Chapter 315
“Wait, wait!” Gina was completely panicked. She snatched the bag from Sharon’s hand and chased after Audrey. “This is the bag reserved by Ms. Whitlow. I’ll personally cover half the cost as compensation. Is that acceptable?”
She didn’t know who Audrey was, but she knew Samson Legal.
Audrey stopped, looked back at Gina, and said, “This bag has already gone through the sales process. Even if it hasn’t left the store, it’s a second–hand
item.”
Gina forced a smile. “I’m so sorry.” She looked at Lena as she might be easier to deal with, and said, “Ms. Whitlow, I can apply for a membership for you.”
She added, “Whenever you visit our store in the future, you can enjoy the best discounts. How does that sound?”
Lena looked at Audrey. Before Audrey could speak, Sharon stepped forward quickly and said, “Samson Legal is a leading law firm in Ashbourne, having handled many high–profile cases. It’s now divided into the Senior Department and the General Department.
“The Senior Department provides targeted services for large corporations and high–net–worth clients, while the General Department takes on complex cases with significant public controversy.
“No matter which department, they wouldn’t represent Lena to fight her case. You’re just scaring Gina, who doesn’t know any better.”
After speaking, Sharon took the bag from Gina’s hand and said, “I’ve already agreed to give the bag to her, but you keep calling it second–hand. Can’t you afford it? I think you’re deliberately staging this with Lena to buy the bag for less money.”
Gina thought Sharon made sense. She had been intimidated by the name Samson Legal earlier and hadn’t thought it through.
Now that she considered it, she wasn’t even sure if the person on the phone was really a lawyer, let alone from Samson Legal.
Lena genuinely liked the bag, and Sharon was willing to give it up to her, but Audrey kept insisting it was second–hand–she must want to pay less.
Gina’s expression changed, now filled with contempt and sarcasm. “Madam, the bag was reserved by Ms. Whitlow. She hasn’t said a word throughout this. Isn’t it inappropriate for you to impose your will on her?”
“She’s my cousin’s wife.” Lena glared at Gina and said, “She’s someone I respect, and I follow her arrangements without question.”
Sharon’s eyes flashed with disdain upon hearing this. “You mean she’ll buy the bag for you? That’s ridiculous. Look at her outfit. Can she even afford it?”
Sharon then pretended to suddenly understand, covering her mouth exaggeratedly. “Don’t tell me you two planned this before coming here—to extort the store for the lowest price?”
Sharon didn’t notice that Irene hadn’t followed. She deliberately let go, dropping the bag on the floor. “Oops, you scared me. If you don’t want the discount, the bag is still mine, even if it’s dirty.”
Lena was disgusted by her act. “Audrey, I feel like vomiting.”
“Me too.” Audrey covered her mouth and made a retching motion. Sylvie immediately handed her a water cup.
Sharon’s expression twitched. Even Ashbourne’s royal descendants weren’t as melodramatic as Audrey.
After drinking water, Audrey gave the cup back to Sylvie and said with a faint smile, “Mrs. Price, no one here knows better than you whether I can hire a lawyer from Samson Legal.”
Talia’s case had no lawyers willing to take it because the opponent was from Samson Legal. Later, Edmund hired a tough lawyer from another state. That female lawyer knew she would lose but had to take the case out of gratitude to Edmund.
Both Sharon and Gina turned to look at Irene. Irene was furious, her hand gripping the bag trembling slightly. Just thinking about her daughter being bullied by criminals in prison because of Audrey made her blood boil.
1/2
Chapter 315
If Talia hadn’t gone to prison, she could still be helping Aaron make money. Now, without her support, the Price family had to settle for marrying into the Hartwell family. All their plans had been disrupted because of Audrey.
Edmund and Michael had both blamed Irene for poor parenting because of Talia’s conflict with Yann. Irene hated Audrey but couldn’t openly confront
her.
“Sharon is just straightforward, not malicious.” Irene walked over slowly. “If we’d known the bag was reserved by Lena, we wouldn’t have bought it. Mrs. Winifred, please show some respect for the years of friendship between our families.”
Iréne reached for the bag in Sharon’s hand, but Sharon refused to let go, clutching it tightly. She didn’t believe Audrey could really hire a Samson Legal lawyer–this was just empty posturing.
Irene forcefully snatched the bag from Sharon and handed it to Lena. “Lena, this bag is a gift for you. Come visit my home sometime.”
“Irene?” Sharon gritted her teeth in anger.
“Sharon, you and Aaron are about to get engaged. Let’s go choose some jewelry.” Irene gave her a meaningful look, and Sharon could only glare at Lena resentfully.
Lena didn’t take the bag, and Audrey certainly wouldn’t either.
Irene’s hand hung in the air, the scene incredibly awkward. As an elder, she thought she’d given Audrey enough face, and Audrey should have gracefully accepted the olive branch.
Irene had given up the bag for Sharon’s upcoming engagement. The worst she expected was them accepting the bag, Audrey saying a few words of gratitude, and then excusing Lena of being spoiled by her family.
But she never imagined no one intended to let the matter drop.
Embarrassed, Irene handed the bag back to Gina and quickly pulled Sharon away. She feared she’d lose control and confront Audrey directly if she stayed.
“Irene, why are you so afraid of her? Who is she?” Sharon asked once they went away.
Irene didn’t want to say, but Sharon’s curiosity was relentless. Finally, she reluctantly said, “She’s Yann’s wife. They just had their wedding not long ago.”
“What?” Sharon exclaimed. “Is that why Talia went to prison?”
Irene frowned deeply, annoyed that Sharon had spoken so loudly about something so disgraceful.
Talia’s trial had been closed to the public, sa few outside the legal circle knew the details. Irene had claimed Talia was studying abroad, but Sharon had just exposed that lie in public, leaving Irene mortified.
Shoppers around them cast odd looks, and Irene quickened her pace toward the elevator.
In the store, Gina saw how deferential Irene had been to Audrey and began to believe Audrey’s story.
She silently blamed Sharon for misleading her. If she’d known better, Gina would have preferred to pay out of her own pocket rather than offend Audrey.
AD
