Chapter 28
Everbright Mall was the top luxury shopping center in Itera City.
Tessa walked in arm-in-arm with Matilda. When she spotted the handmade ice cream shop on the first floor advertising new flavors, she sighed, “Too bad I’m on my period. Otherwise, I’d really want to try them.”
That reminded Matilda of Ruth suggesting Tessa should start trying for a baby. She asked, “Are you and Zack planning on having kids?”
Tessa shook her head. “I’m not having children for Zack.”
Matilda was surprised, but since Tessa didn’t add anything more, she let it go.
They headed into a clothing store, where Tessa helped Matilda pick out colors that suited her.
A group of wealthy ladies walked in, and the sales staff immediately apologized and left Matilda and Tessa to greet the new arrivals.
Matilda didn’t mind and kept browsing until she heard someone say, “Isn’t that Mrs. Grimes? Hey, Shelby, your ex-sister-in- law is here.”
Matilda instinctively rolled her eyes. Just her luck-running into annoying people the moment she stepped out.
Tessa whispered, “Matilda, should we head to another store?”
Matilda usually never backed down from a fight, but with a job interview ahead, she didn’t want to waste energy on Shelby.
She nodded and took Tessa’s hand to leave, but one of the women stepped out to block them.
Matilda noticed that the woman wore a Crossen Technology Infinity Watch.
Looking around, she realized these were the same women whom Shelby had clung to at the Serenity Group’s private dinner party. Every one of them had an Infinity Watch on their wrist.
The Infinity Watch was a cutting-edge projection watch that could replace a phone and link to all kinds of devices.
Brandon and her team had developed it together. Only a hundred existed so far, yet pre-orders had already passed a million.
It was marketed like a crown-wearing one made people feel superior to everyone else.
Matilda had once wanted to gift one to Tessa, but Brandon had said even government officials had to wait in line.
Yet Shelby could casually hand out several as gifts.
Frustration swelled in Matilda’s chest.
Today, Shelby wore a custom Serenity Group dress with a cinched waist, the flowing fabric shimmering under the lights.
She smiled sweetly. “Matilda, I haven’t seen you in a few days. I’ve actually missed you.”
Matilda was disgusted by her fake sweetness and tried to lead Tessa around her.
But the woman blocking the way-Tinsley Stuart-spoke up. “Shelby still treats you like family. That’s her being generous. Why are you so ungrateful?”
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Another woman added with a sneer, “You still think you’re Brandon’s darling, acting so high and mighty. Who are you trying to impress? Even the clothes you’re wearing are probably hand-me-downs. Only beggars wear other people’s castoffs.”
The women giggled, and their Infinity Watches lit up with laughing emojis, picking up their excitement.
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Matilda bit back her anger. She didn’t want to stir up more trouble right now.
Tessa, though, knew Matilda well. Matilda had never been one to swallow humiliation-she always struck back. Seeing her hold it in broke Tessa’s heart.
Matilda pulled Tessa along to leave.
Tinsley laughed behind them. “The stray mutt is running off with her tail between her legs.”
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Matilda still didn’t react, but Tessa couldn’t stand it. Usually soft-spoken, she turned red, her chest heaving. “Mrs. Stuart, Matilda hasn’t done anything to you! Don’t go too far.”
Tinsley gave Tessa a look of disdain. Matilda immediately pulled her behind, shielding her.
Tinsley sneered, “You two sure are close. What a coincidence-Shelby and I are just as close. She has such a pure, kind heart. What’s wrong with me standing up for her?”
Shelby gazed at Tinsley with watery eyes, acting deeply moved.
“You’re just… just being unreasonable,” Tessa stammered, clearly not good at arguing.
Matilda stepped forward, calm as ever.
She circled Tinsley slowly, eyeing her from head to toe. “Mrs. Stuart, you’re elegant and wealthy, dressed head to toe in Serenity Group’s custom pieces. Any one of your accessories probably costs more than I make in a year. No wonder you look down on me.”
Tinsley sneered, “At least you know your place.”
Matilda’s expression stayed steady. “As far as I know, you’re a TV station director with a modest salary. Your husband works at headquarters. Can those salaries really cover all this designer stuff? I’m curious-where does the money come from?”
Tinsley froze like she’d been choked. All her arrogance drained away.
Matilda’s sharp gaze swept over the others. “And the rest of you? I haven’t bothered to learn who you are. Which prominent families are you from? Why don’t you introduce yourselves?”
Everyone there knew the unspoken rules of business and politics. None of them dared openly challenge her now.
Shelby had wanted to use these women to humiliate Matilda, but instead, they had been silenced. Shelby’s face darkened.
Tessa looked at Matilda in awe. Just a few words from her had crushed them all-she was stunning and fierce at the same time.
Matilda took Tessa’s hand and walked out.
But Shelby followed. “Matilda, you really put on a show back there. Feeling good about yourself? If I were you, I wouldn’t have done that. I did bring them here to put you in your place, but thanks to your speech, you’ve pushed them past defending me to flat-out despising you.”
She sneered and added, “They’ve got money and power. Your life’s only going to get tougher. If you’re smart, you’ll leave Itera City. The world is big-why cling to this place?”
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Are you finished? Stop blocking the way.” Matilda raised her right hand.
Shelby flinched and covered her face with both hands.
“Coward.” Matilda said coldly, shoving past her.
She knew those women wouldn’t be easy to deal with. But since she had already offended them, so be it. If they came after her, she’d deal with it when the time came.
Brandon had wrecked her chance to leave Itera City. Now she had a new job lined up. Brandon and Shelby could wait-she wasn’t going anywhere.
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