Chapter 2

"Manager Lambert, don't worry."

"I'm not trying to run off. I'm going downstairs to get my husband so he can settle the bill."

"You can't just block me here. That solves nothing."

Manager Lambert thought it over, then finally dropped his arm and followed me, trailing me all the way down to the next floor.

Even from a distance, I saw Albert lift a ruby bracelet and, with the gentlest motion, fasten it around Gwyneth's pale wrist.

The onlookers beside them couldn't help sighing in envy.

"Gwyneth, is there anything else you want to buy?"

"No, this is plenty."

"I don't want too much luxury. It breeds arrogance in a person."

"God, Gwyneth is so sensible!"

"Anyone else would've just kept buying and buying."

Watching it, something in me went cold.

Gwyneth was still my stepsister, yet Albert was trying on jewelry with her in that intimate, suggestive way, right out in the open.

The moment I walked over, the voices around us fell abruptly silent.

"That's Mrs. Farley."

"Don't say anything. She's petty as they come."

Albert didn't turn to look at me. He stayed focused on fastening the clasp for Gwyneth.

Gwyneth suddenly shivered and pushed Albert away, putting on a frightened, uneasy face.

"Sister!"

Albert's face darkened at once.

"If you had any sense of propriety, you'd know to keep a proper distance from your sister's husband, no matter the time or place."

"Not wait until I show up to understand it."

My voice dropped a degree too, and I turned to look at Albert.

"Weren't we agreed that you'd apologize to me, book out three floors of counters, and let me take my pick of the luxuries? So why did you bring her here?"

The air went taut as a drawn bow, and no one around us dared make a sound.

Albert didn't answer my question right away. Instead he reached out and took Gwyneth's hand.

As if to give her all the backing she needed, enough that she wouldn't have to fear me.

"Belinda, I'm not one of your Cooleys."

"I'd advise you to watch your tone when you speak to me. Be more polite."

"After all, your Cooley family only survives because of me."

Someone couldn't hold back a snort of laughter. It was aimed at me.

"What's this?"

His sudden coldness caught me off guard.

"Nothing. I just wanted you to get a taste of what it feels like to be accused of stealing luxuries."

My pupils gave a violent shudder, and a wave of unease rose in my chest.

From coming with me to the mall, to my cards vanishing, to his disappearing act right when I needed him.

To avenge Gwyneth, he'd set out to spitefully turn all of it on me.

I frowned, at a loss, and held his gaze.

He only laughed easily. "Looking at me like that won't change anything."

"Wasn't it you who wanted three floors booked and the tags cut off?"

"Since you did it, you're the one who pays."

The moment he finished, the people around us let out a breath.

"No need to panic, everyone. Turns out Mr. Farley doesn't love her the way the rumors say."

"Tsk, as arrogant and rude as she is, I wouldn't dare marry her either, if I were a man."

"If he treats Mr. Farley this way, he'll treat her stepsister even worse."

The strangers' words fell into Albert's ears, and no doubt they only made him pity Gwyneth more.

Right then, Gwyneth pulled her hand free of Albert's, walked straight over, and slapped me across the face.

"Sister, I was always so afraid of you. But to get justice for my mother, I've decided to teach you a lesson."