Chapter 61

Laura's POV

The bright lights of the shopping mall made me squint as we stepped inside. The cool air-conditioning was a welcome relief from the warmth outside, but my mood was still sour from being dragged out of bed.

Kelvin walked beside me, his usual commanding presence making people instinctively step aside while some admired his godly handsomeness. His expression was unreadable, but I knew him well enough to sense the satisfaction beneath his calm exterior. He enjoyed dragging me along to these things, probably just to irritate me.

Still, I wasn’t going to complain too much. If I had to suffer through three days of social torture, I might as well look good while doing it.

We walked into one of the most luxurious boutiques in the mall, and I immediately started browsing. The soft fabric, the intricate designs, yeah, I was in heaven.

I picked up a deep red evening gown, running my fingers over the smooth material. Just as I was about to lift it off the rack, another hand landed on the same dress.

I blinked, turning to see a tall, striking woman with sleek black hair and cold, calculating eyes. She looked expensive, diamond earrings, a designer handbag, and an air of entitlement that made my skin prickle.

Her gaze flicked over me, taking in my appearance as if assessing whether I was even worthy of touching the dress.

"Excuse me," she said in a clipped tone. "I believe I saw this first."

I arched a brow, refusing to let go. "Really? Because I’m pretty sure my hand was on it before yours."

Her lips curved into a smirk, but there was no warmth in it. "I don’t think you understand how things work, sweetheart. When I want something, I get it."

I let out a slow breath, biting back the urge to roll my eyes. "Congratulations. Unfortunately for you, I also happen to like this dress. So maybe try another one?"

She narrowed her eyes, clearly not used to being challenged. "Do you even know who I am?"

Before I could respond, a familiar voice cut through the tension.

I turned around at the sound of heels clicking aggressively against the boutique’s polished floors.

Clarissa and Jane.

My stepmother and stepsister, the two people who had made it their life’s mission to remind me that I didn’t belong. That I was a mistake, and someone to be discarded.

And just my luck, they were here, arms full of designer shopping bags, looking like they had just stepped out of a fashion magazine.

"Stacy!" Jane called, her voice filled with forced sweetness as she hurried over. "We’ve been looking everywhere for you!"

Of course. They knew her. Birds of the same feather, flocking together.

Clarissa, ever the picture of calculated poise, barely glanced at me as she reached Stacy’s side. "What’s going on, dear?"

Stacy sighed dramatically, as if I had personally ruined her day. "Just a little misunderstanding," she said, her voice dripping with faux innocence. "I was about to purchase this dress when… shegot in the way."

She didn’t even say my name.

Jane's eyes flickered to me, and a cruel smile spread across her lips. "Oh, Laura. What a surprise."

"Not a pleasant one," Clarissa added, tilting her head. "You must be lost, darling. This boutique isn’t exactly in your… price range."

A sharp, mocking laugh left Jane’s lips as she pretended to inspect my outfit. "I have to admit, I’m shocked. I didn’t think you were the type to sell your body for money."

I smirked at the useless comment. They were like idiots, quick to forget things. That's what I wanted.

I squared my shoulders, gripping the dress tighter. "You guys really don’t get tired, do you?"

Stacy sighed, clearly bored. "It’s fine, ladies. No need to waste time on her."

But Jane wasn’t done. She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "I don’t know what game you’re playing, Laura, but let me remind you, you don’t belong in Kelvin’s world. And trust me, he’ll realize that soon enough."

I ignored her like dirt and looked around, searching for Kelvin, but of course, he was gone.

Typical.

He had a habit of disappearing when things got interesting.

Fine. I could handle this on my own.

I met Stacy’s gaze and smiled sweetly. "You can't have the dress”.

I yanked the dress out of Stacy’s grip, feeling a small thrill of satisfaction as her perfectly manicured fingers slipped off the fabric.

Her expression darkened instantly, her eyes flashing with disbelief and rage. “Excuse me?” she hissed, reaching for the dress again.

I took a deliberate step back, holding it out of her reach. “You heard me,” I said coolly. “You can’t have it.”

Stacy’s jaw clenched, and in the next second, she lunged forward, grabbing the other end of the dress.

We both held on, locked in a silent battle of wills.

The boutique's attendants rushed over, their faces apologetic. "Ladies, please, let's not make a scene," one of them said, trying to intervene.

Stacy's grip on the dress tightened, her eyes flashing with anger. "This... woman is being unreasonable," she spat, her voice dripping with venom.

The attendants exchanged a nervous glance, and one of them leaned in, his voice low. "I apologize, miss, but I think it would be best if you let Ms. Stacy have the dress."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Why?"

The attendant's eyes darted to Stacy, and he nodded subtly. "Ms. Stacy is a... valued customer. We can't afford to offend her."

I realized that Stacy must be someone important, someone with influence and power. The attendant's words were laced with a hint of fear, and I understood that they were trying to avoid a confrontation.

I smirked, my grip on the dress tightening. "I wasn't aware that being a valued customer meant you could belittle others," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm not someone to be belittled either."

Stacy's face turned red with rage, and she tugged harder on the dress. I refused to let go, my fingers digging deep into the fabric. The dress began to stretch, the seams straining under the pressure.

The attendants tried to intervene, but it was too late. With one final tug, the dress ripped, the sound echoing through the boutique.

I smiled, satisfied, and released my grip on the dress. She was left standing, the torn fabric clutched in her hands, her face twisted in anger. Clarissa and Jane watched with shock.

I reached into my purse and pulled out my black gold card. "I'll pay for the damage," I said, handing the card to the attendant.

The attendant's eyes widened in numb surprise and they accepted the card with shaky hands.

“You think you can just buy your way out of this?" Clarissa spat, with her eyes almost popping out.

I shrugged, unconcerned. "Why not? It's not like I'm going to let you walk all over me."

The attendant returned with my card, and I signed the receipt with a flourish. "Thanks for the entertainment," I said, smiling sweetly at Stacy.

With that, I turned and walked away, leaving her standing amidst the ruins of the dress, her face purple with rage.