Chapter 30 The Real Reason
Gwen added, “Any RSVP slots purchased from scalpers are considered invalid.”
She raised a brow as she regarded Caitlin and Sienna with mild contempt. “And naturally, you aren’t entitled to one–on -one styling sessions by yours truly.”
Her eyes gleamed as she continued, “But if the both of you spend more than 500 thousand in the store today, I won’t mind attending to you.”
Sienna’s family was well–off, but not so much so that she could splurge hundreds of thousands of dollars on a shopping spree.
Gwen was willing to bet that the 300 thousand dollars Sienna had spent the other day had tanked her savings.
But even if Sienna did blow through 500 thousand dollars today for the sake of pride, it was to Yara’s benefit. Either way, Gwen and Yara had nothing to lose.
Caitlin, being the idiot that she was, said loudly, “Come on, Sienna! Prove her wrong and buy out this entire store just to show that you can!”
Sienna said nothing and refused to budge even under Caitlin’s relentless prompting.
“Strapped for cash, huh?” Gwen mocked. “You got the slots from scalpers just so you could come here to chase the clout, but you don’t even have the money to show for it. I’m afraid I’ll have to ask security to escort you out.”
Gwen did not speak loudly, but her voice carried well enough for the other customers to hear. The ladies of leisure in Bellmont were a vicious bunch, and a few young women vying for gossip had already circulated the debacle on social media and group chats.
Not long after, chimes and beeps rang out across the store, indicating that everyone had gotten word of the confrontation. At once, the crowd around Sienna and Caitlin sniggered at them.
The two ladies grimaced as the humiliation set in. Sienna narrowed her eyes, her face white with anger as she warned,” Get off your high horse, Gwen.”
Gwen was still smiling as her gaze sharpened. “Why should I? I think I rather enjoy looking down on you both.”
After that, two security guards in black shades showed up. They stood behind Caitlin and Sienna, courteously motioning for them to leave.
As the other ladies watched and mocked them, Caitlin and Sienna dashed out of the boutique.
Once they were outside, Sienna was so embarrassed that she did not have the heart to shop anymore. As such, she bade Caitlin a quick goodbye and left in her family car, leaving Caitlin to stomp her foot in anger.
Fuming, Caitlin called Jake.
Jake was in the private lounge of a bar, drinking away his frustration with Bradley and a few other friends, when he got the call from Caitlin. He glanced at the screen before picking up.
“You will not believe what Gwen just did, Jake!” Caitlin shrieked as soon as the call connected, much to Jake’s
annoyance.
The vein in his temple throbbed at the mention of Gwen. He was gruff as he demanded, “What is it now?”
‘Sienna and I were at her boutique, but she picked on us and called us poor in front of everyone! She even had security throw us out!” Caitlin cried. “You have to divorce her immediately! I don’t ever want to see her again!!!
Caitlin was still snarling and shrieking on the other line, but Jake had heard enough and hung up. His brows furrowed as his face darkened, and he downed his drink in one go.
Caitlin had spoken so loudly that even Bradley overheard the conversation. He topped Jake’s drink off and patted the latter’s shoulder comfortingly.
Chapter 20 The Heat Reason
“You know we’re on your side if you choose to file for a divorce from that manipulative woman.
“She tried to use her act of saving your grandma to come between you and Sienna so that she could marry rich. Now that she’s climbed up the social ladder, she turned on your family and picked on Caitlin and Sienna. I told you before-
Deak ill about Gwen. He leveled an
“That’s enough,” Jake cut him off. For some reason, he didn’t want to hear anyone icy stare at Bradley as he demanded, “Have you always thought of Gwen that way?” Noting Jake’s grave tone, Bradley pointed at the other guys playing poker behind him and said, “I’m not the only one. They think so too. None of us hold Gwen in high regard.
“She likely only got the secretary job at Hall Group because of you, and other than that, what skills does she actually have? Don’t tell me you think of her differently.”
Taking a sip of his drink, Bradley drove his point home. “You must have found her to be a crutch if you married her behind all our backs and kept it a secret from the rest of Bellmont.”
Jake’s chest tightened with frustration, and he loosened his tie.
He had chosen to keep the marriage a secret because he wanted to spare Gwen from the unwanted attention that came with the title of “Mrs. Hall“, which would inadvertently get in the way of her life.
He didn’t think that his decision, which had come from good intentions, made Gwen the object of Bradley and the other’s scorn. He hadn’t realized that his friends never saw Gwen as his lawfully married wife.
In retrospect, if his closest friends could think that way, he wouldn’t put it past Gwen to have the same notions about
herself too.
