Chapter 482

The boutique air crackled with tension as Chelsea Kent, the impeccably dressed store manager, glided toward Evelyn Carter and Beatrice Harrington. "Ms. Whitmore and Mrs. Whitmore, how may I assist you today?"

Penelope Whitmore's shrill voice cut through the perfumed air. "We've got a thief here! Shouldn't you verify stolen property?" Her manicured finger jabbed toward the VIP card in Evelyn's hand.

Chelsea's perfectly arched eyebrows lifted as she examined the platinum card. "Miss Carter, is this membership yours?"

Evelyn shook her head calmly. "It's not mine."

Penelope's triumphant cackle echoed off the marble floors. "See? She doesn't even know where she got it! Probably picked someone's pocket!"

Beatrice's lips curled into a cruel smirk. "Evelyn, darling, a street rat will always be a street rat. No amount of pretending can change that."

The fitting room door burst open with enough force to rattle the mirrors. Olivia Montgomery stormed out, her designer heels clicking like gunshots. "Who the hell do you think you're calling a street rat?"

Recognition flashed across Olivia's face as she took in Nathaniel Whitmore's mother and cousin. Years of suppressed rage bubbled to the surface. While Evelyn's brothers might play diplomat, Olivia had no such restraint.

She jabbed a finger at Beatrice's surgically-tightened face. "You wrinkled old bat! At your age, you should know better than to bully young women. Where'd your manners go - get botoxed out with your wrinkles?"

Beatrice's face turned an alarming shade of crimson. "How dare you! Do you know who I am?"

Olivia rolled up her sleeves. "I know exactly who you are - Nathaniel's nasty mother who made Evelyn's life hell. And I might just show you what happens to bullies."

Evelyn quickly stepped between them. "Olivia, please. We're in public." Her calm voice contrasted sharply with the electric tension.

Olivia snorted. "Public? These vipers don't deserve civilized treatment!"

Beatrice's diamond rings flashed as she gestured dismissively. "Oh look, the gutter rat found herself a matching friend. How... predictable."

Penelope seized the moment, snapping at Chelsea. "Call security! These thieves need to be arrested for fraud!"

Olivia burst into laughter. "Fraud? Over a shopping card? Did you time-travel here from the Victorian era?"

Chelsea hesitated, her gaze darting between the wealthy Whitmores and the unfamiliar but fierce Olivia. With a nervous gulp, she reached for the store phone. "I... I should contact the card's owner."

The moment Chelsea dialed, a phone erupted in ringing from the VIP lounge. Every head swiveled toward the sound.

Penelope gasped. "The owner's here?" The blood drained from her face as the implications sank in.