Chapter 40: Chapter 40: The Phoenix and the Wild Chicken

The saleswoman’s undisguised disdain was almost like she wanted to carve the words "Cecilia Vaughn is a pauper" onto her face.

Mona Summers, who was straightforward, couldn’t tolerate such disdain, and immediately stood up for Cecilia Vaughn.

"What do you mean by that? Do you think we can’t afford it?"

The saleswoman disdainfully glanced over the cheap clothes Cecilia Vaughn was wearing and responded with a fake smile.

"This lady, we never said such a thing."

"However, these shoes are expensive, a limited edition worldwide, the most in-demand new item, and we only have this one pair left."

"If you get them dirty and don’t buy them, our mall could lose money! Are you going to pay if you get them dirty?"

...

Hearing the disdain in the saleswoman’s words, Cecilia Vaughn couldn’t help but chuckle.

She parted her red lips slightly, her voice carrying a faint coldness.

"I’ve been around the major counters in Stellerton for so many years, and I’ve never heard of compensation required for dirtying shoe soles during a try-on."

"Is it perhaps a specific rule at your store?"

The saleswoman’s face turned red and she couldn’t speak for a moment.

Of course, their store didn’t have such a rule, but these shoes were valuable. If someone like Cecilia Vaughn tried them on and got them dirty, and no one wanted them, how would it affect her sales commission?

She just despised women who had little money yet insisted on trying things at high-end counters!

The saleswoman raised her voice, becoming shrill.

"Anyway, we don’t let people try on if they’re just looking and not buying. If you like them, buy them directly; if not, just leave!"

Mona Summers was furious upon hearing this.

"Snobbish! Where’s your store manager? I want to complain."

It’s ridiculous not to try on shoes in a physical store. What if they don’t fit?

Cecilia Vaughn quickly held her angry friend back.

"Mona, it’s not worth getting angry with someone like her."

It’s a waste of time and brings down your mood.

...

Just as Mona Summers was indignantly about to argue with the counter manager, suddenly, two young and pretty figures walked over.

"Wow, I was wondering who was causing a ruckus like a shrew, turns out it’s the Eldest Miss Vaughn and Summers!"

The sharp, sarcastic female voice reached their ears, causing Cecilia Vaughn to pause and look up, her expression slightly froze.

Truly unexpected, Stellerton is so small, running into the two people she least wanted to see.

——Fiona Vaughn and Chloe Alden.

...

Fiona Vaughn wore a light pink knee-length dress, with long curled hair draped over her shoulders, not only looking gentle and beautiful but also particularly pure and charming.

And next to her, holding her arm, Chloe Alden had a completely contrasting style, with fiery red lips, exaggerated smoky makeup, wearing a large red sleeveless top showing her slim waist, paired with a black mini skirt just covering her hips.

One has to say, Chloe Alden’s outfit showcased her eye-catching figure, but standing next to the snow-lotus-like Fiona Vaughn, she was starkly portrayed as an inappropriately dressed girl with a lost future.

Chloe Alden at this moment, eyed Cecilia Vaughn and Mona Summers arrogantly.

"Cecilia Vaughn, Mona Summers, you two are really something. Showing up in a place like this when you can’t afford anything, isn’t it embarrassing?"

Cecilia Vaughn immediately frowned, about to retort, but Mona Summers had already jumped in to respond.

"Chloe Alden, don’t think just because your dad is the mayor that everyone has to fear you. Look at your outfit now, does it even resemble a mayor’s daughter? Who’s really embarrassing?"

The makeup is already heavy enough, and with everything exposed, the waist, the chest, and the legs, that skirt is ridiculously short, it looks like a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen.

Mona Summers paused, casting a meaningful glance at the pure and lovely Fiona Vaughn beside her.

"Chloe Alden, don’t you think every time you stand next to someone, you look like a rooster compared to a phoenix?"

"Who are you calling a rooster!"

Chloe Alden was instantly furious, and if not for Fiona Vaughn holding her back, she might have already lashed out.

...

Cecilia Vaughn, hearing her friend’s comparison, couldn’t help but laugh.

After all, having been classmates with Chloe Alden and Fiona Vaughn for a few years, she had seen such scenarios too many times, and she had the most right to speak.

"Fiona Vaughn, these clothes, did you really recommend them to Chloe Alden?"

It really is... scandalous intentions.

Chloe Alden too, the illustrious mayor’s daughter, has not improved at all after all these years. Fiona Vaughn is the water lotus, so what does that make her standing next to?

An ostentatious backdrop highlighting the pure water lotus?

Moreover, the more willful and unruly Chloe Alden is, the more it highlights Fiona Vaughn’s gentle and lovely nature. When these two go out together, anyone would have a better impression of Fiona Vaughn.

Chloe Alden’s reputation has been declining year over year beside Fiona Vaughn, has she never thought about the reason?

...

And hearing Cecilia Vaughn’s words, Fiona Vaughn’s alarm bell immediately went off in her mind.

If a silly young lady like Chloe Alden figured it out, then who would Fiona have to compliment her grace and generosity?

She immediately reddened her eyes, presenting a weak look as if about to cry.

"Sister, please don’t make false accusations, Chloe’s figure is better than mine, such clothing makes her look youthful and beautiful. On what grounds are you maliciously speculating about me?"

Seeing the aggrieved Fiona Vaughn’s expression as if she was about to cry, Chloe Alden’s earlier doubts instantly vanished.

Besides, being praised for her youth and beauty by Fiona Vaughn made Chloe Alden feel elated, her protective urge towards Fiona surged.

Chloe Alden extended her finger, rudely pointing at Cecilia Vaughn’s face.

"You two are truly shameless, jealous of this lady’s figure is one thing, but trying to sow discord between me and Fiona?"

"So poor and so harsh, you two bumpkins can’t stand others being well off!"

Cecilia Vaughn, seeing Chloe Alden being manipulated while still supporting her, couldn’t help but feel sorry for her intelligence for half a second.

"Chloe Alden, think what you want, I wish you a lifetime of friendship with Fiona Vaughn."

...

"Chloe, I didn’t——"

Fiona Vaughn, with reddened eyes, looked up with big, innocent eyes, seemingly wanting to say something to gain sympathy, but Chloe Alden quickly consoled her.

"Fiona, don’t be upset, who else would I trust but you, you’re so good to me..."

"Ignore those bumpkins, weren’t we supposed to be picking shoes for you?"

Chloe Alden said, looking at the stunned saleswoman.

"Salesperson, about the pair of shoes we saw last time? You said size S was out of stock, but you could order them for us?"

The saleswoman snapped out of it, still shocked that Cecilia and the others knew Chloe Alden and her group. But since Chloe Alden called Cecilia a pauper, her judgment was indeed spot on.

For a big client like the mayor’s daughter, she quickly bowed a bit fawningly.

"We did order the shoes, it seems there’s just one pair of size S left, but where did we put them..."

As she spoke, her brows furrowed. When her eyes swept over the white sandals Cecilia Vaughn was holding, they lit up instantly!

"Miss Alden! It’s this pair!"

Before she finished speaking, she actually tried to snatch the shoes from Cecilia Vaughn’s hands——