Chapter 8:
“Do you think you can just cancel the collaboration like this? Who do you think you are?” Cecily snapped back aggressively. She was unaware that she was speaking to Alexander’s wife, Jolie, not recognizing her at all.
In Cecily’s eyes, Jolie was just a fool tricked by Elena.
Cecily, intent on escaping without paying for the damage, grabbed Sylvia and attempted to exit the store, indifferent to the damaged ruby. She wanted Elena to pay for the damage.
Yet, Elena had no intention of allowing them a graceful exit. They had tried to frame her and even dared to malign her right in her mother’s presence—Elena was resolute that their actions would cost them dearly today.
Cecily used to be a familiar face at the dime stores, and Benjamin was once a mere employee. It was Elena’s backing that had propelled the Reed family to its status today.
Despite Cecily’s current wealth, her miserly ways persisted. Extracting money from her was impossible.
“You think you’re leaving without forking out that fifty million?” Elena confronted Cecily fiercely.
“A necklace worth fifty million? This has to be some kind of scam!” Cecily exclaimed, clutching her purse.
The store clerk, her face clouding over, corrected Cecily sternly, “Madam, you are in a Helena exclusive boutique. Each piece here is a unique creation by Helena herself. There’s no fraud involved.”
The clerk realized that Cecily and Sylvia were the ones who truly couldn’t afford a piece here. The nerve of them mocking others for a supposed lack of funds earlier. Their failure to recognize Jolie exposed their ignorance.
The clerk regarded Cecily with visible contempt. “If it’s beyond your means, you shouldn’t have walked in.”
“What was that? Who do you think can’t afford it?” Cecily retorted, infuriated that even a store clerk dared to insult her. The Reed family’s wealth was well known in Foiclens.
Cecily immediately dialed Benjamin’s number to demand money, only to receive a furious scolding. “Idiot! How am I supposed to conjure up fifty million for a…”
“Necklace? Our stock is tumbling, and we’re depending on a deal with the Harper Group. Come home now!” Elena’s eyes flickered when the news of the stock crash reached her ears.
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As the color drained from Cecily’s face, Sylvia too felt the sting of humiliation wash over her.
A crowd began to gather, their eyes fixed on the unfolding drama.
Cornered by the onlookers, Sylvia hesitantly made a call to Darren. Renowned as Foiclens’ wealthiest family, the Griffiths held significantly more power than the Reeds.
Learning of Sylvia’s plight, Darren didn’t hesitate to transfer fifty million to her account.
With the funds now in their possession, Cecily and Sylvia departed in a cloud of shame, tightly gripping the ruby necklace they had managed to buy.
Meanwhile, Elena and Jolie wrapped up their shopping spree and headed back to the opulent Harper Manor.
That evening, Jolie, fully aware of the mistreatment Elena had endured with the Reed family, felt a profound empathy for her and found herself unable to eat much at dinner.
The following day broke with Elena, ever the early bird, jogging around the estate grounds.
As Elena finished her run, she was surprised to see the Reed family waiting at the door. What were they doing here?
Upon spotting Elena, Cecily’s rage reignited, thinking about the fifty million they had spent the day before. She was seething, prepared to confront Elena aggressively.
Next to Cecily, Benjamin’s astonishment was evident as he eyed Elena warily, puzzled by her presence in such a secure location. The estate boasted elite security, staffed by ex-military personnel, and even he himself had found entry challenging.
“How were you able to enter?” Benjamin questioned.
Quick to support her husband, Cecily interjected, “Did you sneak in here to steal something?”
Elena regarded them with disbelief, retorting sharply, “Are you blind? Didn’t you see me enter just now?”
With those words, Elena turned and walked into the house, leaving them dumbfounded.
Benjamin stood speechless, baffled by her audacity.
Just then, Declan, the family driver, approached the door. Spotting Elena, he greeted her warmly. “Miss Harper, finished your morning exercise?”
Acknowledging him with a nod, Elena continued on her way.
Benjamin’s confusion quickly morphed into surprise. Was this the same man who had fetched Elena before? Soon, everything seemed to click for him. It appeared that Elena’s biological father was none other than the Harper family’s driver. For someone from a modest background, driving for a prestigious family was a notable occupation. This explained Elena’s presence here. Clearly, Elena hadn’t gone back to her broke home. Perhaps she was employed as a maid by the Harper family.
Putting on a smug grin, Benjamin said to Elena, “So, you’re a maid for Mr. Harper now? This isn’t the Reed family’s place, so keep your hands to yourself. If anything goes missing, you’ll end up behind bars.”
