Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Kept by an Older Man

Cecilia Vaughn didn’t expect such a coincidence, Fiona Vaughn also had her eye on this pair of shoes!

Before she could react, the shoes in her hand were snatched away by the jubilant sales assistant.

"Miss Vaughn, isn’t it? White size S! This must be the pair you asked us to watch out for last time!"

The sales assistant eagerly presented the shoes to Fiona Vaughn and Chloe Alden, her face almost overflowing with flattery.

...

"Thank you, that’s great, I was just thinking of getting these shoes to match my new dress."

Fiona Vaughn seemed genuinely moved and was about to take the shoes when a cool voice interrupted their conversation.

It was Cecilia Vaughn.

"Assistant, is this how your store treats its customers?"

"If I remember correctly, these shoes were on the shelf, and I was the first to decide to buy them."

...

The sales assistant was extremely displeased with this poor college student disrupting her commission, her eyes glaring furiously and her demeanor aggressive.

"Clearly, Miss Vaughn and Miss Alden liked them when they came last week. If it’s about who came first, you’re already a week late!"

"Moreover, you haven’t even paid. Why should the shoes be given to you?"

Chloe Alden was secretly pleased to see Cecilia Vaughn being squeezed by the assistant, and immediately scoffed, lifting her nose high.

"Cecilia Vaughn, look at what you’re wearing, such a shabby appearance. These shoes are worth a few thousand bucks, you can’t even afford them, so what right do you have to obstruct our Fiona?"

...

Cecilia Vaughn saw them harmonizing and didn’t get angry but laughed instead.

Her expression was calm, her almond eyes sweeping over the contemptuous assistant.

"If I remember correctly, according to the consumer protection law, unless you privately set the shoes aside, you can’t claim they were specifically ordered for Fiona Vaughn."

"And items placed on public shelves are available to all customers, by the order of arrival, who indeed has the priority to purchase these shoes?"

The sales assistant, seeing Cecilia Vaughn’s young age, was unexpectedly rattled when she cited the Consumer Protection Act so clearly.

"So what if it is? A broke college student like you still wants to fight Miss Vaughn for shoes?"

Penniless fool! Can’t afford it yet delays me from earning my commission!

...

Compared to the other’s agitated state, Cecilia Vaughn remained calm, with a sort of composure amidst chaos.

"Since your store insists on infringing on a customer’s legal rights, I don’t mind using legal means to defend myself."

Saying this, Cecilia Vaughn took out her phone to start composing a message for the Consumer Association.

"You—"

The sales assistant never expected such a demure-looking Cecilia Vaughn to be such a tough cookie, genuinely not just bluffing.

Alarm rose within her.

Mona Summers, who had been standing beside Cecilia Vaughn, glanced at the ever-silent, pretend-innocent Fiona Vaughn.

"It’s said that a true gentleman doesn’t take what pleases another. Some people, huh, not only like to steal men, now they won’t even leave shoes alone!"

"Maybe stolen things feel better!"

...

Exposed publicly for her unsavory past as a homewrecker, Fiona Vaughn’s face turned somewhat unsightly.

"Mona, what nonsense are you spouting! Tyson and I are true love, it’s nothing like your vile remarks!"

Feeling disheartened even by the white sandals in her hand, Fiona Vaughn feigned generosity and placed them in front of Cecilia Vaughn.

Her innocent big eyes blinked as she sweetly addressed Cecilia Vaughn.

"Sister, since you also like these shoes, I’ll let you have them."

Chloe Alden, unlike Fiona Vaughn with her schemes, didn’t understand why Fiona was letting them go and immediately shouted in displeasure.

"Fiona, why are you giving these shoes to this bumpkin!"

"Chloe! Don’t say that!"

Fiona Vaughn pretended to be magnanimous as she held Chloe Alden’s arm, observing Cecilia Vaughn’s attire up and down, then spoke as if with great sympathy.

"Sister, why are you dressed so shabbily, are you sure you can afford these shoes? Do you need me to cover for you first?"

"A girl’s got to dress up nicely, if you’re short on cash, Mom and Dad would be worried."

Fiona Vaughn’s words were delivered beautifully.

She pointed out Cecilia Vaughn’s shabby state while showcasing her own and Florence Warner’s nobility and tact.

She knew better than anyone that with Cecilia Vaughn’s pride, she’d never resort to asking for money.

And these shoes weren’t cheap, if Cecilia Vaughn didn’t buy them, she’d certainly put Cecilia in a tight spot!

...

Hearing those "caring" words from Fiona Vaughn, Cecilia Vaughn’s delicate brows furrowed, almost nauseated by her fake pretense.

"Fiona Vaughn, stop pretending here! Do you really think people can’t come up with that small amount?"

She did like the design of these shoes, even without Fiona’s provocation she planned to buy them; Fiona truly miscalculated.

"Assistant, I’m checking out."

Hearing this, Chloe Alden and Fiona Vaughn were shocked!

Could it be, even as broke as Cecilia Vaughn appeared, she could still come up with the few thousand bucks for the shoes?

...

The sales assistant was equally incredulous, stupidly walking over.

Cecilia Vaughn had no favor for such sycophants, her expression indifferent as she took out her wallet.

Once opened, what was inside the wallet captured everyone’s attention instantly.

The sales assistant’s gaze was drawn to the outermost black gold card!

Embossed with dragon patterns and unmatched elegance, declaring the owner’s identity.

No way, could it be—

Could this be the legendary Black Gold Card?

But even someone like Fiona Vaughn and Chloe Alden, already considered top-tier customers in the mall, didn’t have it!

...

Fiona Vaughn and Chloe Alden had certainly heard of such a card, both of their pupils widened, desperately wanting to snatch Cecilia Vaughn’s wallet for a closer look.

However, Cecilia Vaughn didn’t give them the chance to thoroughly inspect, she pulled out a normal savings card she used to store earnings from her comics, and handed it to the staff for payment.

...

Seeing Cecilia Vaughn close her wallet, Chloe Alden still couldn’t discern the authenticity of the Black Gold Card, feeling both doubtful and shocked.

"Cecilia Vaughn, where did you get the money?"

"Could it be an old man is sponsoring you?!"

Upon hearing this, Cecilia Vaughn coldly swept her gaze over Chloe Alden, her expression as icy as a river frozen in winter.

"A filthy mind sees everything as filthy."

That icy stare almost sent a shiver down Chloe Alden’s spine, since when did this woman possess such a strong aura?

By the time she realized she’d been insulted, Cecilia Vaughn had already left with Mona Summers.

...

Chloe Alden was extremely unwilling, immediately grabbing Fiona Vaughn and angrily chasing after them.

They happened to see Cecilia Vaughn enter a store nearby, both looking at a black and white satin long dress, also in the out-of-stock s-size, evidently intending to buy it.

Chloe Alden, in a fit of anger, immediately snatched the long dress off the rack and arrogantly signaled to Cecilia Vaughn.

"This dress, I want it!"