Chapter 99
Andrey didn’t turn around. In the reflection of the shop wirides opposite her, she end branded shopping bag, herk licking at the walked ver
nearing face. Valerie was dressed to impress, holding a
dayton and I are offietally married, Valerie Raunted the red marriage certificate in Audrey’s face with a smug grin. “Even if you foreld him to divorce you, he still chose me I’m now the fightful Mrs. Patel”
Audrey had no intention of engaging. She turned to the shop assistant with a smile. “Could you please get me the detailed info for this bag?”
The shop assistant, seeing Audrey dressed in ‘common brand, clearly assumed she wasn’t a real customer. Her smile froze a little as she reluctantly placed a brochure on the counter.
Valerie grabbed it before Audrey could.
“This bag’s a bit too big. Not very versatile,” she said, eyeing Audrey up and down. “You always did like oversized bags. Fits your style, I suppose. Too bad It’s way out of your league.”
Audrey snatched the brochure back in a flash. The sharp edge of the paper left a cut on Valerie’s finger. Valerie shouted out loud.
“What happened?” Clayton walked in just in time to hear her cry out.
“Clayton!” Valerie rushed to his side. “What a coincidence, running into Audrey here.”
She shot a pitiful glance at Audrey and held up her injured finger for him to see. “Audrey liked a bag, and I just suggested she go for something more practical… I didn’t mean to get hurt, and Audrey didn’t do it on purpose…”
Usually, whenever she acted like the victim, Clayton would scold Audrey and take her side. This time, she waited for Audrey to be embarrassed.
But the moment Clayton saw Audrey, his eyes lit up. Whether he went home or to the office, he couldn’t see her anymore. Samson had left Ironhaven, and he hadn’t even been able to visit or say goodbye.
Cheryl had made a scene at the hospital and then again at Starise House. All their old colleagues and neighbors now knew he’d slept around and ditched the woman.
People cursed the Patel family as ungrateful and him as morally bankrupt. Even Wyatt caught strays, with people saying the whole family was trash and Clayton was just a freeloader living off his father–in–law.
Lillian had two emergency room visits from all the stress. Under Cheryl’s endless cursing, she forced Clayton to marry Valerie.
“Audrey!” Clayton ignored Valerie’s finger and walked quickly to Audrey. “Which bag do you like? I’ll buy it for you.”
Valerie was stunned. They were already married! Clayton’s money was hers now!
“Clayton!” She quickly grabbed his arm. “As long as Audrey stops going after the Patel family, gifting her a bag is no big deal. But that particular bag has to be pre–ordered. Only members can buy it.
“This bag might be better–affordable, and suits Audrey’s style.” Valerie pointed to a discounted model beside her. “It’s still over three thousand dollars- not exactly cheap–but way more practical than that forty–thousand–dollar one.”
Clayton frowned. He hadn’t expected the bags here to be so expensive.
Audrey ignored them both and carefully checked the bag’s height and depth to make sure it could fit what she needed.
Seeing her silent, Valerie mocked, “You and Clayton used to split bills, and you never bought luxury. Now that he’s offering to gift you something, you’re going for the most expensive? Wow, you’re more vain than I thought.”
Clayton also thought it was pricey, but he had never really given Audrey gifts during their marriage. Now that he had been forced to marry Valerie, a
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sense of guilt tugged at him.
He picked up the bag that cost a little over three thousand dollars. “Audrey, honestly, this bag’s pretty nice. You work at Stride Commerce–carrying something too luxurious wouldn’t be appropriate.”
Audrey turned around, visibly annoyed. “Are you two done barking? If so, get lost.”
“Audrey Clayton’s face changed slightly. He held back his frustration. “I liked how gentle you
used to be…”
Audrey gave a cold laugh. “Don’t. Your ‘like‘ makes me sick.”
Clayton’s face turned completely dark. He couldn’t figure out why she was acting like a porcupine now. So sharp and untouchable.
Valerie snapped, “You’re disgusting. How did you even end up marrying Clayton? You’re just jealous he had me in his heart all along. You’re just trying to say nasty things to hurt him. Whatever you had before, Clayton is my husband now. Show some respect,”
Audrey smiled, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes. She pointed at the store entrance. “I wouldn’t even look at you if you weren’t yapping in my face.”
“Audrey, without Clayton, you wouldn’t have survived in Ironhaven. The second you saw trouble at his firm, you ditched him for someone richer. You only like sweet times and can’t handle hardship. You’re just a gold–digging social climber.”
Audrey raised her hand and slapped her across the face.
The slap was so sharp and crisp that the shop staff froze. They thought that was brutal.
Valerie’s ears rang, her mouth tasted blood, and even her back molars felt loose. She clung to Clayton’s arm, eyes brimming with tears.
Clayton’s brow furrowed even deeper. No one knew better than him–when Audrey married him, the law firm was on the brink of collapse. It only started getting business afterward.
And during the marriage, Audrey never bought expensive things. She never even minded that his money was all managed by Lillian. Sure, she had a temper, and hitting someone was wrong, but Audrey was never a vain person.
Clayton said, “Audrey, I apologize on Vally’s behalf,”
Valerie stared at Clayton in disbelief. She was the one who got slapped. Now that she was Clayton’s wife, Clayton should be defending her and putting Audrey in her place.
“A verbal apology doesn’t cut it,” Audrey said, shaking her numb Hand, eyes cold. “A scumbag should get punished really hard. If you can actually take it, I might consider forgiving your cheating.”
Clayton clenched his fists. “Audrey, we were married. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”
“If it means nothing to you, then don’t bother begging for forgiveness.” Audrey turned to the shop assistant. “I’ll take this bag.”
The sales assistant had been enjoying the drama–the mistress challenging the ex–wife, the cheating husband trying to win the ex back.
Then Audrey suddenly called her over, snapping her out of it. “Are you sure you want this one? It’s a presale item at eighty–seven thousand–only members can reserve it.”
Audrey said, “I’m sure.”
“Can you stop pretending?” Valerie couldn’t swallow her anger. “You can’t afford that bag. And you’re not even an SR member. Do you know how much you have to spend to become an SR member? You’ll never earn that much in your lifetime.”
Audrey pulled out a card from her bag and handed it to the clerk.
The clerk quickly went to swipe the card.
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Audrey, you don’t need to put on a show for me. Even though we’re divorced, I’d still help you if you were in trouble.” Clayton thought Audrey didn’t how to pretend in front of him. He knew her financial situation well.
The clerk quickly returned, handing Audrey the card and receipt with both hands, smiling brightly. “Thank you for your patronage. Please leave an address: once the bag arrives, we will deliver it to you.”
Valerie snatched the receipt, her voice sharp. “There’s no way you’re a member! SR members have to spend at least 300 thousand dollars. Audrey, you don’t have that kind of money in your life!”
