The manager arrived swiftly and after understanding the situation, he quickly reprimanded the staff and offered a sincere apology.
The staff, however, wore an expression of clear displeasure, unwilling to accept the reprimand.
“Pack up your most expensive clothes,” I said, pulling out the black card I always carried with me.
This card, Clyde had given it to me. While he had been frugal with his affections, his generosity with money knew no bounds.
The manager’s face lit up. “Of course, I’ll arrange that for you right away.”
But before he could move, the woman at the checkout muttered, “Who knows if the money on that card is even clean.”
Without hesitation, I grabbed the red dress she had been eyeing earlier. “This one,” I declared.
Ignoring her irritable glare, I turned to the manager. I continued, “Evans Group if I’m not mistaken, this store belongs to them, doesn’t it?”
Smiling, I added, “As the young madam of the Evans Family, surely I’m entitled to a little shopping privilege?”
I slid a photo from my wallet, showing the wedding photo of Clyde and me.
In Kansas City, who didn’t know the Evans Family?
The manager, the woman and the staff stood frozen, momentarily struck dumb.
“So, you’re the young madam of the Evans Family?” The manager’s tone shifted instantly, dripping with newfound respect.
The woman, her face drained of color, shot me a guilty look before hastily retreating.
Before she could vanish from sight, I subtly hinted to the manager, “If one employee’s poor service could tarnish the reputation of the entire brand, then…”
The manager didn’t miss a beat. “Rest assured, young madam, such staff will never show their faces here again.”
With my heavy shopping bags in hand, a rare sense of satisfaction washed over me.
When it came to wealth and power, no one compared to the Evans Family.
If I didn’t wield it wisely, what would be the point of such a prestigious name?
By the time I reached home, the clock had long passed midnight.
As I opened the door, I was met with the sudden sting of a slap to my face.
My mother-in-law angrily snatched the clothes I’d bought from the mall, hurling them onto the floor as if they were trash.
“Well, well, Maeve, not only did you stay out late tonight, but you also spent my son’s money so carelessly. Looks like you’ve picked up a few tricks!”
She swung her hand at me in anger, but I blocked it with ease. Her eyes widened in shock and she screeched, “Maeve, what are you doing?!”
I pushed her hand away, treating it like an unwanted object. “What? Didn’t do anything, did I?”
Before I could move, a sharp voice interrupted. “Maeve, how dare you strike Auntie? Clyde won’t forgive you for this!”
Milana stepped in front of my mother-in-law, shielding her as if I were a venomous snake poised to strike.
I touched the stinging red mark on my cheek, smirking. “So innocent, huh? You two were pretty fierce when it was your turn.”
My mother-in-law seethed. “What’s come over you today? What did that message mean? How dare you speak to elders like that?”
Milana didn’t hold back. “Maeve, you’ve crossed the line. As a woman, how can you say such things?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle darkly. “Let me ask you two what that really means. One of you sends a picture of her son dining with another woman to his wife and the other barges into someone’s home in the dead of night to play the role of detective.”
“Isn’t this what you call living without a family? Or is being a mistress really that delightful?”
“And as for elders, do you truly deserve that title?”
Both of their faces darkened in an instant and they were struck dumb, unable to respond.
“You...” Milana’s expression shifted suddenly and she looked as though she might burst into tears. “You’re going too far.”
Her voice quivered, almost like she expected sympathy.
Sure enough, it worked.
“Maeve, enough! Shut up!”
I turned my head and there he was, Clyde’s face a storm of fury.
He marched over, standing beside Milana and my mother-in-law, his voice a thunderclap, “What the hell are you doing? I didn’t go to the hospital, so why are you throwing a tantrum?”
“Apologize to them. Right now.”
