Chapter 14 Setting up Alice
Alice entered the mall, planning to browse casually for a bit.
+8 Pearls
This was one of the most bustling areas in Mapleford, with a wide variety of goods on display. They had everything a person could think of.
As she passed a jewelry store, a sales associate named Britney immediately launched into an enthusiastic pitch, practically dragging Alice into the shop.
“Miss, take a look at this—these gold hook earrings just arrived. See? They’re inlaid with emeralds. Understated yet luxurious. They’d look amazing on you.”
As Britney spoke, she reached out, ready to help Alice try them on.
Alice raised her hand to stop her. “I’m just looking around. No need to follow me.”
Britney gave her another once–over, this time with a clear hint of disdain in her eyes.
Shelookedwealthy, butitturnedoutshewasjusttryingtokeepupappearances.
What a joke.
Britney didn’t want to waste a second on a customer that she thought wasn’t going to buy anything. She quickly turned away to serve other shoppers.
Alice wandered through the store and eventually spotted a pair of solid gold earcuffs,
The shop was quite large and divided into three main sections: outer, middle, and ́inner.
The further inside you went, the more expensive the items became.
Alice was still in the outer section, where prices were relatively affordable–something even a modest middle- class shopper could manage.
In the middle section, Sandy had picked out two or three sets of jewelry. She pursed her lips and grumbled, “Your new arrivals always take forever. I’ve waited for so long.
Britney glanced at Sandy’s selections while mentally calculating her commission. Her smile instantly bloomed.
“Ms. Sandy, no worries. The moment we get pictures of the new items, you’ll be the first to see them.”
Sandy gave a short “Mm” in response and was about to leave.
But just as she reached the exit of the middle section, her eyes landed on a familiar figure.
Her expression instantly soured.
That person was none other than Alice, the same woman who had just married Eric and embarrassed the entire Nolans.
Sandy should acknowledge her as her sister–in–law.
However, Alice could never hold that title in her heart. That honor should’ve gone to Linda, not this country bumpkin.
Every time Sandy saw Alice, she was reminded of how Ruby and Irene had been utterly humiliated. The
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Chapter 14 Setting up Alice
anger boiled up in her all over again.
She clenched her teeth and grabbed Britney’s arm. “Do me a favor.”
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Alice was still browsing when Britney returned, this time holding a tray.
On it was a rose–shaped brooch made of solid gold.
“Miss, this brooch goes perfectly with your outfit today. Would you like to try it on?”
Alice’s eyes fell on the brooch.
She was a very particular person. If she didn’t like something, she wouldn’t even glance at it twice.
But, this design was impressive, and just as Britney said, it matched her outfit nicely today.
Alice picked it up and glanced at it.
“It is nice. How much is it?”
Britney checked the tag. “It’s 100,000. Will you be paying by card, or …
Alice had been planning to pay by card, but she hadn’t brought one today because she hadn’t expected to make any big purchases.
“Send it to Nolans‘ residence,” she said calmly. “I’ll pay when it’s delivered.”
Stores of this size typically offered home delivery.
Once you were a regular, they’d even bring over a selection for you to browse at home.
Britney immediately put on a troubled expression.
“May I ask who you are?”
“Eric’s wife,” Alice replied calmly.
Of course, Britney had heard of Eric–the man who’d been in a coma for years.
But still, she looked a bit troubled. “Miss, I’m afraid that won’t work.”
Alice frowned slightly.
“Sorry, I don’t know you, and you don’t have any proof of identity.”
Alice hadn’t been all that eager to buy anything in the first place. After hearing that, she simply set the brooch back in the tray.
“Forget it. I don’t want it.”
After that, she glanced at her watch. It was about time to check on her shop anyway.
“Wait a second!”
Britney suddenly grabbed her wrist. “You can’t leave!”
Chapter 14 Setting up Alice
Alice’s expression darkened. “What do you want?”
Britney, looking flustered and angry, snapped, “You broke this brooch. You have to pay for it.”
As she spoke, she picked up the brooch and held it up.
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Alice looked at it and noticed one of the rose’s delicate, hollow leaves was bent. From a distance, it wasn’t obvious, but up close, it had clearly lost some of its elegance.
This was a large, busy mall with lots of foot traffic, and now that an argument had broken out, it didn’t take long for a crowd to gather.
Alice was certain she hadn’t damaged the brooch. When she’d returned it earlier, it had been perfectly intact.
Now they were accusing her of breaking it.
The crowd grew larger, and someone among them spoke up.
“I know who she is! Isn’t she the fiancée of Mr. Nolan, the one who’s still in a coma?”
“Wait, isn’t that Linda?”
“No, that’s Alice. She stole Linda’s engagement and even pushed her out of a car! Linda was nearly crippled!”
Alice turned toward the source of the voices.
Two women were clearly putting on a show, one echoing the other’s lies. It was all deliberate.
Her gaze turned ice cold as she glared daggers at them.
The two women immediately fell silent.
Since so many people had gathered, the store manager, William, hurried out of the office.
After hearing what happened, he politely addressed Alice
“Mrs. Nolan, this brooch isn’t expensive for the Nolans. Since it was damaged by you, we hope you can pay for it to avoid any further trouble.”
Britney rolled her eyes from the side. “Maybe she just can’t afford it.”
William immediately scolded her, then turned back to Alice with a much gentler tone.
“Mrs. Nolan, if you didn’t bring any money today, that’s fine. You can leave something as collateral and have someone bring the payment later.”
At that moment, the door to the middle section of the store opened, and Sandy stepped out with a sneer.
“Alice, I thought you had more class than this. You can’t even afford a brooch? Looks like my brother doesn’t care that much about you after all. But since you’re technically my sister–in–law, if you beg me, maybe I’ll lend you the money.”
Suddenly, everything became clear to Alice.
She had sensed earlier that this was all a setup but hadn’t been sure why Britney was targeting her.
Now that Sandy had made her appearance, it all made sense.
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Chapter 14 Setting up Alice
She let out a cold laugh and turned to William.
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“If I really did damage the brooch, I’m willing to pay. But before I do, I think your sales associate should walk us through exactly what happened.
“After all, it’s best to be clear. If your store is bullying customers, it’s good for others to be warned.”
William nodded. He could see her point and looked at Britney.
Britney had clearly prepared her story. She rattled it off smoothly, confidently, and in great detail.
Alice waited until she was finished before speaking again in a soft but firm voice.
“So according to you, I picked up the brooch with my right hand, correct?”
“Yes!”
“And my left hand didn’t move the whole time?”
Britney replied with absolute certainty, “That’s right!”
