

Annie said leisurely, “I disagree with what Grandma Amanda said earlier. While some families prefer status in marriage, many others go for love and compatibility. Seems Jeremy isn’t eyeing Jessica any particular way. Who knows who he’ll end up with?”